Valentine Roofing

Valentine Roofing Inc 669 Strander Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188 Lic #VALENR1927J8 Replaced my roof in July 2011. They failed to cut the ridge vents on my new roof to manufactures specifications. Now two years later during an engery aduit the inspector found mold in the attic. Been trying for the last month to get them to repair the defective installation with no success. Very very disappointed. Read the following:Neal, Thank you for e mail dated July 25, 2013 12:15 pm with the link to ridge vent installation, your time and effort to address my concerns. I have done a fair amount of research on attic venting I found not all roofs vent the same way. What works on one roof may not always work on another. I sincerely hope you and Conner will take another look at the whole picture and try to understand the facts as I see them. Regarding Environix I ask them to come inspect and tell me what the mold was from and provide an estimate of the cost for repair. I did not know the manufacture of the ridge vent at that time so I was unable to provide them. This was stated on page 6 under Attic Ventilation of the Environix report. They did not come attempting to sell me anything. On July 12, 2013 I called you after the Environix inspection and told you they said the ridge vent was improperly installed. I offered for you, Conner or another party to come and personally inspect the ridge vent cut out. In my e mail to you dated July 18, 2013 6:17 pm I stated "The issue with my roof and the mold in the attic concerning Valentine roofing is pretty straight forward as I see it. Is the ridge vent installed correctly per the manufactures recommendations and industry standards?" I also stated in the same e mail "If you can show me the ridge vent was installed correctly per the manufactures recommendations and industry standards that would resolve the issue between me and Valentine roofing". Your e mail dated July 19, 2013 1:30 pm you stated "The ridge vent is installed correctly to manufactures specifications". The Quarrix Trimline was installed on my home. You also attached the e mail from Conner dated July 18, 2013 12:35 pm that stated "the ridge vent was installed to manufactures specifications". In my e mail to you dated July 20, 20139:41 pm I ask you "How far is the sheeting supposed to be cut back on each side from the peak for the Quarrix Trimline?" In your e mail dated July 21, 2013 10:14 am You stated "Quarrix calls for the sheeting to be cut back no MORE than 2" measured from the top of the roof deck, it will always appear smaller from the underside due to pitch. Typically roofers aim for between 1 and 1 1/2" ,again, measured from the top. Believe it or not, provided there is open access the width of the cut isn't as important as you might think, the ridgevent works like a vacuum, the combination of warm air rising and the air pressure differential on the outside of the intake venting causes the air to move". On July 23, 2013 I made contact with the Quarrix representative Steve Weller and ask if your statement was correct. Steve told me he did not agree and said the cut would make a difference. I followed up with an e mail to Steve Weller attaching pictures taken by Environix showing how small the cut for the ridge vent is. After calling Steve Weller back to confirm he received the pictures. Steve Weller asks me about the gable vents. I wasn’t sure at first what he was talking about so he explained the vent’s in the picture I had sent him. After I understood Steve Weller was talking about the vents on each end of the upper section of my house. I told him my house was built with them, they have always been there. Steve Weller told me you’re not supposed to install a ridge vent on a home with gable vents it interrupt the air flow. Your e mail dated July 25, 2013 12:15 pm with the link to ridge vent installation where you stated "The pertinent sections for you of the above link are "Detail A" and the "Ridge Vent Installation Instructions" of the PDF". Upon review of detail A I note it specifically states for low profile roof "2" min. opening (Truss install)" which I have on the upper section and for "3 1/2" min. opening (center beam)" which I have on the lower section of roof. Nothing in detail A states what you stated which was "Quarrix calls for the sheeting to be cut back no MORE than 2" measured from the top of the roof deck". I went up in the attic and measured the cut out for the ridge vents myself. I found on the lower section the cut out is less than 2" see attached photo 004. I also noted several areas where the tar paper was not cut back and blocking the opening (attached pictures 003, 006, 007). On the upper section I found the cut out to be less than 1" (attached picture 0013). I also noted areas where tar paper was not cut back and is blocking the opening (attached picture 0019). As I tried to explain to Conner I have lived in this house for over 30 years. I had the roof replaced in 1993. The house was not built with fans in either one of the bathrooms. The kitchen fan is the same as when the house was built. About 20 years ago I had energy audit and had more insulation added then. Which was considered to be an improvement at the time. A lot has changed in the last 30 years on insulation and sealing. I raised two kids in this house and for the last 15 years it’s only been my wife and I. So the moisture from the house was greatly reduced. Two years ago when Valentine roofing replaced my roof with a complete tear off there was no mold, no moisture problem in the attics. You also put new vent pipe sections and covers on the kitchen exhaust fan and furnace. Conner decided to change the venting in the upper attic to a ridge vent telling me it was better and would look better. If installing fans in the bathrooms and changing the kitchen fan would resolve this issue I would have done it the first day. The fact is Environix has told me I could do all the things recommended and it won’t solve the problem unless the venting is corrected. I have changed nothing in or on my house in the last two years except the roof and venting. Now I have mold in the attic. According to your own statements and Quarrix, the installation instructions have not been followed. By this letter I’m making one last good faith effort to resolve the issue with Valentine roofing. I’m requesting the ridge vent on the upper section be removed and the original type vents be reinstalled. Because the whole is not cut to the proper opening and you’re not supposed to install a ridge vent on a house with gable vents per Quarrix representative. And Conner is recommending covering the gable vents per Envirox report. And the other vents worked for 36 years without any problem, with no mold in the attic. I’m requesting the lower section ridge vent be removed and the hole re-cut to 3 ½ " min. per Quarrix manufactures specifications and insure all tar paper is cut back not blocking the hole. As this section previously had a ridge vent working with no problem. I’m requesting we work out mutual agreement on treating the mold. I’m requesting Valentine roofing repay me the $175.00 paid to Environix for the inspection fee July 12, 2013. If this is done I will release Valentine roofing from any future claims regarding the mold. Sincerely, Steve Taylor