1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

Leaking Roofs

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by Dan, Mar 2, 2003.

  1. Dan

    Dan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2002
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Is anyone else in a Van Metre home experiencing issues with water leaking into the house? We have an Oakwood model that is leaking from the back of the house down the wall into the kitchen and into the basement. The carpets are soaked in the guest bedroom and family room, and the hardwood foors in the kitchen are damaged. Van Metre is claiming that the leak is from "ice damming", however I think it is an inherent design issue. I also have 2 neighbors that have Fernwood models that have leaking problems that have caused some serious damage. We need to band together and make sure that Van Metre takes responsibility for their design problems. Please send me an email or respond on the forum if you are experiencing the same problem(s).
     
  2. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2002
    Messages:
    5,281
    Likes Received:
    344
    Hi-
    Ice damming is a very real and common problem that causes leaks. I would check this first. I had a leak, found the ice dam in the gutter, removed it, and the leaking stopped. With the current thawing, the problem should be alleviated.
    Cliff
     
  3. jtarnow

    jtarnow New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2002
    Messages:
    206
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have not experienced any ice damming problems with our current home (Dogwood model), but I have experienced it on two prior homes, one built in the 1930s and the second built in the 1970s. It happened to those homes following the big winter storms in 1996 and 1999.

    Obviously this is a rarer occurence in the mid-Atlantic, but as a native of Syracuse NY, it is a regular concern of all homeowners in wintry climates. It is very likely NOT a Van Metre design issue.
     
  4. Dwarflord

    Dwarflord New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2002
    Messages:
    450
    Likes Received:
    0
    I had the ice damming problem in Jan 2000. Didnt cause much damage, it just stained the drywall in the ceiling, but I have kept an eye on that problem since, BTW mine is an NV Home, nonetheless, the problem is a potential for many homes. Good luck.
     
  5. Brooke

    Brooke New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2003
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Dan,

    I also have an Oakwood that's leaking in the same spot. Van Metre, however, is not putting up a fuss and claiming "ice damming". They are beginning the repair process today. They have told me that they will:
    - fix the roof
    - pull up all of the damaged hardwood
    - pull all of the damaged sheet rock and look for additional moisture in the walls
    - wait for that all to dry out and then put everything back together

    From what I understand, this past week there have been more than a fair number of new homes leaking. Perhaps they have changed their tune. I'd be interested to see if they are a little more helpful now. Let me know.
     
  6. Dan

    Dan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2002
    Messages:
    117
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks Brooke for your reply. VM called me this morning and told me the exact samething. I'm glad they're going to take care of the problems.
     
  7. hberg

    hberg give me some of your tots

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2003
    Messages:
    1,265
    Likes Received:
    12
    It's interesting that Van Metere knowing Dan's roof was leaking and having found out in the meantime it was their fault in design, did not contact him back to say "hey it's our fault - we will fix it after all" but it was up to Dan to post the problem here and find out that there were others involved and that Van M was going to fix it and had to CALL THEM back.

    It's very telling of what type of Customer Service level is being administered here - which I find fearful as we will be moving in this June.
     

Share This Page