Trying to Save Our Home
Donation protected
Where do I begin?
I posted a GoFundMe me last week but deleted the first one not knowing how to write my story.
I decided to write it again after being convinced that I should at least try.
No words can describe our pain and how devastated we are. It's really a David and Goliath and we are literally fighting for our home and our lives and I am fighting this alone. All I can do is tell my story and just give the facts hoping and praying you all will offer your support.
Our home had water intrusion behind every wall around the perimeter of my house. Water bubble where the ceiling and wall meets, and water lines along my living room ceiling.
The water intrusion caused toxic mold in every wall around the perimeter of my house. My homeowners insurance, Liberty Mutual have denied my claims.
Verbal estimate that I was given, at least $72,000 and that is not calculating additional costs such as replacing framing boards that have mold.
The details are very complicated. To read more see the below story:
I was a single mom and bought a 1500 sq. ft. home five and half years ago. It was a well-maintained home I bought from a 70-year-old lady. The home had been upgraded mostly but the small things left to be done, I knew that I could save and do those small, small things myself and I have.
While our home is not perfect, my son and I worked hard to do these little things with lots of love to enhance our home and made it our own.
Our home had been a place of love, laughter, and joy.....but not anymore, not now. Right now and for the past 4 months we've been trying to save our home.
During my home purchase and mortgage negotiations with the seller approx. 5 1/2 years and unbeknownst to us, the licensed contractor and roofer hired to replace the roof due to hail a damage loss. The seller filed a claim with her homeowners insurance and hired a roofer. But....
The previous roofer did not put the roof on correctly and the previous roofer did not put it on according to building code. The roofer laid asphalt shingles directly over the existing roof sheathing which are 1 x 6's. The 1 x 6's had gaps ranging from 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch.
The previous roofer also removed and replaced the gutters. The previous gutter system was one-piece seamless Leaf Guard gutter system that came with the home. The design of the Leaf Guard system is such that water cannot intrude into a house with its curved down design. The Leaf Guard system was also designed with a built-in baffle in the back that sits underneath the edge of the shingles that helps direct water away from the home. However, when the roofer replaced the Leaf Guard gutters with new open 6-inch gutters, the roofer did NOT install a drip edge/gutter apron, nor did he communicate that a gutter apron needed to be installed since the dynamic of the gutter system changed.
Update*** I recently was informed by a contractor, that the gutters installed by the previous roofer were not even made correctly....meaning the back should have been 1 inch higher. (e.g. back of gutter 6 inches and front 4 inches), especially if there was a gap above the fascia board. The contractor said the previous roofer also installed the gutters too high up on the fascia board where the top of the gutter....meaning if the gutters overflowed, the water would go directly back into the house since he did not make the back of the gutter 1 inch higher.
A very visible 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch water line/bubble on my living room ceiling runs 4 feet from the west wall towards the east.
Picture below is how Leaf Guard gutter is designed to keep the water away from the house and prevent water intrusion.
In August, I began to smell mold. I went crazy trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. I think called every mold company in Indiana. They also could not find the source.
Prior to August, there was no mold smell prior to July and the water damage to my ceiling and wall/ceiling was not there prior to July.
I begin working from the top (roof) down to find the source of the mold smell and called 15 different roofing companies. All the roofing companies concluded that there was no gutter apron/drip edge and the water intruded behind the walls from the July storms.
I also called a structural engineer willing to come and look at my house for minimal fee. After coming, he decided not to charge me a minimal fee and told me my house was very solid and good other than the water intrusion and mold. He told me that in no way shape or form was I the cause of the issue. (Some relief)
My current 2020 roofer who is replacing my roof again due to hail damage, showing how the water may have came in behind the walls.
Picture of Midwest Remediation Company confirming the water damage using a moisture meter and borescope.
Water intrusion and mold inside the wall.
Last week I called State Farm and spoke to them myself. They were very helpful. State Farm stated they always pay to bring a roof up to building code and stated the seller’s homeowner’s insurance also had code coverage in her policy. The previous roofer did NOT submit a supplemental to the insurance requesting additional inspection or money from State Farm to bring the roof up to code. Again, as an 'expert and knowledgeable roofer' he would know what a supplemental is and how to submit one. If he did not know, calling State Farm would have been the next option. According to State Farm last week, the roofer did not call and inquire.
According to the State Farm Loss Statement regarding the previous homeowners claim, the roofer was paid by State Farm to put on gutter apron around the garage. The roofer did NOT install a gutter apron on the garage as seen in the picture below and you can see the angle of the gutter is NOT away from the garage.
I calculated what it would cost at today's prices (Lowes) buy gutter apron for a home that requires 160 ft. Gutter aprons come in 10 ft. sections and cost $6.00 per 10 ft. section.
The total cost of gutter apron, including installation, would have cost at $350.00.
The roofer did NOT put on $350 worth of gutter apron and as a result caused about $72,000 worth of hidden damage to my home!! The attic insulation has to be removed, the ceiling has to be removed, all walls have to be removed, my kitchen cabinets and granite counter top have to be removed to get to the wall behind them. My bathroom has to be demolished, the duct work.....and now, possibly the floor. The house has to be gutted! That estimate is based on the Mold expert/PhD and the General Contractor who walked through my house giving only a verbal estimate. He said, once we open up the walls, we don't know how many framing boards might need to be removed and replaced.
Picture of my kitchen...The kitchen cabinets, countertop, all appliances have to be removed to gut the drywall behind and on the ceiling...possibly the floor. Not even sure if the cabinets have to replaced or not.
The previous roofer, who is listed as an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor on the Owens Corning website, installed Owens Corning shingles when he replaced the roof. He sent me a receipt for 1/2 of the deductible that I had negotiated with the seller in my mortgage....Previous roofers warranty mentions a "Lifetime Warranty on the Owens Corning Shingles."
I called Owens Corning and according to Owens Corning claims rep, their Lifetime Shingle Warranty would be void and void from the day he laid the shingles since the roofer did NOT put the shingles on per the Owens Corning installation instructions which is: Shingles have to be installed on solid sheathing and no more than 1/4 inch gap. AND, since the previous roofer did NOT put the roof on to code, Owens Corning Warranty was void from the day the previous roofer laid the first shingle.
Owens Corning uses the International Building Code as a guide.....and IF the Local Building Code is not clear, a contractor is supposed to use the International Building Code in conjunction with Owens Corning installation instructions. The previous roofer did not.
Also, I learned Owens Corning has a technical help line to help general contractors and roofers with any installation questions they have....The previous roofer did not utilize these Owens Corning services either.
As a result of the water intrusion, very toxic mold is now behind the North, South, East, and West walls of our home. The wall cavities were tested by a mold expert with a PhD in microbiology and mold testing. The mold smell and off gassing has permeated just about everything in my house and cross contaminated the home in just a matter of a few months...You might ask, is this possible. IT IS.
American Leak Detection Report who also concluded that the water damage occurred from the lack of gutter apron/drip edge. I'm not sure if this how the water intrusion happened or not.
My homeowner’s insurance, Liberty Mutual, denied my water damage claim giving a policy exclusion that water had been "seeping for more than 14 days". SMH...Why do I pay high premiums for protection of my home expecting the insurance to take care of this...but they are NOT.
The previous roofer is not taking responsibility nor agreeing to a resolution either. I have reached out to him and requested a peaceful resolution.
I asked for him to provide me a copy of his business insurance information that covered him during the time he replaced the roof and he would NOT provide it. I asked him to do the right thing and to do the honorable thing, but he is NOT.
In an email exchange with him I told him I wanted to hate him for the damage he caused to our home, but that I couldn't. It's not that I'm not angry because I'm super angry...that's human nature, but I don't hate him and I won't allow myself to hate him.
I have been beyond stressed out for the past 4 months trying desperately to figure out how to save my home. I look like I've aged 10 years in 4 months....not kidding. There have been days when I can honestly say that I wanted to literally give up not knowing if, when or how our home can be saved.
When these type of things happen, you question yourself, asking what did I do to deserve this...but the honest truth is, we didn't do anything to deserve this, we did nothing to cause this issue nor could we have done anything to prevent it.
What I do know is that no one should have to go through this kind of unimaginable stress or be put in a position that causes so much damage that a person could lose their home because of greed or carelessness or just simply not caring to do the right thing.
I also worry about the other roof jobs that the previous roofer did. I hope and pray those homeowners are not having similar issues now or in the future. I pray they never have to go through the stress of anything like what we are going through.
I've worked since I was 15 years old and have worked every day of my life since. I have never asked for help for anything. I have to humble myself, remove my pride....and ask for your support to save our home.
I have all the documents, photographs, contact information of contractors, mold experts, emails and reports that I can provide or print off for proof, if requested or needed.
While I know some of you may not be able to help, I do hope that through my story, you've learned something that might help you now or in the future about your home or future home.
If by some miracle, grace, or blessing that more donations are received than what we need to fix our home, the remaining funds will be verifiably donated to help other families.
Thank you for reading my story. Blessings to all.
Please share this GoFundMe page on your social media to spread the word.
If you want to reach out to me directly, please send an email to: [email redacted]
Update as of 12/04/2020
Forensic Engineer concluded "The lack of a drip edge on the roof" for cause of water intrusion...I don't know at this point what caused the water intrusion. I just know it was not 'seeping for more than 14 days' issue as Liberty Mutual is trying to say (or get out of paying) or I would have smelled mold long back.
My Homeowners Insurance, Liberty Mutual denied my water damage claim.
I have no words and I just feel numb.
Update as of 02/19/2020
Found a cheaper contractor and I priced the materials myself. $43,000 to do most of it. They seem good. Need some positivity to happen as the stress we have all endured since July has been draining.
I posted a GoFundMe me last week but deleted the first one not knowing how to write my story.
I decided to write it again after being convinced that I should at least try.
No words can describe our pain and how devastated we are. It's really a David and Goliath and we are literally fighting for our home and our lives and I am fighting this alone. All I can do is tell my story and just give the facts hoping and praying you all will offer your support.
Our home had water intrusion behind every wall around the perimeter of my house. Water bubble where the ceiling and wall meets, and water lines along my living room ceiling.
The water intrusion caused toxic mold in every wall around the perimeter of my house. My homeowners insurance, Liberty Mutual have denied my claims.
Verbal estimate that I was given, at least $72,000 and that is not calculating additional costs such as replacing framing boards that have mold.
The details are very complicated. To read more see the below story:
I was a single mom and bought a 1500 sq. ft. home five and half years ago. It was a well-maintained home I bought from a 70-year-old lady. The home had been upgraded mostly but the small things left to be done, I knew that I could save and do those small, small things myself and I have.
While our home is not perfect, my son and I worked hard to do these little things with lots of love to enhance our home and made it our own.
Our home had been a place of love, laughter, and joy.....but not anymore, not now. Right now and for the past 4 months we've been trying to save our home.
During my home purchase and mortgage negotiations with the seller approx. 5 1/2 years and unbeknownst to us, the licensed contractor and roofer hired to replace the roof due to hail a damage loss. The seller filed a claim with her homeowners insurance and hired a roofer. But....
The previous roofer did not put the roof on correctly and the previous roofer did not put it on according to building code. The roofer laid asphalt shingles directly over the existing roof sheathing which are 1 x 6's. The 1 x 6's had gaps ranging from 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch.
The previous roofer also removed and replaced the gutters. The previous gutter system was one-piece seamless Leaf Guard gutter system that came with the home. The design of the Leaf Guard system is such that water cannot intrude into a house with its curved down design. The Leaf Guard system was also designed with a built-in baffle in the back that sits underneath the edge of the shingles that helps direct water away from the home. However, when the roofer replaced the Leaf Guard gutters with new open 6-inch gutters, the roofer did NOT install a drip edge/gutter apron, nor did he communicate that a gutter apron needed to be installed since the dynamic of the gutter system changed.
Update*** I recently was informed by a contractor, that the gutters installed by the previous roofer were not even made correctly....meaning the back should have been 1 inch higher. (e.g. back of gutter 6 inches and front 4 inches), especially if there was a gap above the fascia board. The contractor said the previous roofer also installed the gutters too high up on the fascia board where the top of the gutter....meaning if the gutters overflowed, the water would go directly back into the house since he did not make the back of the gutter 1 inch higher.
A very visible 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch water line/bubble on my living room ceiling runs 4 feet from the west wall towards the east.
Picture below is how Leaf Guard gutter is designed to keep the water away from the house and prevent water intrusion.
In August, I began to smell mold. I went crazy trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. I think called every mold company in Indiana. They also could not find the source.
Prior to August, there was no mold smell prior to July and the water damage to my ceiling and wall/ceiling was not there prior to July.
I begin working from the top (roof) down to find the source of the mold smell and called 15 different roofing companies. All the roofing companies concluded that there was no gutter apron/drip edge and the water intruded behind the walls from the July storms.
I also called a structural engineer willing to come and look at my house for minimal fee. After coming, he decided not to charge me a minimal fee and told me my house was very solid and good other than the water intrusion and mold. He told me that in no way shape or form was I the cause of the issue. (Some relief)
My current 2020 roofer who is replacing my roof again due to hail damage, showing how the water may have came in behind the walls.
Picture of Midwest Remediation Company confirming the water damage using a moisture meter and borescope.
Water intrusion and mold inside the wall.
Last week I called State Farm and spoke to them myself. They were very helpful. State Farm stated they always pay to bring a roof up to building code and stated the seller’s homeowner’s insurance also had code coverage in her policy. The previous roofer did NOT submit a supplemental to the insurance requesting additional inspection or money from State Farm to bring the roof up to code. Again, as an 'expert and knowledgeable roofer' he would know what a supplemental is and how to submit one. If he did not know, calling State Farm would have been the next option. According to State Farm last week, the roofer did not call and inquire.
According to the State Farm Loss Statement regarding the previous homeowners claim, the roofer was paid by State Farm to put on gutter apron around the garage. The roofer did NOT install a gutter apron on the garage as seen in the picture below and you can see the angle of the gutter is NOT away from the garage.
I calculated what it would cost at today's prices (Lowes) buy gutter apron for a home that requires 160 ft. Gutter aprons come in 10 ft. sections and cost $6.00 per 10 ft. section.
The total cost of gutter apron, including installation, would have cost at $350.00.
The roofer did NOT put on $350 worth of gutter apron and as a result caused about $72,000 worth of hidden damage to my home!! The attic insulation has to be removed, the ceiling has to be removed, all walls have to be removed, my kitchen cabinets and granite counter top have to be removed to get to the wall behind them. My bathroom has to be demolished, the duct work.....and now, possibly the floor. The house has to be gutted! That estimate is based on the Mold expert/PhD and the General Contractor who walked through my house giving only a verbal estimate. He said, once we open up the walls, we don't know how many framing boards might need to be removed and replaced.
Picture of my kitchen...The kitchen cabinets, countertop, all appliances have to be removed to gut the drywall behind and on the ceiling...possibly the floor. Not even sure if the cabinets have to replaced or not.
The previous roofer, who is listed as an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor on the Owens Corning website, installed Owens Corning shingles when he replaced the roof. He sent me a receipt for 1/2 of the deductible that I had negotiated with the seller in my mortgage....Previous roofers warranty mentions a "Lifetime Warranty on the Owens Corning Shingles."
I called Owens Corning and according to Owens Corning claims rep, their Lifetime Shingle Warranty would be void and void from the day he laid the shingles since the roofer did NOT put the shingles on per the Owens Corning installation instructions which is: Shingles have to be installed on solid sheathing and no more than 1/4 inch gap. AND, since the previous roofer did NOT put the roof on to code, Owens Corning Warranty was void from the day the previous roofer laid the first shingle.
Owens Corning uses the International Building Code as a guide.....and IF the Local Building Code is not clear, a contractor is supposed to use the International Building Code in conjunction with Owens Corning installation instructions. The previous roofer did not.
Also, I learned Owens Corning has a technical help line to help general contractors and roofers with any installation questions they have....The previous roofer did not utilize these Owens Corning services either.
As a result of the water intrusion, very toxic mold is now behind the North, South, East, and West walls of our home. The wall cavities were tested by a mold expert with a PhD in microbiology and mold testing. The mold smell and off gassing has permeated just about everything in my house and cross contaminated the home in just a matter of a few months...You might ask, is this possible. IT IS.
American Leak Detection Report who also concluded that the water damage occurred from the lack of gutter apron/drip edge. I'm not sure if this how the water intrusion happened or not.
My homeowner’s insurance, Liberty Mutual, denied my water damage claim giving a policy exclusion that water had been "seeping for more than 14 days". SMH...Why do I pay high premiums for protection of my home expecting the insurance to take care of this...but they are NOT.
The previous roofer is not taking responsibility nor agreeing to a resolution either. I have reached out to him and requested a peaceful resolution.
I asked for him to provide me a copy of his business insurance information that covered him during the time he replaced the roof and he would NOT provide it. I asked him to do the right thing and to do the honorable thing, but he is NOT.
In an email exchange with him I told him I wanted to hate him for the damage he caused to our home, but that I couldn't. It's not that I'm not angry because I'm super angry...that's human nature, but I don't hate him and I won't allow myself to hate him.
I have been beyond stressed out for the past 4 months trying desperately to figure out how to save my home. I look like I've aged 10 years in 4 months....not kidding. There have been days when I can honestly say that I wanted to literally give up not knowing if, when or how our home can be saved.
When these type of things happen, you question yourself, asking what did I do to deserve this...but the honest truth is, we didn't do anything to deserve this, we did nothing to cause this issue nor could we have done anything to prevent it.
What I do know is that no one should have to go through this kind of unimaginable stress or be put in a position that causes so much damage that a person could lose their home because of greed or carelessness or just simply not caring to do the right thing.
I also worry about the other roof jobs that the previous roofer did. I hope and pray those homeowners are not having similar issues now or in the future. I pray they never have to go through the stress of anything like what we are going through.
I've worked since I was 15 years old and have worked every day of my life since. I have never asked for help for anything. I have to humble myself, remove my pride....and ask for your support to save our home.
I have all the documents, photographs, contact information of contractors, mold experts, emails and reports that I can provide or print off for proof, if requested or needed.
While I know some of you may not be able to help, I do hope that through my story, you've learned something that might help you now or in the future about your home or future home.
If by some miracle, grace, or blessing that more donations are received than what we need to fix our home, the remaining funds will be verifiably donated to help other families.
Thank you for reading my story. Blessings to all.
Please share this GoFundMe page on your social media to spread the word.
If you want to reach out to me directly, please send an email to: [email redacted]
Update as of 12/04/2020
Forensic Engineer concluded "The lack of a drip edge on the roof" for cause of water intrusion...I don't know at this point what caused the water intrusion. I just know it was not 'seeping for more than 14 days' issue as Liberty Mutual is trying to say (or get out of paying) or I would have smelled mold long back.
My Homeowners Insurance, Liberty Mutual denied my water damage claim.
I have no words and I just feel numb.
Update as of 02/19/2020
Found a cheaper contractor and I priced the materials myself. $43,000 to do most of it. They seem good. Need some positivity to happen as the stress we have all endured since July has been draining.
Organizer
Marian T
Organizer
Indianapolis, IN
