Roofs
Coverage 1st Year Only. Workmanship and Materials.
5-1-1
Observation: The roof ridge beam has deflected.
Performance Guideline: Roof ridge beam deflection greater than 1 inch in 8 feet is considered unacceptable. Remodeling Specific: If this is not in the scope of work, the guideline will be disregarded.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair affected ridge beams that do not meet the performance guideline.
5-1-2
Observation: A rafter or ceiling joist bows (up or down).
Performance Guideline: Bows greater than 1 inch in 8 feet are unacceptable.
Remodeling Specific: If this is not in the scope of work, the guideline will be disregarded.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair affected rafters or joists that bow in excess of the performance guideline.
Roof Sheathing
5-2-1
Observation: Roof sheathing is wavy or appears bowed.
Performance Guideline: Roof sheathing shall not bow more than 1/2-inch in 2 feet.
Remodeling Specific: If new sheathing is installed over existing rafters, the sheathing will follow the bows of the existing rafters. The owner and The Bolster Contractor should agree on whether or not the rafters are to be straightened. If they are not to be straightened, the performance guideline for this item will be disregarded.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will straighten bowed roof sheathing as necessary to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: In rare instances, The Bolster Contractor might have to install blocking between the framing members to straighten the sheathing.
Roof Vents
5-3-1
Observation: An attic vent or louver leaks.
Performance Guideline: Attic vents and louvers shall not leak. However, infiltration of wind-driven rain and snow are not considered leaks and are beyond the control of The Bolster Contractor.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair or replace the roof vents as necessary to meet the performance guideline. Discussion: Properly installed louvers or vents may at times allow penetration of rain or snow under strong wind conditions and are not deficiencies.
Roof Installation and Leaks
Asphalt Shingles
5-4-1
Observation: The roof or flashing leaks.
Performance Guideline: Roofs and flashing shall not leak under normal conditions, except where the cause is determined to result from ice build-up or the owner’s actions or negligence.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair any verified roof or flashing leaks not caused by ice build-up, leaves, debris, or the owner’s actions or negligence. It is the owner’s responsibility to keep the roof drains, gutters, and downspouts free of debris.
5-4-2
Observation: Ice builds up on the roof.
Performance Guideline: During prolonged cold spells ice is likely to build up on a roof, especially at the eaves. This condition naturally can occur when snow and ice accumulates.
Corrective Measure: No action is required of The Bolster Contractor. Prevention of ice build-up on the roof is a owner maintenance item.
Discussion: In the event ice builds up on the roof and then melts causing damage, this consequential damage is also the owner’s responsibility.
5-4-3
Observation: Shingles have blown off.
Performance Guideline: Shingles shall not blow off in winds less than stated in the manufacturer's warranty or applicable building codes.
Corrective Measure: If shingles were not installed properly, they will be repaired or replaced in the affected area.
5-4-4
Observation: Shingles are not horizontally aligned.
Performance Guideline: Shingles should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Remodeling Specific: The owner and The Bolster Contractor may agree prior to installation that the horizontal line of shingles on the roof of an addition need not line up with those of the existing structure if the floors (and hence, the eaves and ridge) are not to be built on the same plane.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will remove shingles that do not meet the performance guideline, and will repair or replace them with new shingles that are properly aligned.
Discussion: The bottom edge of dimensional shingles may be irregular; the irregularity is an inherent part of the design.
5-4-5
Observation: New shingles do not match existing shingles.
Performance Guideline: Because of weathering and manufacturing variations, the color of new shingles will not exactly match the color of existing shingles.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for precisely matching the color of existing shingles.
5-4-6
Observation: Asphalt shingle edges or corners are curled or cupped.
Performance Guideline: Asphalt shingle edges and corners shall not curl or cup more than 1/2-inch.
Corrective Measure: No corrective action is required of The Bolster Contractor. Cupping in excess of 1/2-inch should be reported to the manufacturer.
5-4-7
Observation: Asphalt shingles do not overhang the edges of the roof, or hang too far over the edges of the roof.
Performance Guideline: Asphalt shingles shall overhang roof edges by not less than 1/4- inch and not more than 3/4-inch unless the manufacturer's instructions indicate otherwise.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will reposition or replace shingles as necessary to meet the performance guideline.
5-4-8
Observation: Shading or a shadowing pattern is observed on a new shingle roof.
Performance Guideline: Shading or shadowing is a defect only if it results from failure to use shingles of the type specified in the contract.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will replace shingles not conforming to the manufacture’s standards.
5-4-9
Observation: Asphalt shingles have developed surface buckling.
Performance Guideline: Asphalt shingle surfaces need not be perfectly flat. Buckling higher than 1/4-inch is considered unacceptable.
Remodeling Specific: If an owner elects to re-roof over an existing roof owner must be aware that the new roof will follow the contours of the underlying roof.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair or replace the affected shingles to meet the performance guideline.
5-4-10
Observation: Sheathing nails have loosened from framing and raised asphalt shingles.
Performance Guideline: Nails shall not loosen from roof sheathing to raise asphalt shingles from surface.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair all areas as necessary to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: It is not uncommon for nails to "work themselves out" due to variations in temperature. The Bolster Contractor can re-drive or remove and replace fasteners that withdraw from the framing. Any resulting holes should be sealed or the shingle should be replaced (a perfect color/shade match cannot be assured).
5-4-11
Observation: Roofing nails are exposed at the ridge or hip of a roof.
Performance Guideline: Nail heads shall be sealed
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair areas to meet the performance guideline.
5-4-12
Observation: Holes from construction activities are found in asphalt shingles.
Performance Guideline: Holes from construction activities shall be flashed or sealed below the asphalt shingle tab to prevent leakage. If the patch is visible from the ground, the shingle should be replaced.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair or replace the affected shingles to meet the performance guideline.
5-4-13
Observation: Remodeling Specific: Existing roof shingles are telegraphing through new asphalt shingles.
Performance Guideline: Remodeling Specific: Some telegraphing is common when reroofing over existing roofing.
Corrective Measure: Because this is a common occurrence, no corrective action is required.
Roll Roofing
5-4-14
Observation: Water is trapped under roll roofing.
Performance Guideline: Water shall not become trapped under roll roofing.
Corrective Measure: If water becomes trapped under roll roofing during the warranty period, The Bolster Contractor will repair or replace the roofing as necessary to meet the performance guideline.
5-4-15
Observation: Roofing is blistered but does not admit water.
Performance Guideline: Surface blistering of roll roofing is caused by unusual conditions of heat and humidity acting on the asphalt and cannot be controlled by The Bolster Contractor.
Corrective Measure: None.
5-4-16
Observation: Water is standing on a flat roof.
Performance Guideline: Water shall drain from a flat roof except for minor ponding within 24 hours of a rainfall. Minor ponding shall not exceed 3/8-inch in depth.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will take corrective action to ensure proper drainage of the roof.
Chimney
5-5-1
Observation: A crack in a masonry chimney cap or crown causes leakage.
Performance Guideline: It is common for caps to crack due to expansion and contraction. As a result, leaks may occur.
Corrective Measure: If cracking causes leakage The Bolster Contractor will repair the cap or crown. Caulking or other sealant is acceptable.
5-5-2
Observation: New chimney flashing leaks.
Performance Guideline: New chimney flashing shall not leak under normal conditions.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair leaks in new chimney flashing that are not caused by ice build- up, other common occurrences, or by the owner's actions or negligence. Discussion: The accumulation of ice and snow on the roof is a natural occurrence and cannot be prevented by The Bolster Contractor.
Gutters and Downspouts
5-6-1
Observation: The gutter or downspout leaks.
Performance Guideline: Gutters and downspouts shall not leak.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair leaks in gutters and downspouts. Sealants are acceptable.
5-6-2
Observation: The gutter overflows during a heavy rain.
Performance Guideline: Gutters may overflow during a heavy rain.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair the gutter if it overflows during normal rains.
Discussion: The owner is responsible for keeping gutters and downspouts free from debris that could cause overflow.
5-6-3
Observation: Water remains in the gutter after a rain.
Performance Guideline: The water level shall not exceed 1/2-inch in depth if the gutter is unobstructed by ice, snow, or debris.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair the gutter to meet the performance guideline. The owner is responsible for maintaining gutters and downspouts and keeping them unobstructed.
Discussion: The Bolster Contractor usually installs residential gutters with minimal slope in order to maintain an attractive appearance. Installing gutters with 1/32-inch drop in 1 foot generally will prevent water from standing in the gutters. Even so, small amounts of water may remain in some sections of the gutter for a time after a rain. In areas with heavy rainfall and/or ice build-up, a steeper pitch or additional downspouts may be desirable.
Skylights
5-7-1
Observation: Skylight leaks.
Performance Guideline: Skylights shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications. Leaks resulting from improper installation are unacceptable. Condensation on interior surfaces is not a leak and not considered a defect.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair any improperly installed skylight to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: Leaks are often caused by other factors such as improper flashing of vents, chimneys or vertical walls. These defects often show up at the skylight opening. Before deeming the skylight to be defective other possible causes should be ruled out by careful examination and a thorough water test.