The Aluminum Company of North Carolina

We absolutely warranty both our products and the craftsmanship of our installers, and it shows in many of the outstanding reviews customers have given us. As discussed with the homeowner following several visits to his rental property, the extensive problems, and therefore expense to repair them correctly, are due to prolonged neglect and a roof which is beyond is useful lifespan rather than the Gutter Helmets or their installation.

Gutter Helmets, when properly installed, as was the case with this installation, do not impede the flow of water or require penetrations to the roofing shingles, underlayment or sheathing. It is part of the reason why Gutter Helmets, unlike some other products, are accepted by roofing manufacturers without voiding the manufacturer’s warranty.

Our warranty does not cover either neglect or damage caused by other (non-Aluminum Company) contractors. Furthermore, had normal periodic inspections of this rental property occurred, repairs could have been done long before the damage was so extensive and expensive.

The homeowner did have a long overdue roof replacement. Images http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/ with the roofing materials removed make clearly visible what our inspectors and project managers previously determined. Extensive sheathing (plywood) problems and many roof leaks existed nowhere near the Gutter Helmets. Once water got down to the sheathing, it traveled down the sheathing, doing more damage, particularly at the lower edge and to structural items below the roof.

The homeowner indicated he was able to find cheaper roof replacement quotes but did not indicate any of the advantages a company with nearly 60 years of experience brings. Specifically,
-All of our installers are insured.
-We provide free removal and reinstallation of Gutter Helmets by factory-trained installers on any roof replacement we perform. The only way to maintain the lifetime factory warranty is to have all work performed by factory-trained personnel.
-Instead of standard tar paper, we install WinterGuard in all areas where leaks are likely to occur without WinterGuard. This includes all roof penetrations, edges and valleys. These all are areas where this standard roof had problems and required additional expense to replace damaged sheathing.
-Instead of standard roof vents, which contain a rubber seal that fails, creating a leak before the roof itself wears out, we use a vent cover that will last the life of the roof.
-All of our roofing jobs include a project manager and production coordinator to ensure all work is done properly and all questions are promptly answered.
-Because of the quality of our certified roof installers, our roofing manufacturers extend their warranty on roofs we install, and we can extend the warranty even beyond that. More importantly, because of the quality of our work, the roof will outlast a typical roof installation.
-Our warranty is transferrable to a future homeowner.

We have attached photographs showing the root causes of the problems which were not referenced in the negative review of the Aluminum Company of North Carolina. We continue to be available to help. You may contact us at either our office or cell phones, all of which are listed on our website. We will not continue to discuss this via the internet since that does not help our objectives of getting problems resolved and satisfying our customers.

Jeff Monsein, Owner


Links to Photographs showing the root cause of the problems:

Sheathing deficiencies created dips and shingle problems. See following pictures for more details.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-4NTHdCM/A

Dip in roof and shingles, causing “Backwater” condition and encouraging water to track under shingles and cause damage.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-h2wpL3c/A

This problem area of the roof is nearly flat, allowing a backwater condition and water damage at the roof rake edge. Nails in the step flashing are at the wrong location. Nails should be at the upper side of the flashing and cover upper flashing so nails are not visible and water does not leak around nails, just as is done with roofing shingles. http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-zZD38cK/A

Additional dips and water damage to roof at various areas.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-jP9BpK9/A

Water infiltration and damage at all penetrations, allowing water in, under the roof shingles. It caused major damage below the penetrations and terminated at the drip edge under our Gutter Helmets as the water ran down the sheathing. This condition is typical around the home.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-PfJss92/A

Water infiltration at plumbing penetrations.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-sGZ6QfL/A

Typical condition of badly pitted shingles and missing granules. This age-related deterioration allows shingles to become porous as the fiberglass mat of the shingles is exposed and can allow water to freely enter the roof.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-fnz58Vn/A

Note the curl on the edges of shingles due to aging beyond their serviceable life.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-wjs8m5r/A

Badly damaged, aged, pitted, curling shingles missing at least half of granules showing the age of the roof and detailing the fact that it has exceeded its useful lifespan.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-xC67bvD/A

Close up showing missing granules due to roof age.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-WKN5n3H/A

Wider view of general roof condition and age.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-8DBLPSJ/A

Major plywood deficiencies, which translate into vulnerable shingles.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-R6tpVw5/A

Water infiltrations and staining at the chimney.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-TW34t8F/A

Note: rot at valley termination only. This condition is indicative of a roof that has not been maintained and a roof that is beyond its useful lifespan. This damage relates directly to leaf and debris buildup, causing water to back up under the shingles at the valley terminations. Note that the damage tapers off shortly outside the valley, whereas Gutter Helmets existed throughout.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-BFFnLxq/A

A second valley showing similar damage only at the valley, where leaves and debris were allowed to build up and cause leakage.
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-bpKj2hc/A

Major rot, water damage and rusted nails in areas of home on roof where Gutter Helmet did not exist (on gable/rake ends of home).
http://photos.aluminumcompany.com/15539/n-n2rpfQ/i-5ZNcGQj/A