Fungus/mold/mildew on brand new shingles

[nolow]

What is the name of your state? Fl

I purchased shingles from the largest roofing supply company in the US. I installed 200 square feet on my house (2500 square feet in total). I'm doing all the labor myself. I only completed 1/10th of the job and started noticing a white growth on the shingles. I was worried that this would continue to grow under the shingles after installation, so I stopped work and demanded a refund. The manager kept saying that it was normal. I asked him to show me this fungus on the thousands of shingles on the back and he agreed. We walked around looking at shingles and he kept point out damaged shingles. I said where is the fungus and he kept ignoring me and pointing to damage. Well, I finally was able to get a refund for the shingles I didn't install. He, however, did not refund the money for the used shingles. Here are my damages.

1. lost time for installation of two hundred feet of shingles (2 squares)
2. I have to rip up the underlayment and ice and water, so I lose additional supply costs. Not to metion nails and the time it takes to remove the shingles.
3. I have to reinstall the shingles and install new underlayment.
4. I have to stop work for 14 days until I get my new shingles.

The shingles come with a 10 year algae and fungus warranty. I called the manufacturer and I have to file a claim to get reimbursed for the shingles and any labor allowance. The distributor is denying any product liability because they say it is the manufacturers liability. The thing is both the manufacturer and distributor both agree that the reason the fungus is on there is because the distributor stored them improperly.

I would like the distributor to reimburse me for the shingles instead of going through a claim. What should I do? Is the distributor free and clear at this point and it is on the manufacturer?

-I could do a charge back on the visa for the remaining charges
-I could just hope and pray the claim gets approved and the manufacturer pays for the shingles.
-I could file a complaint with the FTC and BBB.
-I could take them to small claims, but they would push it off on the manufacturer.

 

[moburkes]

How did the distributor install the shingles if you installed them?

I installed 200 square feet on my house (2500 square feet in total). I'm doing all the labor myself. I

lost time for installation of two hundred feet of shingles (2 squares)

The thing is both the manufacturer and distributor both agree that the reason the fungus is on there is becuase the distributor installed them improperly.

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

It doesn't take that long to remove two squares. One guy removed eight squares at my house in an hour or so, with the added difficulty being he could toss them over the edge otherwise they would fallen into the pond. And why would you replace the underlayment?

Ice and water?

 

[nolow]

It doesn't take that long to remove two squares. One guy removed eight squares at my house in an hour or so, with the added difficulty being he could toss them over the edge otherwise they would fallen into the pond. And why would you replace the underlayment?

Ice and water?

I used double underlayment of #15 felt paper. I know this stuff isn't expensive, but I did have to install it. When you do a tear off, you have to replace the underlayment. It will get torn to pieces. I think you thought I was talking about the wood sheathing. This would not be replaced. I now have to remove two squares, replace the underlayment, and replace the shingles. He didn't refund the shingle cost of the two squares. This cost me $150 to replace (shingle material only). If the distributor would just give me a full refund, I would have paid for the rest of the costs. Ice and water costs $50 a square and I used close to a square on that side. There will be a hundred nails in it, so I will have to put another layer over it.

 

[nolow]

How did the distributor install the shingles if you installed them?

That isn't the point. It is the replacement cost. I have to now replace the fungus infected shingles. It had already been completed. I never said the distributor installed the shingles. They just had a hand in the damages by selling a fungus infected product. The product is supposed to be free of this sort of thing for 10 years. If it had been a year or even six months before the fungus appeared, I would just go after the manufacturer for a resolution. It is so close to the purchase date that I feel like the distributor should offer some resolution. The resolution being to refund the material costs and nothing else. If you bought something from Home Depot with mold (even if you installed it), they would give you a full refund no questions asked. They could then go back and get a credit for the material from the manufacturer. I guess I'm saying they should do the leg work of the claim and not me at this point.

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

I used double underlayment of #15 felt paper. I know this stuff isn't expensive, but I did have to install it. When you do a tear off, you have to replace the underlayment. It will get torn to pieces. I think you thought I was talking about the wood sheathing. This would not be replaced. I now have to remove two squares, replace the underlayment, and replace the shingles. He didn't refund the shingle cost of the two squares. This cost me $150 to replace (shingle material only). If the distributor would just give me a full refund, I would have paid for the rest of the costs. Ice and water costs $50 a square and I used close to a square on that side. There will be a hundred nails in it, so I will have to put another layer over it.

I put 30 year shingles on my house. Each square was about $50. 15# felt paper costs $14 for a 4.3 square roll.

I still don't know what the ice and water have to do with anything.

 

[nolow]

I put 30 year shingles on my house. Each square was about $50. 15# felt paper costs $14 for a 4.3 square roll.

I still don't know what the ice and water have to do with anything.

It is a 40 year shingle at $75 a square. My main point is that they will not refund my money for the shingles which are defective. The other costs are not my main concern right now. I will incur these costs. Ice and water prevents ice damns, wind driven rain, and gutter backups from damaging the sheathing. It is a self sealing membrane that is very expensive. It costs just as much as your shingles cost. When I say self sealing, I mean it seals around the nails to form a water tight barrier. As you know, shingles have to be fastened with 4 to 6 nails per shingle. When I pull the fungus infected shingles up, there will be a few hundred holes in the membrane. Therefore, I have to lay down new ice and water.

 

[moburkes]

That isn't the point. It is the replacement cost. I have to now replace the fungus infected shingles. It had already been completed. I never said the distributor installed the shingles. They just had a hand in the damages by selling a fungus infected product. The product is supposed to be free of this sort of thing for 10 years. If it had been a year or even six months before the fungus appeared, I would just go after the manufacturer for a resolution. It is so close to the purchase date that I feel like the distributor should offer some resolution. The resolution being to refund the material costs and nothing else. If you bought something from Home Depot with mold (even if you installed it), they would give you a full refund no questions asked. They could then go back and get a credit for the material from the manufacturer. I guess I'm saying they should do the leg work of the claim and not me at this point.

Will you go back and re-read what I quoted? I'm pretty sure that you said the distributor installed it.

 

[nolow]

Will you go back and re-read what I quoted? I'm pretty sure that you said the distributor installed it.

Sorry, I meant the distributor stored them improperly not installed. They stored them outside which the manufacture prohibits.