Houston Roof Leaks Attorney
What could be more disheartening than to build your custom dream home, and then to move in, only to discover that your brand new custom home—possibly your largest single investment— has a leaking roof?
Roof leaks, water intrusion, and other problems resulting from faulty construction only get worse as time goes on. Don’t wait to act. Your health and your investment are at stake, call our Houston roof leaks attorneys at The Freeman Law Firm today.
Who’s Responsibility Is It to Repair and Remediate a Roof Leak?
A builder is required by law to comply with all building codes and implied warranty standards to produce a home that is habitable and healthful—which is clearly not the case when the roof is leaking and water is invading the structure. If you detect a leak in your newer home, the first thing you will need to do is report the problem to your builder or developer. A reputable company will not only fix the underlying problem, but also repair any secondary damage that has occurred as a result, including remediation mold.
Builders and developers of various degrees of integrity and character operate in Texas, however, and you may be among the unfortunate few who have discovered that your lovely and expensive home has been built with code violations, shoddy materials, shortcuts, and defects.
What Damages Am I Entitled To?
In addition to having the defect repaired and the remediation of resulting mold or other problems, you may be able to recover damages for any out-of-pocket expenses related to the damage, including healthcare costs and the cost of alternative housing during the repair and remediation of your home. In a few cases of egregious wrongdoing on the part of a builder or developer or other defendant, a jury may occasionally award punitive damages. These are not paid by the defendant’s insurance company and are not meant to compensate you for any losses. Their purpose is to punish the wrongdoing and prevent recurrences. Warranty violations may be assessed as high as three times the amount of your actual monetary damages.
If your builder or developer has repeatedly ignored your requests or has failed to adequately repair and remediate the problem with your leaking roof, it is probably time to consult a Houston construction defect attorney. There is a lot at stake here, so don’t make the mistake of letting the problem drag on too long before getting the help you need. As time passes, the greater the damage is likely to become and the greater the devaluation of your investment in your home, not to mention the actual or potential threats to your health.
The Dangers of Roof Leaks
Roof leaks are a serious threat to your home in a number of ways. A leaking roof can undermine the framework and integrity of your house, often necessitating extensive repairs. Roof leaks not only may damage the structure of your home, but may create conditions that threaten your own and your family’s health. Water leaking through a defective roof can get into the wood frame, walls, insulation, and flooring where it creates the perfect environment for growth of toxic mold and mildew. Once it gets established in your home, mold can spread into your climate control system, carpets, walls, furniture, and tiles. When you breathe it in, you may suffer respiratory distress, gastrointestinal disturbance, and even neurological problems.
Furthermore, water leaking through your roof and into your home can create a fire hazard if it comes into contact with electrical wires. And it can weaken the roof and underlying structure of the home to the extent that it becomes unsafe, due to the possibility of the roof or the ceiling beneath the leak collapsing.
Causes of Roof Leaks in New Construction
Roofs come in several varieties, including asphalt shingles, concrete tiles, EDPM membranes, and others. The cause of your leak will depend on the type of roofing and the manner in which it was installed. The defect may be in the installation or quality of the any of the roofs components: the framing, the wood decking, the underlayment, the metal flashings, or the exterior shingles, tiles, or other roofing materials.
Some of the many possible defects in roofing may include:
- Improperly installed or secured shingles or tiles
- Inadequate slope in membrane roofs
- Inadequate slope in gutters
- Errors in installation of gutters and downspouts
- Improperly installed roof vents
- Roofs lacking in properly installed sheet metal flashings and/or integrated edge metal
- Missing, poor quality, or improperly installed underlayment
- Improper valley construction at the point where the slope of two sections of the roof meet
Why The Freeman Law Firm is The Best Choice
Our results-oriented attorneys have many years of highly successful resolution experience in residential construction problems in Houston and throughout Southeast Texas and the Gulf region. We understand that your home is not only the focus of your family life, but also a very large financial investment. We are committed to making things right so you can enjoy your home and ensure its future value as an investment.
Contact our Houston Roof Leak Attorneys Today
We have the resources, experience, and clout of a large firm while being able to offer you the focused and personalized attention that is only possible at a smaller firm. We have connections with top experts in the construction industry, including structural engineers and forensic investigators, who will assist in documenting and supporting your roof damage claim and who will provide expert testimony on your behalf when necessary. Our Houston roof leak lawyers can often resolve these issues outside of court, but when required, we are always fully prepared to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you the satisfaction that you need. Call today to schedule your free consultation.
