Nisby Home Renovations Ltd

I chose Nisby to replace my roof a number of years ago, based on a recommendation from my neighbour. Their quote was pretty much in the middle of the four quotes I received, and their estimator was able to answer my questions very well. For the most part, the work was well done, although they did not install the drip edge on the back extension of the house -- which I did not notice until recently, when I had to go up onto the roof to investigate a leak around the chimney flashing. This is where I discovered that the crew had cut corners, which I did not notice at the time.

Having worked as a roofer during a summer job many years ago, I know that the flashing around the chimney is a prime source of roof leaks. To do the job properly, sheet metal must be bent and inserted into the spacing between the bricks and (ideally) mortared into place. Step flashing is used on the slope, and this is also sealed into the chimney. There are other methods of doing this, but this approach is the most common.

I had an idea that things were not well when I started to see indications that water was pooling above my kitchen ceiling, which is on the main floor of my two-story home. A careful inspection of the chimney from inside the house where the chimney penetrates the roofline revealed a sliver of light along the chimney, indicating the source of the leak. I had never noticed any leaks previously, but this is because the water had been channeling along the chimney and soaking into the structure of my second floor. This was never apparent, until the accumulated damage began to be revealed by drywall stains in the kitchen ceiling.

I got up on a ladder today to investigate why the flashing had failed, only to discover the re-flashing I had paid for was simply a piece of sheet metal folded around the chimney and pasted on with roofing cement. Given that there was nothing substantial fastening the flashing to the chimney, the cement had dried out and cracked -- probably within a year or two of the work being done -- allowing the sheet metal to pull away from the chimney and cause a leak. This should have never happened had the work been done correctly. Having discovered that this leak had probably been allowing seepage into the house for many years, I now have to have the attic and roof structure inspected for rot due to water damage. The frustrating part is that I did not climb up on the roof in order to inspect the workmanship before paying for the job. Obviously, this would not be required if a reputable firm is doing the work!

I patched the flashing with more roofing cement today, but this is only a temporary fix. In the spring, I will have to remove the shingles around the chimney so that the the flashing can be re-done and sealed correctly. This situation should never have happened. Although I was satisfied with the job at the time, I now find myself faced with potential damage to the structure of my home and a very expensive roof repair because Nisby's crew had cut corners, doing shoddy and completely substandard work on a critical part of the roof that could not be easily seen and assessed from ground level. This is not what I expected from a supposedly reputable firm. Buyer beware.