Response from Superior Chimney Services Corporation
Shoulder repair=$1884 not $8000. We serviced many parts of his chimney. He 1st called 3-21-08 & scheduled an est 4 chimney repair noting “miserable experiences with other companies.” We’ve been 2 his home 8 x’s. 3 appts were 4 analysis of initial/persistent water leak. 3 appt fees ($343) were waived in appreciation of our new client & in consideration of his “miserable experiences” with the industry. Our effort was 2 earn a client 4 life! A human can only make the exposed parts of chimney water tight by repairing existing intrusion points. If problem persists, U hose/water test the chimney & surrounding home structure. A chimney is approx 35%+ concealed behind roofing/soffits/siding/etc. When leak persists, U replicate rain with hose water. If U don’t make the chimney 100% visually water tight B4 a test, there’s no chance of knowing if the leak U replicated from water testing is from a point beyond your visual scope. It isn’t the proper process of leak resolution procedure 2 water test with open intrusion points. 8-18-08 multiple appts later, his leak issue was pin pointed/resolved. The chimney shoulder was rebuilt/tuckpointed/& Chimney Saver repellant applied. He, until now, has expressed appreciation of our professionalism/etc. 4-27-09, he called & said our work fell apart & his chimney is leaking again. Again, we promptly set an appt. 4-30-09 our tech arrived in the rain. He saw a “water fall” of a gutter on the shoulder side of the chimney. The water overflowed from the ill pitched gutter & fell 10+ft on the shoulder. Our tech detailed all in writing & advised gutter B repaired & water diverters B explored. We always take pics of everything we inspect & do including before/after pics. Yes, we have pics of the “waterfall.” 5-06-09 I left a msg. 4 him 2 see if he had the gutter repaired. 7-02-09 he called back. I asked if the gutter was repaired yet-he said yes. Great, we’ve discounted the re-restoration to $723. He said a contractor he knows said our work should last longer than 1yr & he feels the shoulder that “fell apart” should be warranted. I detailed that the repair would have lasted longer than the warranty terms if it wasn’t subjected 2 a “waterfall” gutter in disrepair. He asked why our techs didn’t notice the gutter B4. I said we R a chimney Co. not a gutter Co. Gutters are not in the scope of a professional chimney inspection anywhere in the USA. Your gutter sags more when filled/overflowing as it did when our tech noticed it. We’ve had seven diff techs & 4 diff assistants out there who didn’t “notice” it. He believes the “sealer” we put on should have worked better/lasted & protected our work. I told him Chimney Saver is water repellant, not a sealer. It prevents rain absorption into brick/mortar. Sealers R detrimental 2 structural longevity of masonry & R ill advised. I advised he contact the Illinois Masonry Advisory Council 4 confirmation of his disbelief of my statements. He said “but you mentioned the flashing?” insinuating-why didn’t we mention the gutter. I said flashing is an integral part of a chimney. It’s mounted 2 the roof & chimney. Gutters R not integral/mounted 2 chimneys. I said, yes, our work does/will last longer than 1yr, but not in this circumstance. There is no negligence on our part. Otherwise, we would not hesitate 2 warranty this. I re-enforced our stance in the business of customer service - without customers, there is no “business” to be in! He said he disagrees, thinks we R responsible & doesn’t want 2 do business with us anymore-hung up. If when it’s raining U notice your 8 month old patio paver bricks R separating under an overflowing gutter-are U going 2 call the patio install co. & expect warranty? This is someone’s responsibility, but not the patio install co. If during a heavy rain U notice drywall water damage inside your new home addition-are U going 2 call the drywall co. & expect warranty? This is someone’s responsibility, but not the drywall co. I called Saver Systems (Chimney Saver’s manufacturer) & sent 163 pics taken from 8 appts to their tech dept 4 review of warranty claim. They concur, there is no material/workmanship failure-denied claim. We’ve reviewed this situation from a customer service/ethical/financial/legal stand point. We stand behind our initial discount offer 2 re-restore the shoulder @ $723. Solely in good faith, we’ll extend employee discount (11%). $723-$79.53=$643.47 /*Note:Files available upon request (8 invoices/3 contracts/163 photos)