Temo Sunroom, Installed By Melani Brothers tons of leaks, water damage, mold growth, ruined carpets and furniture, shotty construction Yorktown Virginia

I also have a Temo sunroom that leaks and has caused several hundreds of dollars in damage to the structure itself, carpeting, and furniture.

After viewing the pictures that Judy, from Garrison N.Y. submitted, I can honestly say that I think we have the exact same leaks (in the same places), and I understand the horror that she and her family have been going through.

My sunroom was installed by Melani Brothers of Virginia about two years ago. We had minor problems after the installation (two windows not workng properly, and a cracked window), but they were taken care of within a reasonable amount of time.

However, this past August (2006), our family went on a five day vacation, and when we returned, I noticed a horrible odor coming from the room that the sunroom is attached to. I opened the door and, to my shock, it smelled like someone had died and decomposed. There was water leaking down the siding (inside) and from the seams on the roof, and there was green and black mold on the entire right side of our carpet. There was even a small plant growing out of the carpet. Yes, a plant! I was really shocked and even though it was a Friday evening, called the company. The representative told me everyone had left for the weekend, and someone would call me back Monday.

Well, Monday came and went, and no call. I called back Tuesday, and was told that the woman who handled these things was not in, and would have to leave a message. I did, and waited about three days before ever getting a return call. When I finally got in touch with her and explained what had happened, she actually had the nerve to tell me that she thought I was making up the story, because mold couldn't appear that quickly. Having experienced mold problems in the past, I knew this wasn't true. I informed her that mold absolutely can grow that fast, in fact, it can grow within 48 hours given the right conditions. She then proceeded to ask me if I had left the windows open while we were away, and I said no. After running out of things to blame it on, she told me that it was my fault for keeping the room closed with no ventilation for five days (???!!!). I told her that it should not matter how long I have the room closed, this shouldn't be happening. She then told me I would have to wait until November to get someone to come out and look at it (this was August when I was calling!) I told her that was unacceptable, and needed someone right away. She said the best she could do was October. I really had no other choice, so I said fine.

I immediately contacted my homeowner's insurance, and they sent a rep to survey the damage. They agreed to pay for mold removal and part of the carpet. I had to pay a $500.00 deductible, so I pretty much broke even. A mold service company had to come in and disinfect the entire room and its contents. After they were done, I cleaned the room from top to bottom myself (to try and save money). However, I lost all of my furniture, carpeting, and my new pool table sustained permanent damage.

After the technician came out and "fixed" everything, and thinking the nightmare was finally over, I began to install new carpeting. I bought carpet tiles that could easily be removed in the event this happened again. Luckily I did! After about 90% of the floor was done, I saw new leaks and had to rip it all out again. Six months later, I still have no carpeting, leaks, and am unable to use the room. It has been a very long, expensive, and stressful process.

I have a feeling that it is either the materials they are receiving from Temo, or how these builders are being "trained" to install the materials. The repair technician that has been handling our case, told me that whoever put our sunroom together did a "really bad and rush job caulking and putting the roof together." He also said that he has seen this before, particularly with customers who had snow on their roofs and when the snow melted, all of it went inside instead of draining outside.

I just wanted to inform people who are considering getting a Temo sunroom to look around and really do your homework before investing this much money. I am out $30,000.00 and have a room that I can't even use. The scary part is that even if you ask for recommendations, they will only supply you with the "happy" customers. I recently went on Melani Brothers website to see if anyone else was having a problem, and there is not one negative comment in the customer response section. How could that be? They are misleading people, that's how.

I truly feel that this should not be happening; these sunrooms supposedly have a lifetime guarantee and their 'claim to fame' is the integrity of the structure and that it is the best out there.

Buyer beware!!

Flip
Tidewater, Virginia
U.S.A.