BECOME COMMON KNOWLEDGE
Roofing contractor associations across the country became aware of the inferior quality of fiberglass shingles
when member contractors complained shingles didn't contain enough asphalt and were failing within 10 years.
Contractor associations presented these concerns to asphalt manufacturers and, in a short period of time,
the inferior quality of fiberglass shingles became common knowledge within the entire roofing industry.
The concerns regarding asphalt shingles began as a result of complaints received from
(Western States Roofing Contractors Association) WSRCA member contractors. Following
complaints, in 1991, the WSRCA circulated an Asphalt Shingle Problem questionnaire to its
members to determine if there was a problem with asphalt shingles. [1]
The results of the questionnaire showed that many of the 20-year guaranteed asphalt fiberglass shingles
were failing as early as six months and continuing to fail up to 12 years. The average failures were
occurring at about five years of age. The WSRCA determined that there was a problem. [2]
The failures and problems reported included: blow-offs, buckling, curling, loss of granules,
splitting and cracking and seal-down problems. [3]
While many asphalt manufacturers (and roofers) like to pretend that problems with premature failures
were limited to cheaper (post 1980) organic shingles, the fact is, premature asphalt failures have ALWAYS
been associated with the modern fiberglass design.
This fact is quickly confirmed with a cursory examination of the trade magazines in the early 1990's
which contained numerous articles on defective fiberglass shingles - and strategies for roofing contractors
to eliminate financial liability for selling fiberglass shingles that were expected to fail prematurely.
While the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) is credited with initial identification
of the defective fiberglass shingles, other contractor associations from across the country were also reporting
premature failure of fiberglass shingles and expressing similar concerns about potential financial liabilities
resulting from the continued sales of these defective shingles.
The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA), another trade organization, has also received
reports from their members of early failure of fiberglass shingles from Connecticut to California...
According to Don Berg, of the National roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) technical department,
the cracking is not limited to one or two brands, or one or two types of qualities of shingles. It has
occurred in the commodity grade and the architect grade shingles. Berg has received reports
from generally around the country... [4]
As a result of complaints by contractor associations, in the early 1990's, asphalt manufacturers were forced
to admit they had been (and were) selling defective fiberglass shingles and the premature failure of fiberglass
shingles was not limited to any particular manufacturer, or any particular type of asphalt shingle.
Unfortunately, while asphalt manufacturers were finally forced to acknowledge the sale of defective shingles,
they did NOT initiate any product recalls and they did NOT alert consumers to the (well) known problem of
premature failures. They simply acknowledged they were aware of the defective shingles and they promised
to "study" the problem.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is also aware of the problem, and
responding in part to WSRCA test results, has recently formed a task force to study it and find
solutions... the cracking problem occurs in a number of different types of shingles, from a number
of different manufacturers, in many parts of the country. [5]
The premature failure of fiberglass shingles is simply historical fact. Reports of defective fiberglass shingles
were documented by contractor association and acknowledged by manufacturer associations. By the late
1990's, premature failure of "modern" asphalt shingles, both organic and fiberglass, was common knowledge
within the roofing industry - and had started to become more widely known by the general public...
finally resulting in several recent Class Action Lawsuits.
Unfortunately, asphalt manufacturers were very reluctant to even admit shingles were failing prematurely.
They NEVER issued product recalls or warned unsuspecting consumers about defective shingles. They have
continued to deny liability - while providing (hundreds of) millions of dollars for Class Action Settlements.
And still, some consumers are SHOCKED by information that manufacturers (and roofers) are currently
selling fiberglass shingles with a documented history of premature failures. Consumers should not be shocked
that roofers are currently selling products KNOWN to be defective - because roofers have been selling
defective shingles for almost 30 years.
The asphalt roofing industry is NOT like the automotive industry
There are no "Recalls" when asphalt shingles are found to be Defective
Recent history has shown defective shingles continue to be sold for Decades
The asphalt industry does not NEED to demonstrate the same responsibility as the automotive industry
because most Americans move every 5 to 7 years - before the premature failures occur - so they are not
affected by sales of shingles known to be defective... the subsequent homeowners must deal with the
premature failures. Asphalt manufacturers have even admitted this Strategy of Planned Obsolescence
in major trade publications. [6]
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[1] Charles Frost and Arlene Lawson, 'Seminare to Explore Asphalt Shingle Concerns'
Western Roofing Magazine, (Jan/Feb 1992)
[2] ibid
[3] ibid
[4] Ted Cushman, 'Choosing an Asphalt Shingle: Organic vs Fiberglass'
Journal of Light Construction Magazine, (May 1993)
[5] ibid
[6] Greg Malarkey, 'Cheap shingles: As with Everything Else in Life, You Get What You Pay For'
Western Roofing Magazine (Nov/Dec 1991)
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