Help! There's water slowly dripping through a light fixture...

[Writer]

This is a spot on the ceiling beneath a gable on which we installed a roof-mount evaporative cooler this summer. I'm going to guess that, in the installation, they left a hole in our roof - or, at least, enough that would cause a leak from the melting snow on the roof. Unbelievable.

I guess I can call the insurance company, but to be honest, I think the installers need to come out here and take a look at this. Oh - and one other thing - the company that did our sealing and insulation work SEALED SHUT THE ATTIC ACCESS. My husband had to beat it open to take a look at the roof.

Any good means of taking care of this problem as quickly as possible?

[denbot]

1. Get that contractor back asap.

Don't take any shit from them. Get the number to your state contractors license board and let the company that installed it know that they will be the next number called if they are not there asap.
Any resulting damage from a faulty installation is their responsibility. Then call your insurance company.

[Writer]

2. Thanks... I did write the man an email, and I will follow-up with a phone call in the morning.

It's actually a fairly good company, and they guarantee their work, but it was also installed as part of a energy savings improvement program in our county. Their reputation is rather important to maintain, as the county is continuing the program and they'd like to continue reaping the benefits.

[michreject]

3. This is why you should only deal with companies

that are bonded and insured. Otherwise you're SOL.

[hobbit709]

4. turn that circuit breaker OFF now.

[elehhhhna]

5. The installers ned to come asap and they also need to bring in

a drying company (Servpro, for example) to handle the structural drying so you don't develop a mold isssue down the road. It's probabaly been a small leak for ages, the melt is exacerbating it now, and yeah -- shut off the breaker stat. IF THE CEILING START TO SAG: poke a hole at the lowest point (screwdriver, broomhandle -- whatever's handy) and make sure there's a big plastic trash can under it to catch the water...ya dont' want the drywall coming down on ya!