Church sues contractor over leaky roof

A church that claims it paid more than $3 million for the construction of a new church alleges it has suffered water leakage that may cause serious structural damages.

New Life in Christ Interdenominational Church, located on Scott-Troy Road in Lebanon, claims it hired defendant SunCon to build a new church for $3,119,963.

Less than six months after the congregation moved into the church, it began to notice roof leakage issues in November 2005, according to the complaint filed Oct. 30 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Although New Life has made numerous requests that SunCon fix the leakage problems, the leaks still continue, the suit states. Each time SunCon visits the church, though, it assures New Life the issues have been fixed, the complaint says.

"Not until the leaks continued for several months was Plaintiff put on notice that there could be potentially serious structural, design or construction issues with the church, specifically including but not limited to its roof," the suit states.

New Life claims the leaking is caused because flexible conduit was improperly installed on the roof, metal screws extend through the roof walls and trim, roof ventilation pipe boots are sunken, which allows water to pool on the roof, metal plates and end closures are improperly installed and coping was improperly installed. In addition, the metal ridge cap's installation is such that it may allow water into the interior area of the roof, there are missing splash pads from down spouts, there are missing gutter stays, there are missing closures on the parapet's coping and there is missing sill flashing, according to the complaint.

Because of the water problems, New Life will be forced to incur significant repair costs, the suit states.

In the four-count suit, New Life is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, which include his costs and attorneys' fees, plus other relief the court deems just.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-586.