Chief WINK Investigates Reporter Chorus Nylander
•6/17/2026
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Nearly four years after Hurricane Ian ripped through Southwest Florida, many homeowners are still dealing with the fallout. But for one elderly couple in Lee County, the nightmare isn’t from the storm itself—it’s what was put on top of their home afterward.
For Bob and Marie Sickles, their roof was devastated by Ian. They expected a brand-new roof to bring peace of mind. Instead, they got a recurring mystery substance and a company that stopped answering their calls. Chief WINK Investigates Reporter Chorus Nylander has been digging into the issue for more than three months to get answers.
The family at the center of this investigation is a couple in their 90s. What WINK Investigates found is that they are far from alone, and this roofing problem is widespread.
Glenn Sickles asked WINK Investigates to look into the issue, Bob and Marie are his parents. He lives in New York but his parent’s home in North Fort Myers is more than just property to him. It’s his parents' legacy, a sanctuary for family memories.
After the damage from Ian, his parents hired a Clearwater-based business, Comfort Cover Systems, to replace it, with the cost handled by insurance.
At first, it looked like a pristine white as intended. But Glenn said that didn't last long. Within six months of installation, he said the problems began.
"The roof in six months turned a black, moldy color," Glenn Sickles said.
That left his parents deeply concerned. For more than three years now, they’ve been fighting to get it fixed. Chorus Nylander spoke with his mother Marie, she says the company promised to take care of it through power washing.
"They said they would wash it three times," Marie Sickles said. "They washed it once, but it came back."
Glenn tried to help get the problem resolved.
"Called them [the company] up and basically they said, 'Your problem,' Glenn recalled.
Glenn’s father, Bob, was a hero during the Korean War and a Purple Heart recipient. After a lifetime of service and challenges, this was one situation he was hoping to resolve in his final years.
"He was wounded in Korea, always loved the country," Glenn said. "You hate to see somebody like that get treated bad.”
Glenn says Comfort Cover Systems blamed a defect from the roof’s manufacturer, a Texas-based company called IB Roof Systems. Eventually, he says, both companies stopped responding to him.
"The people won't even call us back anymore," Glenn said.
WINK Investigates repeatedly reached out to IB Roof Systems via phone and email to get their side of the story, but received no response.
Comfort Cover Systems did respond. While management declined an on-camera interview, Vice President Rebecca Mays provided a lengthy statement to WINK Investigates, stating they are "deeply disappointed" and share the customers' frustration.
Mays calls the issue a "dirt retention" problem limited to a specific three-year batch of material where the manufacturer changed its product formula.
"While the appearance of a dirty roof is understandably concerning and unsightly, it is important to note that this issue does not affect the structural integrity, weather resistance, or overall performance of the roofing system itself," Mays stated.
Mays revealed that the number of homes impacted is around 100. Numerous other frustrated customers have left negative reviews detailing similar experiences with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
According to Mays, continuing to fund cleanings for the large number of affected homes would force Comfort Cover Systems out of business. However, she noted the company has since switched to a different manufacturer, ending a 20-year relationship with IB Roof Systems.
The corporate explanations leave the Sickles family stuck with an unsightly roof and a substance they aren’t confident is just dirt.
"We don’t know what it is," Glenn said.
Mays stated that IB Roof Systems tested the substance but could not provide WINK Investigates with the findings. She noted she informed the manufacturer that WINK Investigates was asking questions, but again, there was no response.
For Glenn’s father, the answers are coming too late.
"My dad ended up going to the hospital and passed away last week," Glenn shared. Thursday would have been his 98th birthday. "He was just the greatest dad. You put the biggest smile on his face when you started investigating."
When sent the installer's statement, Glenn found it unconvincing.
"They said something about if they took care of everybody they might go bankrupt," Glenn said. "Truthfully, I’d like to see them close down."
Comfort Cover Systems says they will continue to advocate for affected homeowners to find a fair resolution with the manufacturer. The Sickles family, however, has little faith left.
Below is the complete statement provided to WINK Investigates by Rebecca Mays, Vice President of Comfort Cover Systems Inc.:
"Comfort Cover Systems Inc. has been in business since 1985. We are deeply disappointed that some of our customers continue to experience dirt retention issues on their white roofing systems. These customers trusted us with their homes, and we understand their frustration. We share that frustration and genuinely feel terrible that this situation has occurred.
For more than 20 years, we maintained a strong relationship with the manufacturer whose product was installed on the affected roofs. The issue is limited to roofing materials produced during an approximately three-year period. The manufacturer acknowledged there was a problem related to a change in the product formula and implemented a program to pay for roof washings. We were advised that after three to six cleanings, the issue would be resolved and normal performance would return.
Unfortunately, some customers continue to see dirt accumulation return within a relatively short period after cleaning. While the appearance of a dirty roof is understandably concerning and unsightly, it is important to note that this issue does not affect the structural integrity, weather resistance, or overall performance of the roofing system itself.
We have explored every practical option available to assist affected customers. If only a small number of roofs were involved, we would continue funding roof cleanings ourselves. However, the number of affected roofs and the ongoing costs are simply beyond what our company can absorb without jeopardizing our ability to remain in business.
This situation has had a significant impact on our company as well. It has damaged our reputation, strained customer relationships, and created severe financial hardship. We have already been forced to make difficult decisions, including the loss of valued long-term employees, as we work to keep our business operating.
Based on our longstanding relationship and the manufacturer's representations that the problem had been corrected, we continued to use the product. Once it became apparent that the issue had not been fully resolved, we immediately transitioned to a different manufacturer. Since making that change, we have not experienced this same dirt retention issue.
We remain committed to being honest and transparent with our customers. We will continue to advocate for affected homeowners and encourage all parties involved to work toward a fair resolution. Our customers have supported us for many years, and we sincerely regret that they are dealing with this issue.
Respectfully submitted: Rebecca Mays, VP"
WINK Investigates continues to dig deeper into this situation and will keep you updated as we learn more.
If you have a story you’d like us to investigate email us at winkinvestigates@winknews.com or call our tip line at 239-344-5074.
