Residents Dispute Roof Repair with FKR at Historic Griboyedov House

In the center of St. Petersburg, next to the Kazan Cathedral, a major roof repair is underway at the Vladimirsky House, built almost 130 years ago. The address: 31 Griboyedov Canal Embankment. Residents had long awaited this renovation — «the roof was like a sieve,» said one resident, Mikhail. The client is the Capital Repair Fund (FKR), the designer is Master Roof, and the contractor is KitInvest. The total contract for eight addresses amounted to 120 million rubles ($1,333,300 at current rates), with 19.2 million rubles ($213,300) allocated for this house.

After work began, residents had questions. Mikhail, a builder by profession, noticed that some wooden beams were replaced while others were left old — with deep cracks, signs of wood-boring beetles, mold, and rot. When asked, workers replied: «We do as the project dictates.»

Before the repair, the structures should have been tested for biological damage using probing. Mikhail requested the survey results from the FKR, but was passed from the fund to the district administration and the management company — the documents were never provided.

Furthermore, old slag used as insulation was left in the attic. According to the project, vapor barrier and 150 mm of mineral wool should be laid on top of it. Mikhail believes this violates thermal protection requirements: slag is hygroscopic, absorbs moisture, loses thermal insulation properties, and may be radioactive or contain heavy metals. Moisture from the slag can transfer to wooden elements, causing rot.

Residents also point to the unsecured mauerlat (roof base beam) — it is rotten and sits on a crumbling brick wall where individual bricks can be removed by hand. According to Mikhail, under load such a mauerlat could «shift» and the roof could collapse.

In the FKR«s response (which residents have), defects identified during inspection are listed: the lathing is affected by rot up to 1/2 or full cross-section, rafter legs, braces, and purlin are damaged by destructive rot, the mauerlat and run are partially rotted by 1/3 and even completely. However, according to calculations, only defective elements are subject to replacement, not the entire system.

Regarding the slag, the FKR responded that its complete removal is not mandatory: the weight of the fill is accounted for in the building«s design, and its removal would disrupt the rigidity balance of the floor. Replacing slag with another heavy material is inexpedient.

The fund also reported that the work is being carried out strictly according to the project documentation, which has been approved by the district administration. A thermal engineering calculation showed that insulation with mineral wool while partially retaining the slag is acceptable. There is no basis for adjusting the project.

Mikhail appealed to the Housing Inspectorate, Rospotrebnadzor, the Prosecutor«s Office, and the Investigative Committee. He has already given statements to an investigator. A pre-investigation check is underway under Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (performance of work that does not meet safety requirements). The penalty ranges from a fine of 300,000 rubles ($3,300) to 2 years in prison, and if committed by a group by prior conspiracy, up to 6 years.

The Investigative Committee confirmed to Fontanka that the check is ongoing and a construction and technical examination will be ordered. Residents intend to seek a halt to the work and changes to the project: full replacement of wooden structures and removal of the old slag.

The expert warns: the court case could take years and require significant financial costs.