Hurricane Laura Bringing Strong Winds & Rainfall To East Texas

Hurricane Laura was upgraded to a Category 3 storm early Wednesday morning and remains on track to make landfall along the Texas and Louisiana coast on Wednesday night. Data from the National Hurricane Center shows that it could become a Category 4 storm before slamming into the shore.

Cities along the coastline, such as Galveston and Port Arthur, are likely to see catastrophic damage.

The impact on East Texas will naturally be less severe, but still significant, starting late Wednesday night. “Winds are expected to begin increasing over the southernmost sections of East Texas, spreading northward during the day on Thursday,” stated KLTV Chief Meteorologist Mark Scirto. “Maximum wind gusts of 80 mph or more are possible.”

Scirto also predicts 4-6 inches of rain for eastern counties, 2-4 inches of rain for central counties, and 1-2 inches of rain along the western fringe. This begins with scattered showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday afternoon, as the outer bands of Hurricane Laura reach East Texas. The rain and wind increase Wednesday night and continue throughout all of Thursday.

There is also a chance for isolated tornadoes and Flash Flood Watches in some counties.

Clear skies return to East Texas on Friday afternoon, making this weekend a perfect opportunity to assess potential damage from the storm. Strong winds can tear shingles from roofs and heavy rainfall may lead to leaks inside of homes and businesses. Let the highly trained experts at Stonewater Roofing help you locate the damage and get it properly repaired, providing peace of mind for many years to come.

National Roofing Week Puts Focus On Roofing Industry & Community

Stonewater Roofing is celebrating National Roofing Week from August 23-29, 2020. This is a chance to stress the need for a good roof on every home and business, focus on the value of a reputable roofing company, and promote positive endeavors within the residential and commercial roofing industry and the community.

Organized by the National Roofing Contractors Association, this annual occasion serves as a reminder that the roof is one of the most important components of every structure. It is the first line of defense against the elements. However, it is often taken for granted until it falls into disrepair.

For this reason, it is crucial that home and business owners make informed decisions about maintaining and replacing their roof systems when needed.

National Roofing Week enables roofing professionals to engage with their communities and inform the public about the essential role that a roof and a roofing company play in our lives. “Stonewater is committed to informing customers of the importance of choosing the right roofer,” explained Annissa Albers, Events & Marketing Coordinator for Stonewater Roofing. “This week helps Stonewater spread the word through different posts and events.”

Keep an eye on Stonewater Roofing’s Facebook page to see what is being done to celebrate the week. “We want to highlight our National Roofing Week projects as well as thank the employees of Stonewater Roofing for the hard work that they do.”

Stonewater Ranked Top 100 Roofing Contractors In North America

Stonewater Roofing announced Tuesday that the company has been named by Roofing Contractor magazine as one of the Top 100 Roofing Contractors in North America. The East Texas organization came in at No. 83 on the publication’s annual ranking for 2020.

This is the second year in a row that Stonewater Roofing received this honor. In 2019, the company was No. 88 on the list.

“One of the biggest characteristics of this company is that we pride ourselves on continuous growth,” said Chief Marketing Officer Trent Spradlin. “As our company grows, it’s a sign that our community is growing right along with us. The primary recognition we receive is the satisfaction from our customers. After that, recognition from the primary source of roofing news and information is just icing on the cake.”

This year has seen unique challenges within the roofing industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, quarantine mandates forced companies to find new ways of working with customers while maintaining social distancing. However, the team at Stonewater Roofing already had innovative procedures in place.

Remote Roofing by Stonewater lets customers receive roof repairs with limited contact. The process is easy. For instance, online payments and shared digital files allow you to take care of damages from anywhere, on your schedule.

Boxer Shawn Porter Shares Candid Story About Setback With Father

Professional boxer and two-time welterweight world champion Shawn Porter joined the Stonewater Roofing sales staff earlier this month for an inspirational look back at his career. When asked about one of his biggest setbacks, Porter told a candid story about clashing with his father.

Porter’s father also acts as his manager and trainer.

“My dad and I were not on the same page,” Porter said, “bumping heads in the gym and that carries on into home.”

“I basically stopped communicating with him, even though we were still in camp, still training together,” continued Porter. “I told myself that I had to protect myself, I had to protect my emotional state, I had to protect my mental and psychological state, so I could get in the ring and do what I had to do.”

The disagreement lasted three or four weeks, Porter said. It did not end until the weigh-in, on the day before a big fight. It was not clear which bout this preceded.

Porter was able to overcome the setback by creating space. “You’ve got to listen to him,” he said. “At the same time, create enough space from him so you can protect yourself and be ready for this fight.”

“We might all have relationships in our life that we shouldn’t have,” Porter said. “If there’s no way around it, we have to figure out how to make those relationships work that are going to be fruitful for us.”

Things have since gotten much better between Porter and his father. They continue to work together on a daily basis. “Through the grace of God, my dad and I are beautiful and closer than we’ve ever been,” he said. “But, for a while there, I thought it was the end for us.”

Stonewater Employee Proves Roofing Industry Isn’t Just A Man’s World

The construction industry is often thought of as a boys club. Jobs are typically filled by tough guys with muscles like superheroes. But don’t tell that to Tayler Burkett. As one of Stonewater Roofing’s new project managers, she is proving that roofing is no longer a man’s world.

“I’ve had people tell me that this is a man’s job and ask me if I was ready for what I was getting myself into,” said Burkett from her latest project site, a home in an exclusive east Tyler subdivision. “I don’t think that females come short of many things. We’re as capable as men.”

“I think anybody can do anything that they set their mind to,” Burkett added.

More than a thousand people across the country agree with Burkett and have joined National Women in Roofing, an organization created to help advance the careers of women in the roofing industry. Stonewater Roofing has been approved as a company that supports females.

The coronavirus pandemic pushed Burkett out of restaurant management and forced her to explore other options. With some encouragement from friends, she decided to try something completely different. Burkett joined the Stonewater Roofing team in May. “I just took a leap of faith and went with it,” she said. “I love Stonewater, so it’s somewhere to make a career.”

“Stonewater does pride itself on its diversity,” explained COO and co-owner Jacob Law. Indeed, the company includes employees from various backgrounds. “We’ve got a lot of women and men in the same roles, project management, office staff and otherwise. What it does for us is it just creates a whole and cohesive team.

“We just want to make sure we have the right people in the right positions, regardless of exactly where they come from. Whether they be male or female,” Law continued, “we want to make sure we have the right person in the position that’s going to be able to serve the company’s needs, but also take care of our customers. We don’t really care who that is, as long as they can get the job done and get it done right.”

The project manager must be able to effectively communicate with both the property owner and the construction crew, ensuring that everything is done the Stonewater way. “I don’t see any difference with a woman or a man out here as a project manager, as long as they’re authoritative,” said CCO Shay Burton. “It’s all about getting your crew’s respect.”

“They work well together and I work well with them,” Burkett said of her crew. “We’re all in the same team, working toward the end goal, which is making the customer happy, doing things the Stonewater way, always following the same guidelines no matter male or female.”

Burton agrees. “Tayler’s doing good,” he said. “There’s still things she’s going to learn along the way. We expect everybody to do that. But she’s calling, she’s asking questions, she’s getting her hands dirty, she’s getting in there with the crew, elbows deep. Couldn’t ask for anything else.”

Stonewater Creates First East Texas Council For Women In Roofing

Stonewater Roofing is proud to support women by offering them a wide variety of careers in the typically male-dominated roofing industry. In addition, the company now has teamed up with National Women in Roofing to help develop the organization’s new East Texas council.

When most people think of roofing, they imagine strong men with hammers and shingles. But that is not always the case. Women are a key part of the industry. Inspections. Insurance claims. Construction. In every step of the roofing process, females play a vital role. This has been the case with Stonewater Roofing for the past decade.

“Stonewater has always strived to be inclusive,” explained Dianna Gregg, the company’s Director of Operations. “We have women on the office staff, at the executive table, and at the construction site. There is nothing that stops a female from holding these positions. In fact, it benefits us to have a variety of viewpoints at all levels of the company.”

For instance, Tayler Burkett is one of Stonewater Roofing’s newest hires. As a project manager, she reports to work sites across East Texas. Burkett ensures that all crews properly install new roofs on homes. The job requires strong leadership skills. “I don’t think that females come short of many things. We’re as capable as men,” she said.

National Women in Roofing took notice. The volunteer group consists of nearly 1,500 members across the nation. It aims to advance the careers of female roofing professionals. They provide networking, mentoring and education opportunities for women in all areas of the roofing industry.

This is done, in part, through local councils. Many have already been established in cities nationwide such as DFW, Houston and Austin. However, none yet exist in East Texas. National Women in Roofing is looking to change that by forming a council in Tyler. So, the group worked with Gregg and Stonewater Roofing for help.

“I was really excited to get approved. The council is already forming and I’m eager to get started,” Gregg said. “Stonewater Roofing has long supported women within our company. We are honored to continue that trend throughout the entire roofing industry here in East Texas.”

The council will regularly meet to discuss issues that impact women in the industry. They will have a chance to connect with their peers, exchange ideas and express concerns. Above all else, members are encouraged to work together and empower each other. “The main goal is to support and inspire members in their careers,” Gregg added.

“We expect a number of meetings and activities to be announced soon,” stated Gregg. Recruitment events are also being planned for those who wish to join the East Texas council. However, the first few meetings will be held online due to COVID-19. Visit the National Women in Roofing website for updates.

“This is an exciting new chapter for women in the roofing industry,” Gregg said, “and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

Enjoy Delicious Treats At Fair Food Drive-In Days In Tyler

Do you love fair food? Well, you don’t have to wait until September to sink your teeth into a turkey leg, funnel cake, corn dog, or any other delicious treats. The East Texas State Fair is hosting Fair Food Drive-In Days from June 4-7 behind Harvey Convention Center in Tyler.

John Sykes, President and CEO of the East Texas State Fair, called this event “one of the most exciting things that we’ve ever tried to do, especially non-fair time.” Pick up food and enjoy it wherever you please. Eat in the car. Bring it back home. Tailgate in your front yard. The choice is all yours.

East Texas State Fair's Fair Food Drive-In Days

Grab some delicious treats at the East Texas State Fair’s Fair Food Drive-In Days.

Stonewater Roofing is at the event, handing out free bags and telling visitors how a new roof can provide peace of mind. Be sure to look for us when you’re there!

The idea for this new event came directly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. “As things began to open up, we thought, what is a better way to make people happy than to have some fair food available, just even for a few days,” Sykes explained. But it was not just about those craving fair food. This event helps the hard-working vendors as well.

“The concessionaires have been completely frozen out,” Sykes said. “All the events around the United States, if they haven’t been canceled, they’ve been delayed or postponed, and they’re literally starving. They needed a chance to work and to have a chance to make an extra dollar.”

The early results have pleased fair officials. “We have been completely surprised,” said Sykes. He had no idea what to expect from this event. In fact, he is already thinking about plans for next year. “It’s just unbelievable how many folks have come out and enjoyed everything from turkey legs to french fries.”

“We would deem it highly successful,” Sykes added.

However, the focus will soon shift to the East Texas State Fair. Officials are keeping a close eye on government guidelines, hoping that the fair can still open on September 25 as planned. “Right now,” Sykes said, “this is a prelude into the East Texas State Fair in September.”

Wienerland’s Iconic Roof Held Record For Steep Pitch

One of Tyler’s most iconic buildings will soon be gone. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reported in March that the former home of Wienerland is set to be demolished. The business holds many memories for East Texans, but is also well known within the roofing industry. That is because Wienerland’s roof held the record for the steepest pitch on a commercial building in Tyler.

Pitch is essentially the angle or slope of a roof. It is expressed as a ratio of vertical rise to horizontal span. For consistency within the United States, the span is always 12 inches. So, pitch measures how many inches a roof rises over the course of 12 horizontal inches. The easiest and safest way to measure the pitch of a roof is from the attic.

Slope Diagram

There are several common pitches within the construction industry, such as 4/12 for low-slope roofs up to 9/12 for steeper-slope roofs. The old Wienerland building is an oddity at 18.4/12 and an angle of nearly 57 degrees.

Pitch helps to redirect water and snow. Areas that see significant amounts of precipitation will typically require greater pitches or minimum slopes on buildings for protection. Since rain and snow are not regular issues in East Texas, the Wienerland pitch must have been for other reasons.

Perhaps the pitch was to attract attention. If that was the case, it certainly worked. Wienerland was a cherished eatery in the Tyler community for five decades, starting in 1968 as Der Wienerschnitzel. It was rebranded as Wienerland in the 1980s and saw great success along East 5th Street. After the owners died in 2016, the location was sold. Wienerland then reopened in May 2017, but it closed again in August 2018.

The building is being torn down to make way for HTeaO, a modern iced tea franchise.

Yes, You Have To Pay Your Deductible For Roofing Claims

Do you have to pay your insurance deductible? It is a question that confuses many homeowners, and Stonewater Roofing hears it often. In nearly every situation, the answer is yes.

Most people have not needed to make a roofing or home repair claim with their insurance company, but may have done so with their car insurance. It’s a very similar process. You have a set deductible for your car insurance. Then, when you get into a fender bender, you can take your car to the shop. You pay your deductible, the shop fixes your car, and you get your car back.

The same thing occurs with the roofing insurance claim process.

In most states, including Texas, homeowners are required to pay that deductible. However, many roofing companies will offer to absorb the cost. This is illegal. You should not trust a company that is breaking the law.

But also, if a company does not ask you to pay your deductible, where does that money go? It is likely coming out of the materials or the quality of the roof that they are installing on your home. “You want to be careful with your contractors,” stated Stonewater Roofing COO and co-owner Jacob Law. “Make sure that everybody is doing things above board and the correct way, not only by you, but also the insurance company and state regulations.”

Most contractors understand how a deductible payment can impact a family after a storm. They will likely offer financing options to cover the deductible and minimize the hardship.

In summary, yes, your deductible does need to be paid. Make sure that you hire a contractor who understands this and can guide you through the process the correct way.

Stonewater Uses Only The Best Roofing Materials From GAF

Do not get sold by sales tricks. Choose a company that uses only the best materials from GAF, the nation’s largest roofing manufacturer.

Go ahead and ask your roofing contractor if they are going to use GAF materials. See if they don’t try to sell you on something that is supposedly “better” (actually just cheaper for them). If they are using GAF materials, be sure to find out if your roof will have a full GAF system: synthetic underpayment (not black felt paper), real starter shingles, leak barrier protection and attic ventilation.

If it is not a full GAF system, you will not get the GAF Wind Proven Warranty of unlimited wind speeds.

“You may also want to inquire how you can get a 10-year or even a 25-year labor warranty,” added Stonewater Roofing co-owner and COO Jacob Law. “Unfortunately, most will not be authorized to offer it to you.”

When you choose Stonewater Roofing, the full GAF system is standard. If your project is an insurance claim, we only require that you follow the law and pay your deductible. You will receive the full GAF system at no extra cost.

Together with GAF, Stonewater Roofing helps you protect what matters most!