SportsCon In Dallas Gives Fans Chance To Meet Athletes

For the past two years, sports fans from across the nation have descended on DFW for the National Fantasy Football Convention. Now, the event is evolving into something even bigger. This summer, get ready for the first-ever SportsCon, a celebration of all sports, giving fans a chance to interact with their favorite professional athletes.

The original convention was the brainchild of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

When the event’s first two years were an overwhelming success, organizers knew that they needed to step up their game. “After listening to fans, attendees, players and sponsors, it was clear that everyone wanted more,” explained SportsCon CEO Andy Alberth. “We really had no choice but to expand in a major way.”

Inspired by the annual San Diego Comic Con, the new SportsCon aims to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sports fans from around the world, offering interactive exhibits and panel conversations with top athletes and sports personalities. “Instead of meeting your favorite superheroes, you get to meet your favorite sports heroes,” Alberth continued.

FOOTBALL

Ezekiel Elliott

Melvin Gordon

Dez Bryant

Michael Irvin

Taco Charlton

+ MORE!

BASEBALL

Pete Rose

Delino DeShields

Jose Canseco

Rusty Greer

Dwight Gooden

+ MORE!

BASKETBALL

Devin Harris

Charlie Villanueva

Trey Burke

Justin Jackson

Chris Owens

+ MORE!

FIGHTING

Randy Couture

Errol Spence Jr.

Shawn Porter

Paulie Ayala

Rashad Coulter

+ MORE!

More than 150 professional athletes are scheduled to attend. This includes stars from the world of football, baseball, basketball, boxing and mixed martial arts. SportsCon will also feature two football fields, multiple basketball hoops, putting greens, batting cages, a wrestling ring and an eSports lounge.

SportsCon will be held on July 12-14 at Fair Park in Dallas. Tickets are available now. Visit the event’s official website for more information including pricing details, a complete schedule of events and updated list of attending athletes. Stonewater Roofing is proud to be a sponsor of this unique sporting experience.

Wind Can Be More Damaging To Your Roof Than Hail

It makes perfect sense that hailstones would cause damage to your home’s roof. After all, we’re talking about chunks of ice barreling down onto your property at a high rate of speed. But even storms that do not have much hail can be destructive to your roof. That is because wind has the power to rip away entire pieces of your home’s protective top layer.

Such a storm was felt recently in the DFW area. There were very few reports of hail, but winds reaching up to 80 mph knocked down trees and power lines, damaged buildings and even toppled a crane in downtown Dallas. It might not be the kind of storm that has homeowners thinking about roof repairs, but that is a mistake.

According to the National Weather Service, some slight roof damage can occur with just 45 mph winds, even though this is considered to be a “non-severe” storm. A traditional “severe” storm features winds of at least 58 mph, and definitely has the potential to rip apart a home’s roof. Wind speeds above 75 mph will likely cause widespread roof damage.

The effects of strong winds on a home can be pretty interesting, because the damage is not done in a uniform manner. Wind tends to cause the greatest amount of damage along the edges of a roof, or in areas that were damaged by a previous storm. Those are the places where the shingles can most easily be ripped away from your property.

Much of the reasoning is based in science. Wind pressure is greater along a home’s perimeter, and lower in the middle sections of a home’s roof. Also, there are two types of pressure: positive and negative. The positive pressure creates a pushing effect while the negative pressure is more like a suction. Your roof will experience both kinds of pressure. The section of your roof that sees each type of pressure depends on the direction that the wind hits your home.

Strong winds knocked trees down onto and around a home. (credit: NOAA)

That wind pressure will cause the materials on your home’s roof to move. In areas of higher pressure (like the edges) or locations where the shingles are already damaged, that movement will be greater. The problems increase exponentially from that point. Once there is a little bit of movement, it becomes easier for wind to grab that shingle and move it more, or even peel it away from the roof entirely.

This kind of roof damage usually starts very small, and is difficult for most homeowners to notice. But the problem increases with each gust of wind that blows through your area. Spots where shingles are raised, displaced or missing altogether become susceptible to water damage from rain, which can quickly lead to leaks inside of your home.

The goal is to prevent wind damage before problems become devastating, or fix your home’s issues very soon afterward. Contact the experts at Stonewater Roofing for your FREE damage assessment. We can thoroughly look over your home and let you know if recent storms have had a hazardous impact on your family’s safety.

‘Setting Aside Roof Sales’ To Help Longview Recover From Storms

Extremely powerful straight-line winds caused severe damage to homes and businesses across Longview this week. The National Weather Service said that gusts reached as high as 90 mph along a path nearly 17 miles long and more than 2,000 yards wide. KLTV meteorologist Mark Scirto compared the Longview storms to “an EF-1 tornado and a high-end Category 1 hurricane.”

Mayor Andy Mack confirmed that there were no fatalities nor serious injuries in Longview, but there was plenty of damage left behind.

A tree lands on the roof of a home in Longview, TX.

Roofs were ripped apart. Large trees and power lines were toppled. The Longview storms resulted in widespread power outages and even forced some East Texas school districts to delay or cancel classes. Residents shared stunning photos of the damage on Facebook, showing massive amount of debris in their yards and on top of their houses.

But nothing could prepare Alicia Price for what she saw firsthand. “Facebook does not really do the damage justice,” she said. “You drive down through here and see roofs ripped off homes, huge trees through homes, windows blown out, patio doors blown out. The damage is pretty astronomical.”

Severe storms caused catastrophic damage to homes and businesses in Longview, TX.

That prompted Price, an invoicing specialist with Stonewater Roofing, to spring into action. She began coordinating with friends, business owners, police and city officials in Longview. The goal was to donate time, money and supplies to those impacted by this brutal storm, as well as those trying to clean up the mess that it left behind.

“We just wanted to give back to the community and help,” Price explained.

The local Longview roofing team set up camp at the corner of Judson Road and Eden Drive. There, they have been providing barbecue meals around the clock and offering assistance in any way possible. “People are showing up to help,” stated Price early Friday. “Even this morning, I had some random people drop some water off. I don’t even know how they knew we were here.”

Along with the homeowners who saw property damage from the storm, Price and her team are also helping the city workers who have been busy cleaning up the storm’s path of destruction. “The city and police department were very welcoming,” Price added. “They’ve had nobody offer, so they were very excited that we were here and showing up.”

Trees knocked down onto homes was a common sight after storms blew through Longview, TX.

“When incidents like these happen, this is where we set aside trying to sell a roof,” explained Trent Spradlin, Chief Marketing Officer with Stonewater Roofing. “We set that aside for being empathetic to people who have lost something. All of us here at Stonewater obviously have experienced loss of some sort at some time, and we know what that’s like.”

“Whether its a homeowner or a city employee that’s been working throughout the night and during the day, giving them a break and some sense of normalcy, not having to worry about not having electricity at home to cook food and things of that nature, really is the reason that we’re doing this,” Spradlin elaborated. “It speaks directly to the Stonewater culture.”

Elementary Drumline To Play At Texas Revolution Game

Indoor football fans at the Texas Revolution game in Frisco on April 14 will also enjoy a rousing performance by the Caldwell Arts Academy drumline. “We love showcasing our students and the talents they have,” explained Bobby Markle, principal of the Tyler Independent School District campus.

The drumline is even more impressive because it is made up entirely of elementary students.

In fact, the Caldwell kids are the first competitive elementary school drumline in East Texas. “We were looking for outlets for these kids to perform. Elementary drumlining is not a big thing in Texas. It’s usually reserved for middle schools and high schools,” Markle said. “These are not just elementary students who picked up percussion and are going to struggle through cadences. These kids really have a God-given talent.”

That talent is now taking the Caldwell drumline to Stonewater Roofing Field at the Ford Center in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys and home field for the Texas Revolution indoor football team. The Revs square off against the Amarillo Venom at 1:00 PM on Sunday, April 14, with the pint-sized drummers as featured entertainers.

The Ford Center and Stonewater Roofing Field welcome Texas Revolution fans to Frisco.

“Our kids get to perform on some pretty big stages just because of what our school does, but there’s not a bigger stage than where they are going on Sunday,” Markle added. “These kids will surprise a lot of those audience members. These kids are kids, don’t get me wrong, but they are professionals.”

The afterschool drumline program began with some parents who had experience in percussion and wanted to share their own talents with the younger generation. “At the time, we were having some discipline issues and issues with engagement. I thought, what a great outlet for young men to be able to beat on something. They want to do it anyway,” recalled Markle. “Once we got started, it just took off and has really been a robust program for us that will continue not only as a drumline, but as a part of our percussion curriculum.”

Stonewater Roofing COO Jacob Law (a former drum major) and CMO Trent Spradlin (a former drum captain) contributed educational and financial resources to the program. Spradlin is also one of the drumline directors. Students practice two days each week, learning discipline and character development, along with a little bit of rhythm.

“I just think communities need to be engaged in things that are positive,” Markle said. “We run into a lot of distractions in our communities around differences and things like that. But you get these kids on a drumline and see all the adults and children watching, smiling… that’s what community is about. It’s about the great things in your community, and this drumline is one of them.”

What Do Severe Storms Do To Your Home?

After severe storms pass through Texas, particularly those with strong winds and hail, homeowners are warned about the many dangers of roof damage. But you shouldn’t just trust the word of a roofing company in Tyler, Texas. Knowledge is the key to understanding when and how to replace your roof.

That said, it is important to know what severe storms can actually do to your home.

Let’s start with the roof itself, which is fully exposed to the elements and acts as the first line of defense for your home. If the wind gusts are strong enough, a storm has the power to rip shingles from your roof, leaving that layer of protection with potentially harmful gaps. It is easy to spot missing or broken shingles because the pieces will likely be littering your yard.

A look at missing shingles on a roof.

Hail damage might be harder to detect, especially from the ground. Larger pieces of hail will leave bruises or holes on shingles. They appear as dark spots or dimples on the roof surface. It is difficult to say how big a hailstone must be in order to cause damage. That really depends on several factors — from the quality of your roofing materials to the slope of your roof. But, generally, anything above one inch is cause for concern.

A roof that has been damaged by hail or high winds leaves your home vulnerable, even to less severe storms. These damaged areas can turn into leaks. Every light rain that passes over your neighborhood could send water into your living area, ruining the ceiling and walls, or your family’s personal belongings down below.

Simply put, treating roof damage as soon as it occurs is the safest way to protect your home — and everything inside.

A look at hail damage on a roof.

Water leaks are easy to spot, since you can inspect the damage without even going outside. First, check your attic for dripping. You may be able to hear this during a storm. Wet insulation is a sign that there is likely a leak. Also, search for discoloring on your walls and ceilings, or areas where the paint is bubbling. This could be a sign that water is getting trapped within the drywall. You may also notice (or smell) mold or mildew, another sign of a potential water leak.

Along with shingles, other parts of your home’s exterior could be damaged during a severe storm. Look for dents or dings on metal vents or chimney covers. The same can be said about any aluminum siding, metal garage doors, gutters, downspouts and outdoor air conditioning or swimming pool equipment.

There are obvious signs of storm damage as well. Cracked or broken glass on your windows and doors will be easily noticed. As one should expect, skylights are especially susceptible to breaking during a hail storm, and that could lead to a myriad of problems in the room directly below. Outdoor lights may also be destroyed by large hail. Wood fencing could become splintered.

Any of these problems could indicate possible roofing issues which are challenging for the average homeowner to identify.

Let experts like the ones at Stonewater Roofing inspect your home for storm damage.

If you think that your home might have storm damage, what should you do?

First, be safe. Unless you are trained at spotting roof damage and have the proper equipment to do so, it is not smart to climb onto the roof of your home. Let an expert handle this dangerous task. Contact a reputable roofing company, like Stonewater Roofing, to visit your home and perform a FREE damage assessment.

Do not call your insurance company first. Let the professionals at Stonewater Roofing determine what parts of your home need to be fixed, document the true extent of the damage and create an accurate estimate for the repairs. We make the process hassle-free and are proud to be The Leader In Insurance Claim Approval.

Stonewater Roofing genuinely wants to protect you and your family. Call us to speak directly with one of our trained staff members if you have any questions or concerns.

Shady Roofers Reportedly Popping Up In DFW

This is a serious alert for homeowners in Frisco and surrounding areas. Unscrupulous roofing contractors are on the prowl, looking to take advantage of people following the latest round of hail storms to hit North Texas. The key to protecting yourself is knowing how to spot one of the bad guys. Let us at Stonewater Roofing help you out.

Things To Avoid

Calling Your Insurance First: When a damaging storm hits, it might seem natural to immediately file a claim with your insurance company. But they do not want to give you money for roof repairs, and often cannot properly determine what needs to be fixed. Always call a roofing company first to assess the damage. Only a highly skilled professional, like the ones at Stonewater Roofing, will be able to identify and document the true extent of damage to your home, and create an accurate estimate for repairs. The claim process becomes hassle-free when homeowners are already armed with this detailed information.

Absorbing Your Deductible: Many roofing companies will offer — even advertise — to absorb or waive your deductible. Simply put, this practice is illegal and could get you and the company in serious trouble. While it may save homeowners a few thousand dollars on their roof repairs, it is considered to be a form of insurance fraud. The law is rarely enforced, which is why companies can get away with publicly making such claims. The roofing company often accounts for the lost money by using cheaper materials, cutting corners on the project, or exaggerating the price of their services.

Not Doing Research On A Contractor: The roofing industry has a bad reputation thanks to scam artists who swoop in after a hail storm, provide subpar services, collect your money and vanish without a trace. But some roofing companies genuinely want to help. Your home is the biggest investment of your life, so do research before trusting someone to protect your property. Look at the reviews on Google and/or Facebook. Make sure that the company has a professional website and reliable contact information. See if they have a corporate office, and are not just a “guy in a truck.” Proper research will provide you with peace of mind.

Paying Cash To A Storm Chaser: Hail storms always bring out fly-by-night roofers, those who are not professionals and are simply trying to make some extra money on the side. They often use high-pressure tactics and demand payment upfront, many times in cash. This is not someone whom you should trust. Make sure that you hire a roofing company which provides proper documentation throughout the process. Do not pay for a completed roof until the work is actually finished. When you do pay, get a receipt or a copy of your check. Also, if a company offers financing options, they are more trustworthy and likely to be in business for the long haul.

Signs Of Fraud

Claiming Work That Wasn’t Done: A roofer should provide you and your insurance company with an estimate that includes several items to be replaced during the project. But, when construction begins, it is easy for unscrupulous workers to cut corners and claim that things were fixed when they were not. This is particularly true with parts of the roofing system which sit under the shingles, out of view from homeowners and inspectors. Then, in the future, when these parts are in even more serious need of repair, your insurance company may not pay for the work since it was included in your previous claim.

No Office Location Or Website: You have agreed to a contract with a roofing company and need to get in touch with them, either before the project begins or even many years later. A quick online search yields no results. What can you do? Not much, because many roofers are simply a “guy in a truck” with no business location or online presence. Before you choose a roofing company, make sure that they have a physical office, a professional website and social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more. You should be able to contact the company without hassle and discuss any issues with a dedicated customer service representative.

No Company = No Warranty: A warranty is a great purchase when getting a new roof installed on your home. It provides decades of comfort, knowing that your investment is protected at all times. But what happens if you pay for a warranty with a company that goes out of business just a few years later? Then, that money is wasted and you are out of luck when more repairs are needed. Search for a roofing company that has been in business for many years and shows no signs of slowing down. Also, ask if the warranty is provided by the just the company itself or the material manufacturer as well.

A Company You Can Trust

Stonewater Roofing started from humble beginnings at a home in East Texas, and now we wish to ensure that your home, and your family, are safe from the elements. But we are more than just a home repair company. We are your neighbors in this community. When someone is in need, we are there to help them out. When a local musician hits the scene, we are there to bring them an audience. When the Texas Revolution score a touchdown at Stonewater Roofing Field in Frisco, we are there to cheer for the team. And when a storm strikes, Stonewater Roofing is there for our community… our neighbors… our family.

Project Managers & Warranties: A roofing system from Stonewater Roofing is both reliable and protected. We have a team of unbelievably skilled project managers who remain at the site of every roof installation, to ensure that your home receives only the highest quality of workmanship — from start to finish. We also offer warranty options that will help you sleep easier, knowing that your family and your property are safe from the harsh Texas weather. Our warranties are backed by GAF, the largest manufacturer of roofing products in North America, and can keep you covered for a lifetime.

Say Yes & We Do The Rest: There are absolutely no headaches or hassles when you work with Stonewater Roofing. We agree to assist you with every step of the way, including the tedious and often confusing insurance claim process. We make sure that you get the most value for your deductible. After all, we are The Leader In Insurance Claim Approval. We will not stop until you, the homeowner, are completely satisfied with your brand new roof system. And, if you ever have a question or concern, our customer service representatives are easy to reach, and eagerly waiting to help you out.

Still have questions or concerns? Explore our website and social media channels, or call us to speak directly with one of our trained staff members.

Residents Say Large DFW Hail ‘Looked Like Snowstorm’

“It looks like a snowstorm outside.” That is how one Twitter user described the massive amounts of hail that pounded parts of DFW on Sunday evening. The large chunks of ice accumulated on lawns and patios, and caused serious damage to cars and homes. Frisco, Allen, McKinney and other parts of Collin County saw the worst of the storms.

Photos shared on social media showed hailstones the size of quarters, golf balls and even baseballs.

Smaller pieces of hail were reported across the Metroplex in cities like Fort Worth, Keller, North Richland Hills, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Colleyville, Euless and Wylie. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were issued in all four of DFW’s major counties — Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Collin — and the damage was widespread.

A resident in McKinney said that the hail smashed the windows of both her car and her home. Similar damage was reported across much of North Texas. “At first, you hear a little hail, then it just got worse,” Ejae Dolor told KTVT-TV on Sunday night. “The hail was getting bigger and bigger.”

Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen saw substantial roof damage after hail attacked the building for more than 20 minutes. Executive pastor Scott Sanford told KXAS-TV that the church’s second floor was flooded, and that water was seeping into the first floor. “It is surprising that a hail storm did this,” he said. “This was just hail that was damaging the roof to such a degree that water came through.”

The storms began at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening and lasted until the early hours of Monday. The rain and hail has since moved out of the DFW area, and residents can start looking over their homes, vehicles and businesses during a bright and sunny Monday and Tuesday. The cleanup efforts could be stressful, but they don’t have to be.

Let the experienced professionals at Stonewater Roofing help you out. We offer a free roof damage assessment and will walk you through the entire insurance claim process. Waiting for another hail storm to hit may only make the damage worse, so let us help you protect your property now.

Stoney LaRue’s Advice For Young Musicians

Country music artist Stoney LaRue was recently in Tyler, and stopped to chat with Stonewater Sessions about his life on the road. He also shared some personal advice for musicians who are just getting started. LaRue and Longview band Post Profit were featured in the newest installment of the Facebook live show which highlights some of the very best regional recording artists.

“It doesn’t ever get old,” said LaRue about touring. “It gets tiring.”

However, as a music industry veteran, LaRue now knows how to cope with the daily grind on a tour bus. “Exercise helps out tremendously,” he explained. “Diet, not drinking too much, just finding the balance.” While some people might find this lifestyle to be a chore, the twinkle in LaRue’s eye shows that he wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

You can catch LaRue on the road right now. Head over to his website for tour dates and ticket information. He has shows coming up in Texarkana, Waco and Fort Worth soon, along with many more. Plus, he will be playing at the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival in Tyler in May. Stonewater Roofing is among the proud sponsors of this event.

For younger artists who want to commit themselves to playing music, LaRue has one key piece of advice. “Mean it,” he stated with conviction. “Be honest with your talent, with what you want to do with it. Know what you’re going to say. Just be honest about it, because your body will know, your crowd will know, your audience will know if you’re faking it.”

As for whether musicians should focus their attention on the road or in the recording studio, LaRue hedged, understanding that it’s important to split focus. “It kind of depends on what they’re after. A lot of people sound better recorded than they do live. I know that a lot of my crowd prefers a lot of my live stuff. So, I guess it’s just based off of the individual artist,” he said. “I kind of like both, and it definitely changes, but I like the live thing.”

Check out Stonewater Sessions to see band Post Profit perform “Same Sad Song” at The Robot Cave in Tyler, and hear more from our interview with LaRue. What is his biggest pet peeve? What name would he like to have? What was his dumbest injury? (“The bass player threw up,” he recalled.) Those personal details and more are all revealed, so you don’t want to miss it.

Be sure to follow Stonewater Roofing on Facebook for alerts about the next episode of Stonewater Sessions.

Country Music’s Will Hoge To Perform Live In Tyler

Some of the best national and regional touring artists are being featured in Stonewater Sessions, streaming their newest and most popular songs on Facebook while giving viewers an inside look behind the music. Now, you have a chance to be a part of the next event when Stonewater Sessions goes LIVE with Will Hoge at Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q in Tyler.

Hoge is perhaps best known for his song “Strong,” which appeared in a television commercial for the Chevrolet Silverado. He also scored a hit on the country music charts with “Middle of America,” and received an ACM, CMA and Grammy nomination as a writer for chart-topping hit “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” released by the Eli Young Band.

In other words, this is a show that you will not want to miss.

The concert will be held on Thursday, April 25. Doors open at 7:00 PM with Hoge taking the stage an hour later. Tickets are now available in advance for just $8.00 by ordering online, or priced at $15.00 if you purchase at the door. Seating is limited, so act fast. Then, let everyone know that you’re going and share the event with others by checking in on Facebook.

Will Hoge at Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q is brought to you by KNUE and Stonewater Roofing.

Can’t wait to hear some amazing live country music? Head on over to the last installment of Stonewater Sessions, where we sat down with Whitehouse native Tyler Dudley at The Robot Cave as he performed some new tunes, spoke about his early days in the music industry, and gave credit to the men who helped lead him down the path to success.

Storms Bring Large Hail & Strong Winds To DFW

The first day of spring arrives later this month, but the DFW area already saw some early spring storms late Friday night and into Saturday morning. That included powerful winds and quarter-size hail, both of which can be damaging to your roof. Not only that, but more showers are expected throughout the coming week.

The storm was widespread, dropping hail on homes and businesses in many North Texas cities. Dallas, north Fort Worth, Grapevine, Lake Worth, Haltom City, Keller, Southlake, White Settlement, Flower Mound, North Richland Hills, Coppell, south Frisco, west Plano, Prosper, Allen and The Colony were all among those areas where damage was reported.

A neighborhood in Mesquite even felt the force of an EF0 tornado.

Most of the ugly weather has since pushed past the Metroplex, and the rest of Saturday looks to be warm and dry. But a cold front moves in on Sunday morning, bringing several days of rain to the area once again. Expect showers Monday through Wednesday, but no more severe weather.

Still, the rain alone could be enough to exacerbate any damage caused by the latest round of wind and hail, or damage that was previously caused to any homes and businesses. This is a good time to have your property assessed by a trusted and experienced roofing professional like the ones at Stonewater Roofing.