Tag Archive for: Tyler

Stonewater Honored Alongside Global Brands At Davey Awards

Winners of the 16th annual Davey Awards were announced back in October, and Tyler’s own Stonewater Roofing took home an astonishing 18 prizes. The international awards honor outstanding creative work from small businesses and marketing agencies around the globe.

The best from nearly 2,000 entries were published online by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, which oversees the Davey Awards and judges entrants based on its own noble standards of creative excellence for each unique category. Trophies were sent out over the holidays.

Stonewater Roofing received gold honors in three categories. The company’s storm trailer, shown online and before feature films at Times Square Grand Slam in Tyler, was awarded for its videography and cinematography. An online cartoon about sketchy roofers was honored for its use of animation. Finally, a live stream for local country music star Paul Cauthen earned accolades for its opening segment. The company’s additional 15 silver awards were given for achievement in video, copywriting and print design.

Gold

Silver

Click here to see the full list of winners.

Alongside the work from Stonewater Roofing, marketing agencies representing corporations like Nike, Dell, Google, Chipotle, Verizon and Sony were also recognized. This puts Stonewater Roofing’s own in-house creative talent in the same caliber with some of the best marketing companies in the world.

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.

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!

Customers Trust Stonewater After Hailstorms Hit During Pandemic

Stonewater Roofing would like to thank its customers new and old for trusting us with your roofing needs. From emergency tarp services to complete commercial roof repair and replacements, the company saw more than 170 contracts signed during the month of April. This is a 20 percent improvement over the previous year, and it comes at an unusual time as our nation grips with a global pandemic.

As previously stated, Stonewater Roofing temporarily ceased all door-to-door sales efforts in response to the coronavirus threat. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered all Texans to remain at home and practice safe social distancing

However, while these measures were in effect, cities across East Texas and western Louisiana saw multiple severe storms. There were reports of golf ball sized hail in areas like Nacogdoches and Tyler on Easter morning. Bossier City saw softball sized hail less than two weeks later.

A sampling of some of the hailstones that struck East Texas during April 2020.

Curtis Jackson, Vice President of Sales for Stonewater Roofing, explained, “The Easter storm in Tyler was followed by two rounds of storms in Nacogdoches and a pretty large one that stretched from Marshall to Benton.”

In the days that followed, a massive number of homes and businesses sought help from Stonewater Roofing. With stay-at-home orders in effect, many customers took advantage of Remote Roofing by Stonewater. This allows the roofing process to take place with no direct contact with salesmen or contractors, in most cases.

Remote Roofing By Stonewater

With state and local governments beginning to ease some restrictions, Stonewater Roofing plans to resume door-to-door sales in the near future. “At this time, we are still adhering to the safety practices put in place with the stay-at-home order,” Jackson said. “I think you will see us back on the streets in mid-May.”

This, we hope, will allow us to more easily bring some peace of mind to property owners throughout the area.

Stonewater Remains Open To Serve Your Home & The Community

East Texas officials have been forced to take drastic action in an attempt to prevent the coronavirus outbreak from spreading even further. Longview and all of Gregg County are under a ‘stay-at-home’ order until at least April 9, and now Tyler and Smith County join that order until at least April 10.

“The purpose of this order is to further protect the health, safety and welfare of Smith County,” said Judge Nathaniel Moran.

This means that non-essential businesses (retailers, salons, theaters, gyms and more) will be closed until the order is lifted, while only essential businesses (grocery stores, pharmacies, service providers, banks and more) will remain open. Smith County created an infographic to show citizens the difference between essential and non-essential businesses.

Smith County Infographic: Essential Vs. Non-Essential

(Click To Make Larger)

We are proud to assure you that Stonewater Roofing is deemed an essential business, as we work to protect you and your property from the elements. This means that roof work will continue uninterrupted with both new and existing customers. However, with offices in Tyler and Longview, we will not be visiting homes or commercial properties for door-to-door sales purposes.

But there is still an innovative way for you to get a new roof on your home or business while the order is in effect. Remote Roofing by Stonewater allows you to communicate with us via text message and video conferencing, receive and sign digital documents, and make payments using our secure online portal. Should you choose, the whole process can be done without ever opening your door. It’s simple and safe, and now is the perfect time to consider using this option.

“Our office is going to be reducing staff and following CDC guidelines to keep ourselves and our clients safe, but all offices remain open at this time,” stated Stonewater Roofing COO and co-owner Jacob Law. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to us if you’re having a problem. We are allowed to move around and take care of you, and we can do that safely.”

In addition to the roofing service that we provide to homes and businesses throughout East Texas, we at Stonewater Roofing also strive to give back to our community. With that in mind, we are exploring numerous ways to help out area senior citizens and others who may be struggling to survive this crisis. “We’ve got a few things lined up that we’ll be actively doing to assist our community,” Law added.

This is an uncertain time, and nobody can definitively say how long it might continue. But it is important to remember that we are all in this together, and Stonewater is here for you.

This article was originally published on March 27, 2020.

Stonewater Roofing Still Hiring During Coronavirus Crisis

Unemployment claims skyrocketed across the State of Texas last month, climbing more than 600 percent according to the newest data from the Texas Workforce Commission. However, while many companies are releasing workers and cutting costs during the coronavirus crisis, Stonewater Roofing is actually looking to hire new talent.

More than 460,000 people throughout the state filed for unemployment benefits in March. “If we continue at this pace, we are on track to help the same number of Texans that filed for all of 2019 in just a little over a month’s time,” Cisco Gamez, spokesman for the Texas Workforce Commission, told The Dallas Morning News.

Those who have recently lost their jobs — and have strong sales experience — are encouraged to contact Stonewater Roofing about starting a career in the roofing industry. We are looking for honest, self-disciplined, motivated individuals to join our team as we continue to tackle projects in the Tyler and Longview communities.

“We want to find people who are passionate about a career in roof sales, people who want to help out others,” said Dianna Gregg, director of operations for Stonewater Roofing, “but we also want to offer a helping hand to those who may have just recently lost their jobs. We want to get them back on their feet and give them a way to provide for their families again.”

As an essential business that provides safety and protection to East Texas residents and business owners, statewide stay-at-home orders have not prevented us from offering roof services during this uncertain time. While our traditional door-to-door sales have been temporarily halted, our sales staff is still communicating with both new and existing customers, and the ‘Remote Roofing by Stonewater‘ method has made the process of getting a new roof completely hassle-free.

“The virus has really shifted how our sales team does business, but our guys are not missing a beat,” Gregg added. “They’ve done an excellent job at keeping in touch with our customers, following up with everyone and visiting any of the properties where they might be needed — and new technology has given us a way to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Stonewater Roofing offers health and retirement benefits, flexible schedules, advancement opportunities, and all with absolutely no commission cap. Your salary is based on your sales performance, and your earning potential is unlimited. If this sounds like a perfect career for you, contact us today. We cannot wait for you to join the Stonewater team! Apply online now!

‘Remote Roofing’ Keeps You Safe During Coronavirus Pandemic

While the coronavirus threat continues to impact people’s lives in new ways each day, it is important for everyone to abide by the government guidelines regarding handwashing, quarantine measures and social distancing. Contact with others should be kept to a minimum or avoided entirely.

That is why Stonewater Roofing is reminding customers about a unique process implemented last year that is now more valuable than ever. Remote Roofing by Stonewater allows you to handle roof replacement procedures from your computer or smartphone, limiting your direct contact with salesmen and contractors.

We are committed to keeping you, your home and/or your commercial property safe during this time of uncertainty. We will continue to make ourselves available to customers, providing high-quality roof systems and ensuring that you stay protected. With Remote Roofing by Stonewater, it has never been easier to get a thorough assessment of your property, all on your own schedule.

Text Message

To get started with the Remote Roofing process, simply click on the link below to text Stonewater Roofing and schedule your free damage assessment. Our highly trained experts will visit your property and provide you with their findings. We can send digital documents to sign and payments can be made using our secure online portal. We can even conduct a video conference with you to discuss the process and answer questions in real time. Stonewater Roofing’s experienced project managers will ensure that your new roof is installed properly. Should you choose, the whole job can be completed without ever opening your door.

We encourage customers to take advantage of Remote Roofing by Stonewater, especially during these trying times when safety is essential. We are here to not only keep your property safe, but to keep you and our employees safe as well. We certainly hope that you will utilize this innovative, industry-leading approach to roofing, and look forward to hearing from you soon.