City Limits Apartments Residents Happy With New Roof

The weather in Texas can change in a minute, and it is often unforgiving. Powerful wind gusts. Hailstones that are the size of baseballs. A violent tornado. The remnants of a Gulf Coast hurricane. No matter what Mother Nature is throwing your way, safety is the top priority.

Few people understand this better than the owners of multi-family dwellings.

That is why Stonewater Roofing is proud to have just completed a project at the City Limits Apartments in far north Dallas. The residents of this 406-unit complex can rest easy, knowing that they are well protected from the harshest elements that Texas has to offer.

“One thing Stonewater brings to the table with these multi-families is our knowledge of the industry,” said COO Jacob Law, adding that the company is able to make sure that projects are not only done properly, but also smoothly. “We want to make sure that things go on as smooth as possible on a day-to-day basis.”

“These apartment complexes are going to stand for a while,” Law continued, “and they’re going to need to satisfy their residents.” Those living in the three-story Dallas apartment buildings seem to be quite pleased with the results.

“We had a resident come out today, and she said she’s been living in this particular apartment complex over 10 years. She’s a home nurse. She came out to thank us,” Law recalled. “She’s needed to get in and out of the apartment with her client a few times, and our guys have been there to assist.”

But it’s not just Stonewater Roofing that had the woman and others smiling. “The residents here seem to be pretty happy,” Law said, “that not only we’re out here doing it, but that the owners took the time and investment to make this property better.”

Stonewater Roofing works closely with property owners and insurance companies to make sure that multi-family buildings like this get the proper roof installed by highly-skilled and experienced professionals, all at an affordable cost.

Cattle Barons’ Gala Offers Night Of Fun & Fundraising

The Cattle Barons’ Gala, a fundraiser known for its relaxed country vibe, will take place Saturday, June 16, with games, food, auctions and a concert by country star Easton Corbin.

The gala raises money for the American Cancer Society, an organization that funds research and provides services for cancer patients and their families.

In a joint statement, Gala chairmen Justin Armstrong and Jeremy Cozad said that the event is an opportunity to “celebrate those who have conquered cancer, reflect on those who have been taken too soon and raise funds for research and support.”

Now in its 31st year, the focus remains on raising awareness and money.

“Our motivation for humbly accepting the honor of co-chairing this event is our friends and family touched by this disease and the urgency we feel to help find a cure,” the men said in their join statement. “In keeping with our 2018 theme, ‘Southern Raised, Southern Strong,’ we salute those who have fought cancer and those who are on the journey alongside them. The party is fun, but the purpose is to find a cure. We long for the day that cancer is defeated.”

The honorary chairwoman for the gala is Amanda Jones of Tyler, a cancer patient. The Cattle Barons’ Gala also recognizes a Li’l Wrangler, a child who has faced or is facing cancer. This year’s Li’l Wrangler is Jase Curtis, the 4-year-old son of Shauna and Jarod Curtis. Each year, gala volunteers host an event for pediatric oncology patients and their families.

The gala will take place beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Texas Rose Horse Park, a complex at Texas Highway 110 north near Interstate 20 that houses the Brunson Equestrian Center. Gala events are held in a covered show arena and tents that are air conditioned.

Easton Corbin is headlining the Cattle Barons’ Gala on June 16. (credit: Easton Corbin)

Corbin will be the night’s music headliner. He has had seven Top 10 singles including “A Little More Country Than That,” “Roll With It,” “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and “Baby Be My Love Song.”
Tickets to the gala cost $200 and can be reserved online or by calling 903-597-1383.

Tickets to the Barons’ Reception cost $300. The reception starts at 6:00 p.m. and will include music by the Tyler Dudley Band, food and access to the midway before general admission guests arrive.

Cuisine is provided by 1836 Texas Kitchen and Villa Montez.

Stonewater Roofing is a sponsor of this event.

A longer version of this article originally appeared on the Tyler Morning Telegraph’s website.

Stonewater Roofing Seeks Info About Tyler Break-Ins

Stonewater Roofing in Tyler is seeking information about two break-ins.

A release from the company said that the break-ins happened at about 11:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Monday night.

Security cameras caught the suspected burglar on the premises wearing two different hoodies, one pink and one yellow.

Stonewater Roofing co-founder and COO Jacob Law said that the burglar broke down a door and stole two MacBook laptops and an iPad.

The company is offering a $1,000 reward for the return of the computers, one of which contained sensitive financial information.

A person in a yellow hoodie is seen on Stonewater Roofing’s property along Houston Street in Tyler, TX.

Stonewater Roofing is located at 924 West Houston Street in Tyler.

Anyone with any information about the burglary is urged to call the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 and reference case number 18-10161.

A version of this article originally appeared on East Texas Matters.

A New Roof Can Increase The Value Of Your Home

Your home is likely the largest investment that you’ll ever make, so it’s important that you protect your investment with routine upkeep and maintenance. While professional installation, maintenance and roof repair will provide you with years of valuable service, there are a number of factors that can affect how long your roof will last. Regardless of whether you want to replace your roof for structural or aesthetic reasons, it’s important to know how your decision will increase the value of your home.

Signs You May Need A New Roof

Depending on the length of time that you own your home, and the quality of installation and materials used to install your last roof, you may eventually find yourself in need of a roof replacement. The question is: how do you know when it’s time to replace your roof? Like most other types of home repairs, your roof will provide you with any number of warning signs that replacement is imminent — some are subtle while others are glaringly obvious.

Age: Although different types of shingles have a different lifespan, asphalt shingles tend to be the most popular, typically lasting between 20 and 30 years.

Deterioration: Visible wear or damage to your shingles such as curling, breakage, missing shingles or granules in the gutter are all signs that something is amiss.

Moss or algae growth: While this issue is purely cosmetic, many new shingles are algae-resistant. So, if your roof has algae, it will be a dead giveaway that your roof isn’t quite new. In this instance, a new roof is more likely to increase the value of your home based on aesthetics, regardless of whether or not it’s at the end of it’s usable lifespan.

Sagging: This issue is structural and is indicative of a bigger problem. Call for a comprehensive roof inspection to determine the source of the issue and for a potential roof replacement.

How Much Value Can A New Roof Add?

When you consider how important your roof is to the integrity and safety of your home, its value becomes apparent. But just how much more value will a new roof add to your current home?

Contributing Factors

There are a number of variables which will help determine the return on your investment, including:The condition your current roof is in, as a more substantial upgrade will bring more value. More expensive homes may see a higher increase in value, as buyers are more willing and able to pay for a home that doesn’t require repairs. Choice of roofing style and materials matters, as those which are more visually appealing will add greater value.

Estimations

As a general range, a new roof can add up to $12,000 to the overall value of your home, dependent on a number of factors, many of which are listed above.

Efficiency

The quality of your roofing materials and insulation contribute to the efficiency of your home, preventing heat transfer and effectively lowering your cost of energy. The addition of rooftop solar panels can result in extra savings and may be appealing to buyers.

Reasons To Get A New Roof

In addition to the potential resale value of your home, there are a number of other great reasons to consider installing a new roof:

Curb appeal: With so many available color and style choices, you can instantly transform the look of your home with a new, quality roof installation.

Warranty: Enhancements to the quality of new roofing materials have helped extend their lifespan, and length of warranties. A standard warranty for asphalt shingles was once between 15 and 20 years, but high-quality asphalt shingles now come with warranties of up to 50 years.

Peace of mind: There’s no need to wait until the last minute to replace your roof. Whether you plan to sell your home in the near future, want to update your home’s exterior to match the style and age of other homes in your area, or want to protect the integrity of your home, a new roof can add immeasurable value to your home.

 

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assessment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof and let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Roofing Contractors Vs. Roofer Vs. Roofing Company

Deciphering common roofing terms and what they really mean can be confusing. A single company may describe itself by several different terms. When consumers are looking for residential roof repairs, maintenance, or a new roof, confusion sets in quickly! Let’s define three of the most used roofing terms: roofer, roofing contractors and roofing company. 

What is a Roofer?

When you hear “roofer,” you should think of the hammer-and-nail guy that climbs a ladder to fix or install a roof. These are the hands-on workers performing the installation of the roof. Finding a roofer to repair a roof is usually not a wise choice, because their specialty may be purely in installation itself, not in providing a roofing estimate, solution or inspection.

What is a Roofing Contractor?

A “roofing contractor” is someone that is licensed with their state as a contractor specializing in roofing. Many roofing contractors complete the job themselves as a roofer.  Roofing contractors may often be employed by a roofing company. You should always ask questions such as whether the contractor is licensed, if they work with a crew, have their own company, or use subcontractors to help clarify the issue.

Hiring a roofing contractor: This is the person for the job if you’re just looking to focus on the roof itself.

Warning: Be sure that any contractor that comes to your door after a storm is local and can show proof of this along with a list of references. Many will be working locally, while others will be storm chasers. These contractors will either do poor work or take the money and run.

What is a Roofing Company?

A “roofing company” generally specializes in roofing, but offers other exterior services such as gutters, siding and windows. These companies will employ licensed professionals to do the work. Roofing companies typically gain standing with manufacturers that allow them to offer substantial warranties. Oversight and accountability are always better with a roofing company because they’re looking to do great work and stay in business indefinitely. 

Hiring a roofing company: This is the right choice for anyone looking to replace their roof. While they are still a good choice for repairs and maintenance, companies really shine with installations and their warranties. 

Warning: Just because they call themselves a roofing company doesn’t make it so. To be sure, make certain that they employ contractors, have an office staff, owner(s), project managers and other parts of their business. A real organization will have these working parts. 

A Roofing Company You Can Trust

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assessment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition, and provide a free estimate for its replacement. 

We hope our defining roofer, roofing contractor and roofing company has helped clear up any confusion you may have had. 

To be clear, Stonewater Roofing is a roofing company. We are locally owned and operated, run background checks on our employees, provide reference lists upon request, and maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. 

The 7 Most Disastrous DIY Roofing Mistakes

Stonewater Roofing’s expert technicians have inspected thousands of roofs in the East Texas and DFW area over the last few years. In that time, we have seen a lot of DIY roofing and remodeling projects go horribly wrong on windows, doors, ventilation, siding and, of course, roofing. In no particular order, we present the seven worst DIY roofing mistakes which homeowners perform that can lead to more problems.

  1. Reroofing by adding a new layer of shingles: We’ve torn off roofs with three layers of shingles before. The homeowners usually site that they just wanted a new color or that their previous roofer told them it was okay and a money saver. All it takes is the old bottom layer to have issues and the whole roofing system fails. This may be the worst thing we’ve seen, particularly due to the wasted money spent on the short-lived second and possible third layers. Of the worst roof repairs homeowners perform, this one can cost the most in the long run.
  2. Trimming all parts of a tree except for those overhanging the roof: Perhaps the roof makes it too hard to reach branches with an extension trimmer, or perhaps it’s just negligence. You never want branches hanging over your roof. This is asking for clogged gutters that fail and moss growth on the shingles.
  3. Power washing roofs to remove moss: Some homeowners take this a step further and sprinkle bleach on the affected area. Both of these roof “cleaning” techniques are highly destructive to shingles, not to mention unsafe!
  4. Cleaning gutters from the ground: It’s easy to spot a gutter that was improperly cleaned with an extension poll or extension hose. Sludge is often built up thick in the worst points possible. It then takes just a few bits of debris to cause a plugged-up gutter. It can literally snap, burst or break free from the roof. In some cases, we’ve seen gutters take pieces of the roof with them when they collapse.
  5. Pulling up shingles to look for leaks: Yes, most people wouldn’t do this, but it’s been done before. We often see caulking and other repairs under shingles during tear-offs. This is just asking for more leaks!
  6. Adding or repairing skylights: This is not a great DYI idea unless you are a window installer for a living. Skylights are one of the leakiest components to a roof. If not properly installed, they can wreak havoc on your roof, ceiling and room below.
  7. Doing anything to ports, vents or chimneys: This follows skylights as being something left to a professional. Chimneys feel particularly safe to work near, which is why the roofing around them tends to suffer.

There are a few rules to roof maintenance. They are constantly broken and end up costing homeowners more down the road. We hope you avoid the following:

  • Walking on your roof, no matter the grade
  • Power washing your roof or gutters
  • Patching leaks from the roof surface
  • Ignoring overhanging trees

Always seek a professional before combating roofing issues on your own, so that you don’t make these DIY roofing mistakes. What you may save now could cost you a great deal more in the future.

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assesment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Comparing Three-Tab & Architectural Roofing Shingles

Texas towns are subject to a wide variety of weather. Many of the storms that impact this region make their force known upon rooftops, power lines and trees. Residents should be educated when it comes to shingle roofing and know the differences in the two main types of roofing shingles used in the area. Choosing the right option to replace a roof is essential to withstanding wind, rain and hailstorms more effectively, and extending the life of your new roof.

Stonewater Roofing’s trained and certified technicians understand storm damage and how different shingles handle weather phenomena. They can guide you through the selection process and determine what is best for your roofing needs.

What is a three-tab shingle?

Three-Tab Shingles

Three equal cutouts, or tabs, made along the shingle’s bottom edge characterize a three-tab shingle. Three-tabs are only available in one size and shape with a uniform look. Three-tab shingles are simpler and lighter because they consist of fewer materials. These shingles usually cost less than architectural shingles, which is why some homeowners prefer them. Three-tab shingles are a cost effective choice if you have a low budget.

What is an architectural shingle?

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, which allows them to give off a dimensional look. These shingles are thicker and weigh double to triple the weight of a three-tab shingle. Due to their thickness and excellent composition, these shingles come with longer lasting warranties. Designer shingles can be made to mimic tile, cedar shake, stone and other roofing types, and tend to weigh the most.

The Shingle Showdown

Let’s see how three-tab and architectural shingles stack up in most scenarios. We looked at our own data along with industry data to showcase 10 direct comparisons.

  Three-Tab Architectural
Life Expectancy 20-25 Years 40-60 Years
Average Warranty Coverage 20 Years 50 Years
Ability to Shed Water Below Average Above Average
Curb Appeal Boost Little High
Return on Investment 44% 83%
Adds Value to Home No Yes
Handles High Winds Effectively No Yes
Handles Large Hail Effectively No Yes
Has Loads of Color Options No Yes
Overall Good Investment No Yes

In the battle of three-tab versus architectural shingles, there can only be one winner. Architectural shingles flat out win! They were engineered to perform longer and are more visually appealing on a home.

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing assesment and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Protecting Your Multi-Family Housing Investment

Natural disasters such as hail, wind, tornadoes or hurricanes are a huge setback for the operational efficiency of a multi-family housing business. As soon as a roof damage is evident, it is important to take immediate measures to protect your buildings from additional damage. Owners or investors will require commercial roof repair services to replace any damage on site. When employing a roofing contractor, there are certain focus areas which must be kept in mind. To help, this post outlines three critical focal points to consider when hiring a credible and trustworthy roofer specializing in this type of repair.

1. Avoid Fraudulent Contractors

Property owners/managers of multi-family housing who are looking for roofing replacement services can fall victim to scams and contractor fraud. Fraudulent contractors may steal money by offering inferior quality or incomplete repairs. Sometimes, they may complete the job, but charge an exorbitant cost for their services. Avoid scams by steering clear of:

  • Out-of-state contractors.
  • Companies that offer to absorb your deductible.
  • Storm chasers who show up right after natural disasters.

TIP: Be proactive and have your preferred roofing contractor ready before severe weather arrives.

2. Photograph The Natural Disaster’s Effect On Your Property

Photographs of the damaged property work as proof for the insurance claim. It is recommended that you take the photos immediately after the damage and before the beginning of the restoration work. Also, if the property is not yet damaged, you should take a complete set of photographs of your multi-family property in its current condition, which would serve as ‘before damage’ pictures in the case of a later disaster.

Tip: Be proactive and document your property as is.

3. Know Local Building Codes & Permit Requirements

In most states, it is illegal to perform demolition, permanent repairs or site developments without having the required permits. It is, therefore, important to obtain proper permits when undertaking any commercial projects. After assessing your property post-disaster, contact your local building authority for information on required permits. Building permits are often required for new roof installation. A qualified local roofing contractor should be familiar with local building codes and requirements. Hiring appropriately will streamline this process.

Tip: Be proactive and have a plan of action in place.

 

As soon as a natural disaster hits your property, you should contact a professional roofing contractor to assess your property. However, it’s best to have a maintenance and storm monitoring service already established with a qualified service provider.

The professionals at Stonewater Roofing are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, roofing asset and installation. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition and provide a free estimate for its replacement.

Comparing the Different Single-Ply Roofing Membranes

Commercial roofing managers and owners in the East Texas region are typically overwhelmed by the many options available for low-slope roofs. Single-ply roofing membranes have three main group types. All of them are fairly complex systems and some have complex names or abbreviations to cause even more confusion.

Group 1: Thermoset Membrane Roofing

The polymer materials in these single-ply roofing membranes chemically crosslink. This means that chemical adhesives applied at the seams cures or vulcanizes the membrane strips into one giant membrane. There are several players in this category, which is also defined as the synthetic rubber membrane group.

The Five Common Subcategories of Thermoset Membrane Roofing:

  • Ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)
  • Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE)
  • Epichlorohydrin (ECH)
  • Neoprene (CR)
  • Polyisobutylene (PIB)

The most common thermoset roof membrane is EPDM. This frontrunner of the pack will be our comparison product. Note EPDMs main characteristics:

  • Sheet widths range from 7.5 feet to 50 feet wide.
  • Sheets are typically 45 millimeters and 60 millimeters thick.
  • Seams are sealed using liquid adhesives or special formulated tape.
  • The membranes commonly are black, but white is available.

Group 2: Thermoplastic Membrane Roofing

This family of single-ply roofing membranes are like the thermosets, but there’s no chemical cross-linking or vulcanization. The membrane strips are heat or chemical welded to create a single ply. Proper welds are as strong as the material. There are four common subcategories of thermoplastic roof membranes.

  • Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO)
  • Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • PVC Alloys or Compounded Thermoplastics
    • Copolymer Alloy (CPA)
    • Ethylene Interpolymer (EIP)
    • Nitrile Alloys (NBP)
    • Tripolymer Alloy (TPA)

The most common thermoplastic roof membranes are PVC (chemical weld) and TPO (heat weld). PVC is common simply because it was the frontrunner until TPO came into its own with more adopters. Thus, for this group, we will look at TPO when comparing single-ply roofing membranes.

TPO membranes are produced by calendering with lamination, extrusion with lamination, or extrusion-coating techniques. TPO sheets are a blend of polypropylene and ethylene propylene polymers and usually are reinforced with polyester. Note EPDMs main characteristics:

  • Sheet widths range from 6 feet to 12 feet wide.
  • Sheets are typically 40 millimeters to 100 millimeters thick.
  • Seams are sealed by heat welding with hot air.
  • TPO membranes commonly are white, but can allow for a colorant.
  • Flame retardants are added.
  • UV absorbers and other proprietary substances are added as needed.

Group 3: Modified Bitumen Membrane Roofing

These membranes combine asphalt with modifiers and reinforcement materials. They are often a ‘sandwiched’ roofing material. These materials can perform well, but they are not as advanced as the other two groups. Many roofers refer to modified bitumens as ‘torch-down’ roofs because a large flame-throwing torch melts the asphalt so that seams can be joined together.

There are two types of modified bitumen (MB) roofing membranes:

  • SBS polymer-modified bitumen membranes commonly are installed via hot mopping asphalt (similar to BUR systems) or cold adhesive. Some SBS modified membranes are self-adhering and contain an adhesive backing.
  • APP polymer-modified bitumen membranes typically are heat-welded or torch-applied. Consumers should be cautioned that NRCA does not recommend torch-applying a modified bitumen membrane sheet directly to a wood deck.

Generally, APP modifiers impart a ‘plasticized’ quality to asphalt, and SBS modifiers impart a ‘rubberized’ quality to asphalt. MB membranes and EPDM, a thermoset membrane, often are confused by consumers because of colloquialisms used by roofing contractors. MB and EPDM membranes are sometimes called “rubber roofs.”

Modified bitumen is inexpensive, easy to apply in the case of SBS, and great for DIY types. This combines with its short lifespan make it a non-competitor for larger commercial roofing spaces.

Comparing TPO Roofing & EPDM

These two membrane types are the ones you’ve likely heard the most about. If you have a low-slope (flat) commercial roof, it most likely has a leading thermoset or thermoplastic membrane on it. Our head-to-head comparison takes into account a range of good-to-top tier products per each single-ply membrane type. We awarded each a +1 or -1 to give a final tally of overall prowess of each membrane type, if it gave more options or value, or had a deficit or negative detractor.

——————– EPDM TPO
Warranty Timespan 10-35 Years 10-35 Years
Warranty Value Average Wide
Cost Effective Yes Yes
Lifespan 20-50 Years 15-50 Years
Thickness 45-60 Millimeters 40-100 Millimeters +1
Maintenance Costs Medium -1 Low
Energy Savings Little to None Light to Significant +1
Summer Heat Buildup Yes -1 Little
Suitable Climate Colder -1 Most
Environmentally Friendly Yes: Recycled Materials Yes: 100% Recyclable
Color Options Black & White Many +1
Inexpensive Repairs Typically Yes +1
Track Record Solid +1 Short -1
Sheet Size Medium to Huge +1 Small to Medium
Chemical Resistance Very Poor -1 Excellent +1
Requires Skill to Install Yes Yes
Pollution From Runoff None None
Shrinkage With Heat Some Some
Failure After 10 Years Moderate to Low -1 Very Low to None
Installation Speed Average Below to Above Average -1
Weather Rating Average Average to Very Good
Final Tally -3 +3

When we’re comparing EPDM and TPO products, we get a six-point spread in favor of TPO roofing. As a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor, Stonewater Roofing uses the top-rated TPO roofing lines made by GAF. When you combine the best products, top notch installations and the best warranty, TPO picks up two or three more points over EPDM. 

Call the commercial roofing professionals at Stonewater Roofing to learn more about upgrading your flat roofing to a TPO roofing membrane from GAF. We can perform a free in-depth inspection of your roof, let you know its condition, and provide a free estimate for its replacement. 

Got Hail Damage? What You Need To Know

What is hail damage?

It can be hard to tell what hail damage looks like, especially on a roof. Hail damage can be seen as dark spots, or bruises, where the roofing granules have been knocked away (look in the gutters for an accumulation of granules). In some cases, you may find holes, cracking or missing shingles on your roof.

Where does hail damage happen?

Hail size distributions tend to be localized, with some roofs damaged and others not. Wind direction plays an important role, as well as roof pitch. A direct impact of hail on a shingle is more damaging than that of a glancing blow. Hail-damaged roof shingles show a ‘scouring’ effect in which larger, more irregularly shaped areas of shingle surface have lost granules.

Where is hail damage?

Start by looking in your roof gutters and on the ground for large amounts of mineral granules lost from the roof. Roofs are the most commonly damaged part of a home or business in hailstorms. A damaged shingle may allow water to seep through the roof, causing additional damage to the roof deck, support structure, interior walls or windows, and can cause leaking, staining on walls and flooding inside of your home.

Tips on preventing damage.

There really isn’t a way to prevent hail damage. Any roof is susceptible. Once your roof is damaged, it is imperative to get the damage assessed and repaired. If there was a hail event in your area, don’t wait! Stonewater Roofing can inspect your property and get you on the road to recovery.