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!

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!

Stonewater Halts Door-To-Door Sales, But Work Continues

With the safety of the community and our employees in mind, Stonewater Roofing has halted all door-to-door sales efforts at this time. However, as an essential business in the construction industry, we continue to have staff members in the office and crews in the field to help area homes and businesses stay protected from the elements during this time of crisis.

In compliance with government orders, door-to-door sales operations were ceased in East Texas counties as their stay-at-home directives were issued: March 26 for Gregg County, March 27 for Smith County, and April 2 for the rest of Texas under executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott. Operations in Louisiana have also been suspended.

Recent storms across the area have proven why Stonewater Roofing is an essential business. An influx of customers have called to request roof inspections and repairs, and we are grateful to be in a position that can provide assistance to them during this trying time. Work continues uninterrupted for both current and new customers.

Stonewater Roofing is taking action to ensure that everybody remains safe while projects are completed. Employees are required to follow safety guidelines regarding sanitation and social distancing. Customers are also being encouraged to take advantage of a process introduced last year which has now proven to be extremely beneficial to residents and business owners.

Remote Roofing by Stonewater allows customers to keep in touch with us using text messaging. All documents are available in a digital format, and our secure portal can accept payments online. In most cases, this process can eliminate all direct contact with our salesmen and contractors.

East Texans have no reason to be alarmed should they see Stonewater Roofing vehicles and crews around town. This only means that we are working to protect your neighbors and their property. Our goal is to provide the community with some peace of mind during this uncertain time.

‘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.

CeeLo Green Headlining Party To Help East Texas Nonprofit

It’s almost time to turn back the clock for an epic, once-in-a-lifetime party right here in East Texas! Get ready, because we are just a few days away from Tyler’s very own Night of Nostalgia, a totally awesome event which promises to be an experience that guests will never forget.

The night will feature a live performance from music superstar CeeLo Green. Before being an inaugural coach on the NBC singing competition “The Voice,” Green was a member of ’90s hip-hop group Goodie Mob, and released the hit song “Crazy” as part of a duo called Gnarls Barkley. The track was later named by Rolling Stone as one of The 500 Greatest Songs of All-Time.

Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond played Screech on television’s “Saved by the Bell.”

The Night of Nostalgia will also include appearances from other ’90s celebrities like Dustin Diamond (Screech from television’s “Saved by the Bell”) and Tiny Lister Jr. (Deebo from the movie “Friday”). This is a chance for people in East Texas to rub elbows with the actual entertainment stars from their childhood!

“Come hang out with me and party,” Lister said. “We’re gonna take it to the back.”

Tiny Lister Jr.

Tiny Lister Jr. played Deebo in the movie “Friday.”

Along with retro pop culture decor and a break dancing show, those who purchase VIP tickets get access to the full party. That includes free appetizers and desserts, free playtime on some vintage video games (Atari, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Sega, and upright arcade machines), and an autograph and/or meet-and-greet with the celebrity guests. Challenge them on the gaming floor, snap photos, and ask questions during a panel conversation.

This radical Night of Nostalgia is happening on March 7, 2020 at the Harvey Convention Center in Tyler. Tickets for the complete VIP package are just $45.00 per person, while those who only want to see CeeLo Green in concert and watch the celebrity panel can get tickets for just $30.00 per person. This is an event unlike any other in East Texas, but space is limited to ensure a safe and interactive experience for everyone.

Tickets are on sale now at www.NightOfNostalgia.com.

Proceeds from the Night of Nostalgia will benefit PATH, an East Texas nonprofit that supports less fortunate families in need.

Stonewater Roofing is a proud sponsor of this event.