Monks selling Westvleteren 12 in America

This is one of those stories you don't see everyday. The monks of St. Sixtus Abbey are selling limited quantities of Westvleteren 12 in America. The beer is very rare, only brewing about 3,800 barrels a year (the same since the 1940s) and the beer is considered one of the best beers.


See the Article: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/12/12/166987378/a-sign-from-above-needing-new-roof-monks-sell-rare-beer-in-u-s

Humble lives. Expensive renovation

The 21 Belgian monks of St. Sixtus Abbey live very humble lives. Facing an expensive roof renovation the monks decided to export a limited quantity of beer. This is extremely rare. Typically to purchase the beer you must visit the Abbey and have an appointment.

What do you think? Is the beer worth it? Have you tried Westvleteren 12 before?

Should Texas Require Roofers to have a License?

Many states do not have licensing requirements for home service companies such as roofers. Texas is one of these states. On a recent Caller.com article, Lyndell Haigood of Wichita Falls questions where Texas should require licensing for roofers. The article states:

Before a barber can charge $20 for a haircut, he or she must have taken 1,500 hours of course work during a minimum of nine months training. They will be required to take a final examination and then pay $60 to obtain their license. To place a $10,000 roof on someone's home requires no experience, no training and no license. We hope that is about to change.

While the write ragrees that no one is recommending 1,500 hours of training, she does argue that roofing contractors should secure liability insurance to protect homeowners from damages, whether accidental or intentional. Fair disclosure, Lyndell is the president of the Association of Fire and Casualty Companies in Texas.

Some of this is common sense and sometimes common sense lies with the homeowner.

First, comparing a roofer to a barber is silly. Whether you think barber should have 1,500 hours of course work and pay a government fee to be in business is up to you. Personally, I don't know many people that tip their roofer after a job (though I'm guessing the average roofer and his crew wouldn't mind the gesture).

Second, this has already been solved by the private sector. Roofing manufacturers given certifications to roofing companies. Again, this puts the burden on the homeowner, but does more to protect than a 8.5" x 11" piece of paper that a license does. Roofing manufacturers require course time, tests and have created their own quality standards within the roofing industry. Companies can display these credentials on roofing websites and discuss it during sales proposals.

Third, licensing only creates protective barriers to keep other out competition. When this happens homeowners pay more because the market isn't allowed to compete. Take the below John Stossel video as an example. In this video John Stossel discusses florist licenses in Louisiana.

Want another angle against licensing? Look to Hurricane Sandy. Electric workers from Alabama were turned away to help. State requirements, including being union members, were caveats that the Alabama crew were unwilling to cope with. These volunteers were planning on helping those in need, but despite being capable professionals were able to help. Hundreds of thousands of homes still didn't have power two weeks later because of the fact the electrical industry has such controls and the current workforce could not handle the overflow of work.

GAF to be Featured on TV Show American Chopper

GAF will be featured on the December 3, 2012 episode of "American Chopper." The popular 10 year-old TV show will air at 9pm on the Discovery Channel. GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. The company was founded in 1886.

This is a great opportunity for GAF and is sure to be a great episode to watch. If you get the chance, try to watch it live or record it. Click the link below to read the full press release.

Link: MarketWatch.com 

During the episode, the crew at Orange County Choppers, custom motorcycle manufacturer, designs and builds a custom bike that embodies GAF's core principles of quality and innovation, as well as focusing on the fact that GAF is an American-owned company with 26 plants in the U.S. employing thousands of Americans. Representatives from GAF and Paul Teutul Sr., owner of Orange County Choppers, unveil the GAF Chopper during an event held at the OCC shop in Newburgh, NY. 

American Chopper Episode 6

Hurricane Sandy to Bring Roofing Scams?

Press release came out the other week about roofing scams in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. It is estimated that thousands of homeowners will be solicited for potential contractor scams. Knowing the signs of a potential scam is important. While many contractors from out of state that are trying to help will have good intentions, some will not. The elderly are often candidates singled out.

KTM Roofing Warns of Potential Hurricane Sandy Scams
- Click here to read.

Laws vary state to state, KTM suggests that homeowners do their research on any potential contractor. A reputable roofer should be able to provide certain documentation including a business card, contact information and when applicable, business license number. A roofer looking to solicit business should also be able to provide proof of insurance and local references of recent and older roofing projects. Roofing contractors should be able to put an agreement in writing of services to be performed. Ideally you will be able to see their roofing reviews on Kudzu or learn more about them through the Better Business Bureau.

If you see suspicious activity, please contact the local authorities. Try to record whatever information you can, but be careful confronting any companies. Be cautious before signing any agreements, especially if a deposit is required (be even more cautious if a deposit is required in only cash).

Twitter: #HurricaneSandy

Roofers Fight On Top of a Jail?

This is just an odd story from the StarTribune. Earlier this week a many was arrested after allegedly assaulting another roofing crew member. What makes the story so odd is that it happened on top of the roof of the Stearns County jail. This jail is localed in St. Cloud, MN.

The story reports that the men began arguing and then fighting. It escalated with one many allegedly hitting the other with a rake intended to be used to spread rocks. A 43 year-old man from St. Cloud was booked for second-degree assault. The victim, 23 years-old, had a three inch cut to his forehead and told investigators that a tooth was knocked out.

The men were hired as temporary workers for a jail roofing project.

Houston Roofer Survives Lighting Strike

Almost everyone understands that roofing can be dangerous. Even then, it can sometimes be more dangerous than expected when mother nature plays a roll.

On Sunday October 14th, 19-year-old Christian Barrera was struck by lighting while roofing in Cypress, TX, a suburb of Houston as reported by KHOU.com. While it is believed Christian stopped breathing, Ed Gamble, the roofing supervisor was able to give him CPR, saving Barrera's life.

All this happened within steps of Christian's father, Omar, who was also working on the site.

The lighting is believed to have entered his neck and exited his shoe. Christian was taken to North Cypress Medical Center and later he was transported to Memorial Hermann Northwest. He is currently in critical condition.

Thoughts and prays are with Christian and his family.




Video: http://www.khou.com/news/local/Roofer-is-revived-after-dying-from-lightning-strike-174276421.html

Roofing Scam Alert in NV

The Nevada State Contractors Board has issued a consumer alert for Reno, NV residents after multiple reported incidents of a man scamming homeowners into paying unnecessary roof repair and vent piping costs.

Suspect Name: James Gregg
Description: White Male in his 30s. He is approx. 5'10", 180 lbs with brown hair and a brown mustache
Vehicle: "newer" white van with no company signage or logo.
May be traveling with a women.

Like the storm chasers previously discussed on this blog, the suspect is traveling through neighborhoods targeting seniors that are out in their yard. The suspect approaches the victims, mentions that he noticed roof repairs are needed and gets the homeowner to agree upon his services. The suspect is performing substandard work. He also is returning to check on the work only to convince the homeowner that additional repair are needed. Additional details are suspected and the NSCB is holding educational Senior Awareness Sessions.

To report an incident, contact the NSCB's Unlicensed Contractor Hotline: (702) 486-1160 or (775) 850-7838.

For more information visit http://www.nscb.nv.gov/




Video: KRNV - Reno

Owens Corning Lowers 2012 Earnings Outlook

On Tuesday October 9, 2012, Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) lowered its 2012 earnings outlook as a result of a weaker-than-expected environment for its roofing and insulation business.

The Toledo, OH company was already adjusted earning down to the $280m - $310m range, from a previous view of $360m - $420m as a result of decreased roofing volumes. In late Q2-12 Owens disclosed a weakness in the U.S. roofing shingle market, which continued into Q3-12.

The company stated that some shipment improvements occurred in the third quarter, however, improvements are not expected for the remainder of the year in part due to a price increase. As many know in the roofing community, the cost of asphalt roofing shingles is dependent on oil prices. With rising oil prices, comes rising asphalt shingle prices.

The company plans to release Q3-12 results on October 24, 2012.

Read More: http://www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/35698/owens-corning-lowers-full-year-earnings-outlook-35698.html

State of Atlanta Roofing Circa 2012

As 2012 draws to a close it can't come too soon for many local roofers. The Atlanta roofing industry is in difficult times today. Once a booming industry, several well-known companies are no longer in business since the great recession started several years ago.

There are two reasons for this industry being in trouble today:

1. recession
2. hail damage

Impact of the Recession:
Just a few years ago the country enter the worst economy since the Great Depression. Atlanta was lucky in that the initial months didn't seem to affect the economy here. As the housing market slowed and growth to the outer suburbs eased, roofing activity began to slow. This was especially true for residential roofing. People began to try to squeeze another few months, or few years out of their roofs. For roofers, the recession triggered trouble, but it didn't come as quickly for the roofing industry as it did for other construction and home service contractors.

For several years the recession was offset by an steep increase in hail damage to roofs throughout the metro area. This would eventually provide to have unintended consequences.

Impact of Hail Damage:
Just a few years ago the roofing industry was going great. At the time many roofers knew that business was synthetically high. This was because of increased amounts of hail activity throughout Atlanta and North Georgia. As a result of multiple years of increased activity many homeowners were able to get a new roof via filing claims with their homeowners insurance. This resulted in many roofs being prematurely replaced, which is significant since most roofs are designed to last for 20-30 years.

In years that followed have resulted in less roofs naturally needing to be replaced. Also, as a result of a surge in claims, homeowners insurance costs are going up among some providers.

During the years of hail damage, roofers were concerned with "storm chasers." These were less than reputable companies that would come into a neighborhood, solicit business from several of the neighbors, put up a new roof, and then leave for the next neighborhood. Some of these companies did good work and were helpful because of the increased need. Too often there were out of state companies that did low quality work, or worse, scammed homeowners out of money, including unnecessary deposits.

Caption: Roofers throughout Atlanta have seen better days. Many businesses are struggling to get through the recession.