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
Monday, October 15, 2012
Saturday, October 13, 2012
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
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
Thursday, October 11, 2012
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
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
Monday, October 1, 2012
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:
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.
There are two reasons for this industry being in trouble today:
- recession
- hail damage
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)