Roofers are Rainy Day People Too

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These mild starts to winter are nice.  A delay in the bitter wind whipped feeling that penetrates deep down into your joints is always welcome.  Generally, it’s pretty good for business.  It extends our season, which naturally we love.  Sometimes it helps motivate customers to move forward.  It means that precipitation comes in the form of rain instead of snow.  And let’s face it, roofers are rainy day people (insert nod to Gordon Lightfoot).  Every once in a while the would-be-indifferent homeowner develops a leak and is suddenly interested in moving ahead before the real winter sets in.  The flip side is when rain comes in the form of the all-day driving sheets that slip in sideways.  These are the rains that creep up the roof in front of gale force winds.  These are the rains that soak through the real yet porous masonry chimney and without fail get the misnomer: roof leak.  These rains can be miserable to homeowners and leak sleuths alike.  They are tricky.

Last week brought us just such a rain.  Within a 24 hour period three inches of rain fell over some parts of southeastern Michigan, flooding out portions of the Southfield Freeway and whole neighborhoods south of us in Dearborn.  The roofer’s phone was ringing off the hook.  That man was on the move for two days straight, responding to distressed homeowners all over town.  One memorable call came from one of our customers – kind and patient – but understandably deeply frustrated at the water pouring into his kitchen.  Upon arrival the roofer noted a blister about two feet in diameter straining the kitchen ceiling.  He situated a large bucket under the blister and pierced it, relieving it of roughly three gallons of water.  The newly formed hole in the kitchen ceiling revealed that that the bathroom directly upstairs was not to blame.  And, since we’ve seen a whole lot of rain between when we installed the new roof last April and last week’s rains without incident, the roofer could logically rule out a typical roof leak.  Hmm…  some outdoor sleuthing was in order.

Once outdoors it didn’t take long to find the problem.  First place to look is always on the side of the home facing the driving rain.  A quick trip up the ladder revealed a hole on the window sill outside that second story bathroom right above leak’s the point of entry in the kitchen.  It wasn’t even a big hole.  Seriously, it was no larger than the eraser on my pencil.  But that’s all it took for gallons of water to rush in, run down the studs and across the joists until it dripped and pooled right over the kitchen.

The roof and the roofer take a lot of heat when folks start seeing water in their homes.  It could be water in the basement and the roofer gets a call.  It can be water on the first floor of a two story home and off he goes to investigate.  One time the roofer walked into a house instantly repaired a “roof leak” by simply closing a forgotten bedroom window.  There are so many reasons unwanted water can enter our home.   Heck, it can even be water that has never left our home – in the form of too much attic moisture.  Don’t worry about calling the roofer though.  He’ll lend a hand in identifying the mysterious source of the leak and even help you clean it up!

It’s Pronounced Ping Pong – Not Table Tennis

I like ping pong.  I know calling it that belittles the game.  But “table tennis” sounds so stuffy.  And let’s face it; I’m not a stuffy gal.  I loved ping pong growing up.  I think the first time I really played was in 9^th grade.  Ping Pong was actually offered as a phys ed credit in my high school.   I took it one semester and  I was hooked.  I wasn’t too bad either.  I must have been pretty vocal about enjoying it because my folk’s actually purchased a ping pong table for our family’s lake cottage.  It beat out television to the premises.

I played a lot with my friends and my sister’s friends and even by myself.  It was the kind of table you could fold up half-way and practice for hours on end.  I played myself sweaty.  Especially because we didn’t just go to the cottage in the summer but in the winter too. 

But that was a long time ago.  In fact, when I think back on those years now, it seems like another lifetime of another girl.  I haven’t played ping pong in 18 years or so.  That was until last month when the roofer and I took a much needed vacation.  The first in 11 years without kids.  It was a short trip, a little cruise from Miami to Cozumel and back.  It was glorious.  Not fancy.  But wonderful.  Ours was always the smallest ship in the port… by a long shot.  It also appeared to be the cruise ship of choice for spring breakers.  I think we were among the oldest people on the boat. 

I don’t know about the amenities on the other boats, but ours boasted not one but two tournament style table tennis tables.  It is the first time the roofer and I ever played together.  I don’t know why I was surprised that he was surprised at my skills (I desperately wanted to type “skillz” there).  But he was.  And I was.  And that was OK.  We enjoyed several friendly games in the sun and upon arrival home went straight to Craig’s List – on the prowl for a table to suite our family of five. 

Ah, Craig’s List.  The place to pick up just about anything you can imagine.  From used retainers and deeply worn snowboards to the new-with-tags wedding dress and pristinely restored antique armoire.  How the search for something as specific as a 2-piece five foot by nine foot ping pong table turns up ads for roofing crews, I don’t quite know.  Well, that’s not true really.  We all know.  It’s the same way a search for a local sandwich shop turns into an extensive lesson on the history of bullet train construction across Asia. 

So, here’s where our search for ping-pong tables landed us:

Roofing Crews Wanted! Crews of at least 6 or more members for Residential Tear Offs and Re-shingle. Experience with wood replacement, skylight installation, and attic insulation preferred. Must have honest principles and respectable/reliable transportation. Must have current Workmans Comp and Liability insurance. Looking for someone local in and around Washington Twp, Mi. If interested please call 586.XX.XXXX

And here too:

Looking for new crews for jobs coming up in the spring.
*Vinyl Siding & Hardi Plank Crews
*Roofing Crews
*Gutter Individuals
*Rough Framing Crews
*Window Installers

Must have:
*DBA
*Workman’s Comp & Liability Insurance
*Transportation

**Contact us at 586-XXX-XXX

These ads leave me wondering… I don’t know what I’m wondering about this.  Or maybe I’m just too pooped to find the words.  What I do know if this: Mike our worksite foreman has worked for us at least 7 years – maybe more.  And Jason (who went to high school with the roofer and his brother), he’s been working for Ridgecon for a dozen years plus.  So has Scott.  And Nick, he’s just a kid, but he’s been with us for 9 years – which I can hardly believe.  Then there are the younger fellas who work hard and move on.  Or the college kids who spend summers with us – year after year working for tuition or books.  One thing’s for certain, we’ve got a culture here that sticks.  A camaraderie that customers and their neighbors notice.  A team spirit and brotherly affection that they mention when they call for their estimate.  We have a workmanship quality and ethic we can count on because the old timers set the pattern and demand nothing less.

I don’t even have to ask if the guys posting ads for roofers on Craig’ List can say that about their crews.  I know they can’t.  Not even close.

Ridgecon’s 2011 Spring Newsletter

Click to read: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/22807133/Spring%20Newsletter%202011.pdf

No Phony-Baloney

I have been having trouble choking my coffee down for a couple of days. Is my taster off, I wonder? Is my grinder dirty from old bean fragments? I clean it. Coffee still tastes bitter. Not what we’re used to around here. I am kind of finicky when it comes to my daily dose of caffeine. When the roofer asks, “What’s wrong with this coffee?” Then I know for sure something serious is amiss. Because he’s not nearly as particular on his coffee as I am. His actual taste in food in drink is probably the least exacting thing about this guy. The roofer’s bum taster is the product of a long forgotten broken nose.

Is the cream spoiled? Maybe just a moment past the expiration date so that it will ruin a cup of coffee without curdling upon contact? Nope. But wait a minute… what’s this golden emblem under the words “half-and-half”? “Fat free” it says. Yuck. I picked it up at an unfamiliar convenience store in a rush one day. They got me.

I am completely perplexed at how a product that is fat free can be packaged as “half-and-half.” Fat free defies the very nature of half-and-half. This doesn’t make any sense at all.

I don’t go around marketing our company and product as something it’s not. That sort of thing really burns me up. But I see it all the time. Roofing brokers we call them. They are simply sales machines that mask the reality of who they are. They act all “half-and-half” until the job is sold. Then your project is farmed out to the lowest bidding subcontractor. And from there it’s all “fat free.” Service, post install follow up, customer care – and usually satisfaction – go the way the fat. And it will leave you bitter.

Selecting a roofer is a lot bigger commitment than the cream in your coffee. That’s all the more reason to take your time, ask lots of questions and do your research. Check out their reputation with the state licensing board and the regional Better Business Bureau or other consumer friendly websites. Ask friends or relatives for a good recommendation. Keep an eye on the fine print. And select a contractor that represents himself honestly. Then you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a smooth brew.

Picture the scene: roofer’s wife is not quite sprinting through the super market. A blizzard looming in the western sky. Just trying to get a few staples before we hunker down for the duration of the storm. The kids are still in school… only 10 more minutes until dismissal. And turns out I’m not the only one who had this idea. The aisle of bottled water is picked over and frankly quite sad looking.  And for some reason all the Sunday drivers of grocery cart pushers are roving the floor alongside the last minute survivalists.  I am bobbing and weaving through shoppers, slow and purposed alike.  I don’t even attempt to take my cart down the aisles.  Instead I leave it in the main thoroughfare and jog up and down, making my selections and tossing them in my getaway cart.  I even see a lovely woman from the Chamber of Commerce in town.  She’s likeminded.  We exchange clipped greetings and move along. 

When I finally arrive at the self-checkout, where the independent shopper scans and bags his or her own groceries, there is a wait.  I watch another mom I know from preschool swipe her card and load her cart.  I am agitated because now there really are only 3 minutes until the final bell rings at school.  And the bus doesn’t take my babes home.  They are counting on me.  The man in front of me starts scanning.  The energy is buzzing through me.  Off the cuff, I offer to bag my fellow shopper’s groceries.  He is surprised but accepts.  “It just seems silly for me to stand here doing nothing,” I say.  Because quite frankly, it does. 

Pretty soon after all his groceries are bagged, just the way I’d like them for myself.  And I assume my place behind my cart in line as he takes care of slipping a crisp bill into the automated payment slot.  He face is kind and appreciative.  We commiserate for a moment about the impending snow storm and the rush to pick up children after which he notices the neatly embroidered “Ridgecon” on the fleece that goes everywhere with me.  It serves as a winter coat, sweater and even a bathrobe at times.    “Do you work for them?” He queries.  I say that I do and he goes on to tell me that Ridgecon put his roof on just last fall.  He even compliments the owner that came out to meet him, can’t remember his name but, “he gave me the deal of the century” he says. 

This is the point where I wonder: does it make sense to tell him I’m the roofer’s wife?  Or should I try to give the appearance of a larger corporation?  Is it pride that compels me to blurt out, “that’s my husband”?  That seems likely because I am proud.  I am proud of the job we do.  I am proud of the workmanship and professionalism we bring to a sometimes unsavory line of business.  And I am proud to be the roofer’s wife.  He’s pretty terrific, after all. 

Anyhow, after I bagged his groceries, Scott was nice enough to return the favor aiding me in my quest to pick up the kiddies on time.  Or nearly.  I got to thinking about the funny coincidence at the supermarket.  Especially as I retold the day’s events to the roofer that night.  I wondered what our customer Scott, a fellow shopper and parent, neighbor and contemporary thought of me.  Bagging his groceries.  Does he know that Ridgecon’s high energy desire to help our neighbors is more than the way we make our living?  Does he recognize, it’s our way of life?

Forgiveness or Permit-sion?

Usually I’m an advocate of the “ask for forgiveness, not permission” ideology. But when it comes to re-roofing your home (or any other construction project for that matter), make sure your contractor gets permission first. That is to say, have your contractor pull a permit. Why?

Mike Lovelock, Township Supervisor in my neck of the woods says “There are a lot of issues where these [roofers] are Saturday Night specials… they don’t give the homeowner what they say they’re giving them.” His hope is that the modest permit fee of $65.00 will help “make sure residents get what they deserve” and pay for.

Another local pro, Shawn Shortt, building and zoning enforcement official in neighboring communities says of the permit, “It’s there to protect the homeowner.” How so? “Some of these roofs cost $10,000 to $15,000. [We] go out there and make sure everything is compliant and installed correctly. That’s our objective.”

From my point of view, with a permit you can’t go wrong. If your contractor’s willing to apply for and acquire the permit, it speaks volumes about what kind of business he’s running. It helps to establish that he’s a credible professional. And it means he’s not afraid of having someone come along behind him to inspect his work. What if a contractor won’t pull a permit? It should mean he’s not going to work on your home. Don’t get burned. But enough of my editorializing (although this is a blog and aren’t my witty editorial remarks what you’re really here for). Below is the official list of reasons every homeowner should be interested in getting permits for improvements done around the house:

Permits protect property value

Your home is valuable. If your construction project does not comply with the codes adopted by your community, the value of your home could be reduced.

Saves Money

Some homeowners insurers may not cover repairs and damages caused by work done without permits and inspections.

Makes Selling Property Easier

When a home is sold through an MLS listing, the owner is required to disclose any improvements or repairs made and whether or not permits and inspections were obtained. Many lenders will not finance a purchase without proof of a final inspection.

Improves safety

A permit means building codes will be followed, which in turn reduces the potential hazards of unsafe construction. Following code means your completed project will meet safety standards. Final inspections complement the contractor’s experience and ultimately result in a more safe construction project.

It’s the Law

It’s a municipal ordinance that mandates obtaining a permit. So, work performed without a permit may be subject to removal or other costly remedies.

It’s Not the Roof!

How can I put this gently?  IT’S NOT THE ROOF!  OK, maybe I better give that another shot minus the “caps lock” … I know it seems like the symptoms of a roof leak, but it’s genuinely not a roof leak.  There.  That’s better. 

So, what do you do when the roofer says that wet, sagging ceiling of yours wasn’t caused by a leaky roof?  Get another roofer out there, pronto?  No, no, no.  Take a breath.  Don’t get overwhelmed with frustration.  There are other plausible explanations for that wet ceiling. 

1. Is it bitter cold winter?  If so, there’s a good chance the humidity in your house is playing a nasty trick on you.  When our houses are closed up tight in as we work hard to eliminate every draft, an abundance of moisture can easily accumulate in an attic.  When moisture in the air comes into contact with the cold under-surface of your roof decking, it may condense.  That condensation can drip and  mimic a roof leak.  Your best defense against this problem includes the one-two punches of adequate attic ventilation and improved insulation.   
2. Is it the rainy season?  If so, check those downspouts.  Do you have a second story downspout that runs over an area of roof?  If so, is it directed into one of the lower eaves troughs?  Or, is it blasting loads of water right at a roof-meets-wall joint?  Imagine the classic colonial home.  This could be the problem.  And solving it could be as simple as diverting water from the second story downspout right into the first story eaves tough. 
3. Other suspects include:  improperly routed bathroom fan vents  or a soil vent stack that hasn’t been plumbed securely.  Or it could be wind driven rain sneaking behind your vinyl siding. 

The solution?  First and foremost, make sure you’ve got a roofing contractor you trust wholeheartedly.  Second, keep an open mind and listen attentively.  Lastly, let him get to work on a solution for you!