Giving Back
FRSA Members Giving Back to the Community
proprietary process how to pull apart and separate the asphalt from the actual granules themselves.” About A local veteran received a new roof as part of a project 11 million tons of torn-off shingles are put in landfills each year, he said. from Habitat for Humanity that hopes to use recycled This new method, which is processed in Tampa, will shingles to give shelter to 500 residents in need. allow 90 percent of materials taken off a roof to be Carl Montgomery looks at the house he’s called home for more than 50 years. “It’s a refuge, a place for repurposed into a new roof. Only 10 percent will head to the landfill. safety, comfort,” he said. “There’s nothing like having “It just happens that Carl is in the area, we just your own home, that’s for sure.” The veteran lives in the home with his elderly father. wanted to showcase that we’re giving back to Carl, not The house is well-loved but was in need of repairs, es- only as a veteran, but also to the community and the pecially the roof, which had started leaking and coming environment as well,” said City. “It fills your heart up with joy,” said Montgomery. “All apart. these people here coming together to help me and my “The insurance company won’t insure you if the roof is so many years old, so I had to get it done either father. It’s a great feeling. Love, that’s what I call it. And a blessing.” way you look at it,” said Montgomery. GAF and Habitat for Humanity have a goal of donatBut a new roof was out of Montgomery ‘s budget. ing 500 free roofs to family’s like Montgomery’s. They That’s when Habitat for Humanity became involved, also hope to reduce the amount of shingles heading to partnering with roofing companies GAF and Watertight Roofing to help keep Montgomery’s home livable. landfills by one million tons in the next eight years. FRM “I’m overwhelmed. It’s just exciting to watch. I’m sitting out here all day right along with them. It’s great,” FRSA is proud of the volunteer work completed by said Montgomery. members in the industry and would like to share those Not only did he get a new roof, he’s received a one- projects as often as possible. If you have a community of-a-kind roof. service project you’ve completed, please send it to “So, you can see all the shingles already staged up Lisa Pate at lisapate@floridaroof.com. there, they’re getting ready to lay them down,” said Jamie City with GAF. Montgomery’s roof is the first of its kind to be made out of recycled materials. “When you do a tear off, you have to pull apart the different components,” City said. “And in this case, it’s asphalt and granules, which are the rocks and colors that go on top of the shingle.” “So GAF has figured out through a
Habitat for Humanity, Local Businesses Gift Recycled Roof to Tampa Veteran
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FLORIDA ROOFING | May 2022