"Vegetative Roofing Passes 120 MPH Wind Test"

A monumental breakthrough was achieved by my dear friend and colleague, Mr. Kevin Songer, on his amazing high wind resistant vegetative roof system. Folks, this is no mean feat, and Kevin has worked (by himself, and without funding, I might add) exhaustively, and tirelessly, on it for years. Where multi-billion dollar firms have failed, he's succeeded.

Kevin's mat system is reported on his blog today, and I would encourage any of you considering vegetative roofing to contact him. It could not happen to a nicer man, or family.

Friday, October 29, 2010Green Roof Hurricane Uplift Testing 120 MPH for 3 Long Minutes
We started off today referring to the Green Roof Wind Uplift Test duration as "until failure".

At least it looked as though the test would proceed until the mat failed.

After all, the MetroVerde Green Roof had been sitting in the hot Florida sun, non-irrigated, 1" thick layer of engineered soil for 18 months at the University of Florida.

We are going into our fifth week of zero precipitation (no rain).

The plants looked brown.

The panel was fixed at a 3/12 slope just feet away from the large hurricane simulator.

The plants looked vulnerable. The engineered soil just waiting to be blown off the mat along with plants.

The large diesel engines fired up and the turbines spun.

50 MPH for one minute - a little dust blew off the roof.

70 MPH for a minute plus - not much happened.

90 MPH and the dust around the base of the testing platform flew and the plants bent backwards - almost parallel to the roof slope. Shingles on a shed 300' away began flapping.

We were all amazed, having seen other green roofs under hurricane tests blow away, soil and plants...

We took a break and looked at the panel. A small amount of the engineered soil had blown off the mat.

The 120 MPH for over three minutes.

The dead, brown material blew off the plants - like a good pruning. Even the large, tender Echeveria was still there, albeit leaning a little.

The nodding garlic - Allium canadense was beautiful.

The plant roots were so intertwined in the mat that 80% of the engineered soil remained.

Successful. The first Florida Designed Green Roof Panel to pass the 120 MPH wind tunnel test.

Please see video and additional technical descriptions on his blog, at:
http://www.kevinsonger.blogspot.com/

That's two very uplifting stories for me to share, and I hope you are energized by both of them.

Okay, for those of you with children, I will now share my semi-hilarious jokes:

1.) Why don't Vampires bite Snowmen? Frostbite.

2.) Do Zombies eat popcorn with their fingers? No. The fingers are eaten separately.

You're welcome.

RRS

"You Are Not Alone"

I wanted to share a joyful message received from an exceptionally kind lady in Pinellas County, Florida.

Mary is concerned enough about recycling, and environmental efforts related to it, that she contacted me through "Sustainable Florida". I will let her message speak for itself:

Robert,
I feel blessed to have met you over the phone on October 28, 2010! Thanks so much for our conversation. I look forward to being able to speak with you further, as well as trying to figure out ways we can combine our goals and energies on projects we both have interest in.

I want to begin by giving you information regarding that amazing young man, Andrew (Andy) Wolfe of the Largo/Seminole area. I 'discovered' Andy when I read about him in the St.Petersburg Times , March 14, 2010 article entitled, "Green Acres in the City". I want to give you Andy's contact information:
Freedom Farm (name he has given the space he utilizes at his Father's home), 727-439-4885, ....he is on myspace.com/tasteoffreedomfarm. Andy gives 'tours' on Saturday mornings, by appointment.

The article discussed the yard now being occupied with 16 ducks, 16 chickens, 400 tilapia, and seven beehives. He built a greenhouse, started a garden, and planted four citrus trees.

He recently (October 4, 2010) was a guest speaker at the Discussion Group I founded and moderate at the Seminole Public Library - campus of St.Petersburg College, Seminole, Fl. I told a Biology professor that Andy would be speaking. That professor told the instructor of ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE about Andy's presentation. She requested permission to bring her class of fifteen Env. Science students to hear Andy.

I want to offer you a synopsis of Andy's presentation (for which he had written note cards and practiced the night before to make sure he had enough to say):

ANDY'S WORDS....(in rough draft):
"We are pursuing sustainability. Our ties to industrial society cannot be broken quickly. I have noticed we are willing to spend a great deal of money for our comfort levels. Regarding this pursuit of comfort, there is a quote from Thomas Jefferson that says..."we want that which never was and never will be."(rough quotation). Andy went on to say that the act of trying to provide for yourself has more tangible rewards. He is trying to convert an urban homestead. He said, "What has been my hardest challenge?" Ans. gardening. His watering method? capturing rain water. He prepared for his project(s) by taking a permaculture course...which teaches you to observe. EXAMPLE: Andy observed his ducks love to eat flies. So, he caught flies to give them to his ducks. He got rid of his fly problem by doing this.

"Pollution is simply an untapped resource." To rehabilitate his sandy soil, he learned how to develop worm castings (poop). He uses a 55-gal. drum to collect rain water. The drum is on the roof of the home. He utilizes a gutter system. Andy's question: "Why are we so willing to pay for things we can get for free?"
He collects food for his tilapia (they are vegetarians) by catching duckweed in local lakes. (Duckweed multiplies three times in 36 hours.)

Andy's comment, "I have a lot in common with third-world countries. We both have no money."
Why did Andy install a tilapia pond? It replaced a grass lawn that required both labor and water to maintain. Andy suggested we work with Mother Nature. He created a hydroponics system over the tilapia pond. The coleus did not like it. Mint....loves it. He sells his yard clippings.

Andy said, "The biggest mistake of my life? When I looked around in the U.S. to see how we are doing things. I actually needed to observe how things are done in third-world countries. They use one part portland and three parts sand." Andy started with 20 tilapia. He now has 400 tilapia! He started with 7 beehives. He now has 28 beehives. He hopes to have 100 hives in 2011. He pays people who have at least three acres of property to host his beehives. He explained that the reason he recently got stung by the bees was because he was mistakenly tending them on a cloudy day. (They're "cranky" on a cloudy day.)

Andy spoke about previous water treatment in which local water companies used to use chlorine in the system year-round. He said they caused carcinogenic substances. Now, they only use chlorine once a year.

Andy said, "Growing projects......bring a community together." He befriended his neighbors to acquire their support of his efforts. He said, many of them have now initiated gardens, too.

Andy said, "When you're learning something, you make a lot of mistakes." I felt that was a very useful comment for the college students to hear!

Robert, this might very well be one of the longest e-mails you have ever received. I believe it is the longest one I have ever written. I am, obviously, very motivated by Andy Wolfe and the attitude and determination he exudes. Naturally, his wife deserves credit, too.....as does Andy's father (who has changed many of his ideas as a result of all these projects).

I didn't want to forward this to your wife, Christie (hope I spelled her name correctly) and you had not yet provided your home (or preferred address) to me. Hope this method of sending this information meets with your approval.
Your New Friend,

Mary Hampton

Here we discuss technical roofing issues, as well as positive thought. This is why I felt compelled to share Mary's very uplifting message. Thank you Mary, and I hope you continue to visit, or request specific topics.

As always, thank you for visiting with me, and keep looking "UP".

Best,

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon

"Focus On Roofing"

Upon further reflection, I've decided to focus on roofing impropriety as a private mission, and not subject you to it here. Ms. Janet Campbell is the master in this area, and you can read all about it in her blog. Janet is listed under "Trusted Professionals" .

I apologize for letting a personal campaign affect my writing, as I have far too many topics of interest to discuss, and writing time is scarce due to my very intense schedule. Negativity takes a great deal of energy to expose, yet little to create. This is what we're up against.

I will be focused on sustainability issues for a couple of days, but will get back to providing useful roofing information over the weekend. Which roofs are best for cistern use? What are the harmful contaminants, and how do I guard against them? Can I water my fruits and vegetables with water collected from my roof?, etc.

Thanks for spending time with me today, and keep looking "UP".

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon

"Roofing Scams Targeting Public Work"

Dear Friends:

Tomorrow, I'll be embarking on what will surely be a monumental journey. I will be punished for bringing detailed information to you which illustrates common "scams" that cost you hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.

The FBI is involved, and many people are squirming beneath the light of truth. Others who have tried to expose them have been exposed to death threats, full time surveillance, and anything you can dream of.

The ones who have come before me deserve all the credit, as I've only been researching the topic for 4 years. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED, and that's a guarantee. I can work day and night on these wrongdoings, but cannot solve the problem alone. This is why I've joined about 5 others in the United States who selflessly give of themselves on your behalf.

Roofing professionals can be of the highest moral character, and I respect them for it. But we have a few manufacturers, and consultants, who do not feature open, fair, competition, and seek to use alternative sales methods which are not in your best interest.

As always, I will simply provide the data in it's entirety, and you will be in charge of whatever level you wish to pursue it. If at all. But I am certain of this: Charging taxpayers twice the price of equal products is wrong. Locking out competition is wrong. Exclusivity is wrong.

These issues are easily solved, and after I describe what is going on, we will discuss how we can stop it. Here, we discuss modern roofing technology, sustainability, taxpayer value, and inclusiveness of all people.

Tomorrow will make you angry, but I hope it invokes action. You deserve a much better return on your tax dollars, and roofing investments. I am bracing for backlash from the perpetrators, but I'm not the one under investigation by the FBI.

Thank you so much for visiting, and for those who've embraced what we do here. Bless you.

Enjoy your day, and remember to keep looking "UP".

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon

"Secret To Success"

I have a great number of topics on my desk to share with you, but they don't really mean anything, unless we understand the most important topic of all: HONESTY.

I know, "Ron, we don't need you to tell us about anything except roofing". But, I happen to admire the brilliant business anchor Mr. Neil Cavuto, and his words seemed to describe why so many contractors are distracted, and forget how important our "word" is. I hope you find merit in his very straightforward comments. Friends, this is Mr. Neil Cavuto:

Secret to Success
Monday, June 18, 2007
By Neil Cavuto

This is just me talking here, but you want to know the secret to getting ahead? I mean, the real secret?

It has nothing to do with talent. Nothing to do with connections.

I'm not saying those things don't help, but here's what clinches it: Keeping your word. Doing what you say.

I know it sounds simplistic, but I'll tell you what, a lot of people don't keep their word.

Contractors who don't show up when they say they will.

Companies that don't honor guarantees when they swore they would.

Car salesmen who suddenly forget promises made when they insisted they would not.

I don't know about you, but I'd gladly pay more — maybe not a lot more — but more for someone who does what he says.

Sadly, few do or certainly a lot fewer than when my dad was alive. He used to say his word was his bond and a handshake his contract.

Simpler times, I suppose, but more honorable times, when we appreciated others' time.

So here's my own nickel and dime advice to any contractor — any worker — in any business:

You say you're coming at 2 p.m., come at 2 p.m.

You can't make it, phone to say you can't make it.

Give an estimate. Stick to the estimate.

It's called common courtesy. It's also called service. People remember you for it. And think twice about ever dealing with you if you lie about it.

From here, we will work forward, assuming all are on board with this basic premise. It will help explain my reasoning and thought process in future posts. You will see that I am not sympathetic to techniques, or arrangements, that are contrary to an honest approach.

Tomorrow, I'll have a direct roofing topic, but felt compelled to share these thoughts with you. If anyone is ever offended by my comments, you may email me, and I will forward my home number, so you and I can speak directly. I will immediately retract any comments that are not accurate, but request you base your point on science or public record. Fair?

Your time and kind consideration are always appreciated here. Keep looking "UP".

Best,

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon

School Roofing Scams: An Introduction

Friends, I once thought I was alone in exposing "Proprietary Specifications" in the roofing industry. I'm not. A real warrior beat me to it, and I find I'm not alone. I'm very careful not to post anything that is not public record, and it's you who must make the decision. Please know I do not find joy when reporting these things to you. Quite the opposite is true.

http://cbs13.com/video/?id=74770@kovr.dayport.com

This is but ONE example of a trend all over this country(and abroad). We are laying off educators, lack basic necessities, and are cutting relevant programs. This is not an isolated case, because that would be unfair. You will see further examples for you to evaluate, but I don't want to inundate you with the avalanche of documented cases. ANYONE with a computer has the same access I do.

If you are angry, good. You should be. My only responsibility here is to accurately present information for you to consider, nothing more.

As I viewed the clip, my mind went to the decent people who readily volunteer their time, and resources, to assist children. Taking that away, and negating all the good work, is (in my opinion) sinful and absent of conscience.

Soon, I will share with you, how to eliminate this ...............well, you fill in the blank. Like I said, you make the decision. Ms. Janet Campbell does a masterful job of presenting the issue in it's entirety. She is linked under "Trusted

Which Roofs Are Considered To Be Green" Poll

Well, obviously the poll was a big hit with millions of people.

Of the groups listed, "Green" roofs were Vegetative, and White Single Ply. White asphalt shingles, and white modified bitumen, are not "Green", and add to "Heat Islands".

Tomorrow, I'll start another riveting poll that will no doubt capture your imagination.

The winner of the poll (Mr. Kevin Songer) receives a 2011 Corvette (and payment book).

Thanks to everyone for playing along.

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my lovely wife Christy. I depend upon her sweetness to balance out my angst, and that's a tall order folks. It's sort of like living inside a pinball machine.

Be good,

Ron