"33 1/3"

My dear friend, Mr. Songer forwarded this rather unique recycling effort. After I saw this, I regretted selling all 1,300 albums in my collection, when I could have roofed my home with them. I'm not real sure about the solar reflectance of black vinyl though.

I should think a single nail in the center of each album would exceed 120 mph wind tunnel testing withouit too much difficulty.

"As Lloyd Alter points out at Treehugger, the vinyl records may not withstand heat very well, especially if they are in direct sunlight. But if the trees do the work of keeping the sun out, these old records should do an excellent job of keeping the rain out.

Not only that, but the records would make for a great conversation piece as you wait out those drenching Tennessee rainstorms.

What do you do with those stacks of of old, damaged or just plain bad vinyl records you came across at a garage sale or in your aunt's attic this summer? If you're Nashville musician Matt Glassmeyer, you use them as shingles for your porch roof.

Glassmeyer attached 350 damaged records to the frame of his deck roof, each with a single roofing nail.

As Lloyd Alter points out at Treehugger, the vinyl records may not withstand heat very well, especially if they are in direct sunlight. But if the trees do the work of keeping the sun out, these old records should do an excellent job of keeping the rain out.

Not only that, but the records would make for a great conversation piece as you wait out those drenching Tennessee rainstorms."

Okay, that's our fun for today, but I will have very exciting news prepared for my next post, and try to get it out today or tomorrow.

I appreciate the time you spend here, and thank you for caring. I will wish you a very happy day my friends, and remember to keep looking "UP".

Respect,

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon
CCC1325620

"

"Proactive vs. Reactive"

I rarely see a roofing contractor who follows a sequence that is common, and necessary for every project. This procedure never changes, yet we act as if everything is a "surprise".

It is true that we are over regulated, and face many personalities within permitting jurisdictions. Those jurisdictions are individual to each city, county, and state, thus making it very difficult for any type of uniformity within the permitting process. Example: I recently spent a total of 70 hours working on a permit, and it can be enough to frustrate even Job.

Now that I've described what we face, I can tell you that permitting is simply a line item when adhering to procedure. We know that a NOC will be required, complete submittal package, MSDS, safety program (in English, and in Spanish), detailed proposal, notice to owner, insurance certificates, warranties, etc.

Instead of listing the check off items, and completing them in sequence, we seem to (forgive me) follow the "squeaky wheel" theory, and as a result, create confusion and mayhem when it absolutely does not have to happen. I will discuss "Left side of the line" principle in a separate post.

ALL this paperwork is exhaustive, but no matter how much you fight it, you will not win. Understanding that, you will find it is in everyone's best interest if you make the sequence uniform and efficient. It's not very important what you WANT to do, but what you HAVE to do, so grin and bear it.

This may seem penny ante to many of you, but while residential work does not require as much paperwork, the client LOVES to see a safety disc, product literature, a stamped envelope with the completed warranty which they sign, mail, and their warranty information has been recorded. Hey Ron, why don't we pile more paperwork on ourselves?

Well, I can tell you the reward from spending a little time on your clients will elevate you from "Terry Tarbucket", to a professional, and the client will feel secure knowing their best interest is at heart. If you simply regard each structure as if it were your own, you will succeed. If you want to scratch out a price on the bottom of a Burger King bag, you will fail. If you represent yourself as slovenly, the client will receive you that way.

I've written procedure and philosophy numerous times, but it takes a commitment by management to insure it's carried out. Without procedure, you will never be able to identify the source of problems, or corrections. While I'm on the topic, I might share that "Blaming" people is not relevant to anything except ego. As an administrator, you do not get paid to "Blame" people, but to "Solve Problems".

"Ron did it, Ron did it, Ron did it" seems kind of silly doesn't it? Do you think the client cares?

I am trying to impart a philosophy in business I've found very useful. If you want to rise above the competition, think ahead, and provide the items I've mentioned, or come up with your own version. If anyone would like to see a written roofing contractor procedure, I will be happy to provide it. After that, it's on you.

If anyone has a suggestion, or experience to share, it is welcome here.

I am deeply appreciative for the opportunity to share thought with you, and hopefully assist you in some way. Thank you for visiting, and always remember to keep looking "UP".

Be good,

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon

"Respecting Clients"

"Sustainable Schools"

Today is election day, and I'm unable to take the time for a complete post. But, tomorrow we'll be discussing energy "Saved", instead of "Energy Created".

Thank you to Annie. Annie is in Australia, and moving to the United States (Texas), and renovating a home with many well thought out sustainability features, including roofing.

The theme will sort of be about tripping over dollars to pick up nickels. I have a couple of examples I've seen, that will put a very pensive look on your face. One reason you might find it interesting, is that you're paying for it.

But I did have an article come out in West Coast Roofing Contractors Association this month, and hopefully you will find it interesting:

Florida “Sustainable Schools”
By: “Ron” Robert R. Solomon

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Each year, The Collins Center in Tallahassee receives nominations for the

Governor’s “Sustainable Florida” and “Sustainable Schools” programs. These
nominations and sustainability efforts represent the most prestigious
environmental awards in the state. Though retired, I consider it my civic
responsibility to represent (independently) our skill discipline on issues of
immediate and long term need. I’m probably as “Old School” as just about
anyone, but given half a chance will choose a roof system that is
multidimensional (up front and life cycle cost, clean water, and energy
reduction) every time. Sometime, I even think about keeping water out of the
building while I’m at it.

Nominees include USGBC, State Agricultural Commission, SWFTMD, Wal-Mart,
and many representatives of local and state government throughout Florida.
I’ve been very fortunate to be named a judge several times, and evaluate the applications and place a numerical value which I submit to Tallahassee,
winners are chosen, and a very nice awards presentation follows.

This isn’t just a bunch of backslapping, elitist, corporate types, as it is open to all
people and judged without prejudice. That’s actually the hard part, because
one moment I see a huge Everglades restoration project, and the next is a
lady who is emphatic about using a clothes line. I review many fascinating
applications and initiatives, with some very small, and others vast in scope,
but each passionate regardless of scale.

Along with the application, there are many attachments and photos which
further illustrate the effort, and provide a more personal aspect. I’m sharing
these topics with you today because our discipline is interfaced with many
sustainable circuits. What in the world does that mean Ron? It means the
roof, HVAC, windows, etc. must work in concert for the structure to perform
as designed. I consider the roof to be the singular most important component
of any structure, yet the last to be addressed. Everyone likes nice landscaping
and paint, but since they can’t see the roof, it doesn’t exist. I’m trying to
inform as many decision makers as I can to change that.

Okay, let me step off my soap box and get to the schools. School districts,
schools, teachers, and students, all compete in several categories, and are
judged accordingly. Many of the projects were accomplished without
funding, and in many cases, generated revenue for the school. Some were
heavily funded (in one case $80,000.00), but were considered to be useful to
a broader audience (a solar car from Key West is an example).

If any of you have children (K-12) who participate, or would like to participate, I’d be
proud to nominate them for next year’s competition. Winners receive a
check for $1,500.00, a plaque, and a proclamation signed by the Governor
(Sink or Scott?). But it’s the “achievement” they seem to covet most, and I
find that uplifting.

I’d be more than happy to forward a complete list if anyone would like to see
your children’s respective schools, or school district. These kids get out in
the dirt, clean waterways, plant and harvest, collect tons of recyclable
debris, and work harder than many adults I know. Below is a link for anyone
who values the “hands on” involvement of children in actual environmental
settings. Believe me, it’s very personal when I have to review a class of
kindergartners with disabilities, and be objective. I know this sounds corny,
but each of them are champions, whom I consider benefactors of society.
You have wonderful children, doing great things, and you should be proud of
them. I am.

We all know how tough things are, and money is tight, but if you can spare a
couple of bucks for these kids, it will be put to good use.
Sustainable Florida:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/ed/schools/judging.htm

In closing, I will share that it would be my privilege to help any of you with
sustainability as it pertains to roofing, energy, and clean water. This is what I do each day, of my own volition. Please understand I respect each and
every member of the WCRCA, do not promote one manufacturer over
another, or participate in anything that would preclude anyone from fair
competition.

You are welcome to contact me at: RobertRSolomon@aol.com for additional
information, and I’ll be happy to help.

Note: If you are planning a roofing project within 100 miles of Tampa, you would find very qualified contractors within the WCRCA. If you want to request them through me, I'll be sure to put together a list of qualified contractors I know personally, and have found to be very good people.

Today is a good day to keep looking "UP"

Be good,

Robert R. Ron" Solomon

"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