A range of roofing products heals and protects a forever home from hail

On June 2, 2024, storm chasers found an incredibly large hailstone the size and shape of a pineapple during a storm near Vigo Park, Texas, about 50 miles southeast of Amarillo. This Texas hail could shatter a state record for size. The hailstone was so large that there is no official name for it but photos showed it was slightly larger than a beer can. 

Texas hail is shaped by powerful thunderstorms, particularly during the spring and summer months. Hail can strike Texas any time of the year, causing significant damage to homes, vehicles and commercial properties. 

For residents and property owners in Texas, roof damage is an all-too-real occurrence.

Smith & Ramirez Roofing

El Paso, Texas-based Smith & Ramirez Roofing was founded by Ty Smith and Alex Ramirez in 2012 and has been a loyal GAF Master Elite contractor for over 10 years. Its mission has been to provide El Paso’s homes and businesses to have the best roofs, made with high-quality and environmentally-friendly materials that’ll last them for years. 

The company has seen and repaired a lot of Texas hail damage.

When hail damaged a house on the eastside of El Paso, Texas, Smith & Ramirez Roofing was approached with a residential renovation reroof project. “The homeowner was awesome and has said this is her forever home,” says Alex Ramirez, co-owner of Smith & Ramirez Roofing. “She already knew she wanted to work with us and use GAF products before she called.” 

GAF’s Pro Start Starter Strip Shingles were used because Ramirez says they, “provide the best coverage to the eaves and rakes to prevent shingle blow off.” Pre-cut eave/rake starter strips are one of the most overlooked parts of a quality roofing system. That’s because some roofing contractors will try to use a cut-up 3-tab strip shingle as the “starter” course on your roof. Unfortunately, these cut-up shingles may not have properly positioned adhesive to help reduce the risk of shingle blow-off. 

GAF’s WeatherWatch Ice & Water Leak Barrier was used to help prevent leaks due to water backing up into gutters or wind-driven rain. It has a traditional mineral surface that is compatible with asphalt shingle roof systems. Cobra Rigid Vent 3 Premium Ridge Vents allow heat and moisture to escape from the attic, while external baffles deflect wind and rain. Its EASYTEAR SIZING allows for hand-tearing the product in 3 inches (76 mm) increments; no knives are necessary and there is less waste.

GAF’s TimberCrest Premium SBS Modified Ridge Cap Shingles accentuate the beautiful architecture of the roof design with their bullnose shape while offering excellent protection at high-stress areas. For future hail storms and extra-tough protection, their Polymer-Modified Asphalt enhances flexibility and passes the UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance test. GAF’s LIBERTY SBS Self-Adhering Base & Cap Sheet is ideal for low-slope roof areas (½:12 – 3:12) such as garages, carports, or in this case, a beautiful covered back porch.

GAF’s Master Flow Pivot Pipe Boot Flashing was chosen for this installation because the homeowners had issues previously with leaks due to dried-out pipe boots, so the all-metal design of the Pivot was a good match. With no seals, gaskets or collars that can degrade and leak when exposed to the elements, the Pivot gave the El Paso homeowners peace of mind that the most vulnerable part of their new roof is protected for years to come.

After viewing the roof and its 8/12 pitch, and knowing that this is the homeowner’s “forever home”, Smith & Ramirez Roofing used Timberline UHDZ shingles. For a roof of this size and complexity, the dual shadow line feature on these slate-colored shingles would beautifully compliment the white exterior for a modern look that stands out from the neighborhood.

TEAM

Roofing Contractor: Smith & Ramirez Roofing, El Paso, Texas, www.smithandramirezroofing.com

MATERIALS

Shingles: Pro Start Starter, GAF, www.gaf.com

Ice and Water Leak Barrier: WeatherWatch, GAF

Ridge Vents: Cobra Rigid Vent 3 Premium, GAF

Ridge Cap Shingles: TimberCrest Premium SBS Modified, GAF

Membrane: LIBERTY SBS Self-Adhering Base & Cap Sheet, GAF

Pipe Boot Flashing: Master Flow Pivot, GAF

Shingles: Timberline UHDZ, GAF