She Builds
Community Service Reroof Project in Tacoma, Washington
by Ali Turner, editorial & multimedia manager
Rebuilding Together South Sound of Tacoma, Washington, has a mission of repairing homes, revitalizing communities, and rebuilding lives by providing safe homes and communities for everyone. Since 2001, Rebuilding Together South Sound has repaired 1,119 homes and 18 non-profit facilities and reinvested $8.4 million into the community. Within Rebuilding Together South Sound, a special program entitled She Builds provides critical home repairs for women in need. She Builds also includes home repair trainings to give women the confidence and skills to maintain safe and healthy homes.
A recent She Builds project required a full roof replacement and yard cleanup for a single mother and grandmother in Tacoma. Chinook Building Envelope Services, Fife, Washington, a member of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association, was the roofing contractor that worked on the community service project. Chinook Building Envelope Services specializes in residential and commercial roofing, as well as waterproofing.
“The project was performed as part of our local Seattle Chapter of National Women in Roofing (NWIR),” said Rae July, director of steep slope operations, Chinook Building Envelope Services. “We partnered with Rebuilding Together South Sound for the third year to donate a roof to a female homeowner as part of the She Builds event.”
The existing roof was past its life expectancy and needed to be replaced. PABCO® Roofing Products donated all of the shingle products that were installed on the residential roof. On this home, the roofing contractors installed PABCO’s Premier® laminated architectural shingles, an excellent choice because of their reliability and beautiful appearance. “PABCO is a local shingle manufacturer with a factory located a few miles away from the project,” explained July. “The company really stepped up with a generous donation.”
Beacon Building Products donated the additional accessories, including, vents, metal flashing, nails, and underlayment from its TRI-BUILT® brand. Chinook Building Envelope Services donated the gutters and downspouts. Fields Roof Service, Kent, Washington, a member of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association, donated labor for the project as well.
In years past, NWIR has participated and been able to supply upwards of 30 volunteers in various positions that include installing the roof as well as yard cleanup and light landscaping. For this year’s project, inclement weather meant that not all of the volunteers were able to participate onsite. However, the crew was able to navigate a schedule around the weather that resulted in them completing the tear-off, re-sheet, and dry-in first. Then, on the day of the She Builds event, they installed the new roof under the cover of rain.
“What our NWIR chapter loves most about this project is how it brings us all together,” said July. “Members of our chapter represent various roofing organizations and we all come together for a good cause.”
