GAF and Partners help provide protection against storms in Georgia
In the wake of devastating storms like Hurricane Helene, homeowners in Valdosta and Moultrie, Georgia, are seeking ways to help protect their homes. GAF is proud to highlight its disaster recovery partnership with veteran-led humanitarian group Team Rubicon alongside a GAF Master Elite® Contractor[FN1] J&J Roofing and Construction, who are working together to rebuild these vulnerable areas.
The Real Impact of Severe Weather
Recent storms have demonstrated how quickly high winds can compromise a home's safety. Brittany Smith described the harrowing experience of staying home alone during Hurricane Helene while her husband Tyler was deployed.
“I was scared the whole roof was going to come off because it was loud,” Smith recalled.
The damage was so severe, that all the shingles on the roof ripped off and huge metal vent ducts were torn off by the wind. “Large holes — measuring up to a foot and a half by three feet holes—were left exposed to the elements,” said firefighter/paramedic Ermin Kreso.
Raising the Standard with a FORTIFIED Certification
To learn how to install roofs to the FORTIFIED standard[FN2], J&J Roofing and Construction pursued becoming a FORTIFIED™ Certified Roofing Contractor[FN3]. This was achieved in part through training offered by GAF’s CARE Center.
Through an alliance with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization, GAF helps provide training for contractors like Dalton Murphy on the FORTIFIED™ Roof program, a research-backed building standard designed to help protect against severe weather[FN2].
In fact, nearly 1/3 of all IBHS certified FORTIFIED installers nationwide are also certified by GAF[FN1], demonstrating a massive commitment to lead the industry in storm resilience. Furthermore, when a GAF Master Elite® Contractor[FN1] who is also FORTIFIED Certified[FN3] installs a qualifying roof that receives a FORTIFIED Roof designation[FN2] the roof may be eligible for enhanced warranty coverage.[FN4]
Community Support
Through the support and cooperation of organizations like Team Rubicon, contractors like J&J Roofing and Construction, and corporate programs like GAF’s Community Matters Initiative, help is available for those who need it most, ensuring a safer community for everyone.
[FN1] Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use. Visit gaf.com/gaf-contractor-terms-of-use for details.
[FN2] Eligibility criteria, terms, and restrictions apply. See current FORTIFIED Home™ Standard available at fortifiedhome.org for details. U.S. only. Even if GAF products meet certain FORTIFIED requirements or are used in a FORTIFIED designated roof, GAF products are covered by GAF’s limited warranties, which provide your sole and exclusive remedy for any covered issues arising out of or related to qualifying GAF products. See gaf.com/warranties for details.
[FN3] FORTIFIED™ certified is a program of IBHS. Eligibility requirements, terms, and restrictions apply. For details, visit fortifiedhome.org/how-to-become-fortified-certified. Always verify that your contractor is FORTIFIED Certified with IBHS by visiting fortifiedproviders.com.
[FN4] See Golden Pledge Limited Warranty, President's Club Limited Warranty and Limited Fortified Addendum available at gaf.com/warranties for complete coverage and restrictions.
