GreenTek Roof Renew Featured in the News
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/industry-news.asp?articleID=742445
Greentek extends life of roof with a good cleaning
May 02, 2009 @ 10:20 PM
LESLIE COUNTS
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Having a house cleaned top to bottom can take on a new meaning, particularly the top part, according to the owner of a fairly new business in Huntington.
Greentek Roof Renew has been using its environmentally friendly roof cleaning process for two years, according to owner Jeremiah D. Ferrell. It is a process that can improve your home's aesthetics and preserve the life of your roof, Ferrell said.
Ferrell became interested in the business after spying blackened rooftops.
"One day, I realized that a lot of homes had dark black streaks on their roofs, and I was curious to find out what they were," Ferrell said.
He discovered that the dark streaks were lichen and moss growing on the shingles. Further, these airborne allergens feed off the granules that make up shingles and can eat holes in roofs, causing leaks.
Ferrell visited a company in South Carolina that removed these harmful growths from roofs. There, he learned the types of cleaning they performed and the equipment and knowledge needed to start his business.
Ferrell said he found a good idea and took a leap of faith.
"I took the initiative to start a new business that creates some job openings. We saw an opportunity for growth, and we jumped on it," he said.
The company employs four people, including Ferrell.
The process begins with a soft wash application. There is no pressure washing. The solution deep cleans dirt and growths with an environmentally-approved mix, Ferrell said.
Once the solution has worked properly, Greentek employees carefully clean the roof. The result is a roof that looks younger and could last another 10 years.
The solution is not harmful to plants or siding, and Greektek has never had any problems with killing plants or hurting the rest of a home's aesthetics, Ferrell said.
"We make sure that we wet down the siding and the plants, and it will just roll off plants. The solution is environmentally friendly. We've never killed any plants," he said.
Another benefit is reducing the number of shingles sent to landfills.
Greentek often does home shows in Charleston and Huntington, and its employees are surprised at the number of people who didn't know about the process. Many people are under the impression that the dark stains on their roofs are harmless coal stains. Also, many people are replacing roofs prematurely due to a dirty grimy appearance, Ferrell said. Greentek can clean a roof for 20 cents to 30 cents a square foot.
Greentek receives a great deal of business from real estate agents who hope to make a home look newer and prettier from the outside. Also, new homeowners use Greektek when they are reluctant to buy a home whose roof looks older than the house.
"You're home is your castle, you don't want to depreciate the value of your home but rather sustain the life of its shingles," Ferrell said.
Currently, on Greentek's Web site, people can enter the "Ugliest Roof Contest." Contestants can send in a picture of their ugly roof with the chance to win a free roof cleaning from Greentek. The Web site is www.greentekroofrenew.com.
Greentek can be contacted at its Web site or by calling 304-941-3977 or 304-617-3977.
Ugly Roof?: ; Area Business Offers Green Cleaning Service
Source: Sunday Gazette - Mail; Charleston, W.V.
Publication date: July 20, 2008
By Sarah K. Winn
CONTEST How ugly is your roof? GreenTek Roof Renew is sponsoring an Ugly Roof Contest. Contestants can submit a picture of their roof to win a free cleaning. Details on Page 5C. For more information about the company, visit www.greentekroofrenew.com or e-mail greentekroof@gmail.com
Have an ugly roof? Thinking about shelling out thousands of dollars for a replacement? A Kanawha Valley-based company has a different, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.
GreenTek Roof Renew started in April using a non-toxic solution to clean airborne algae off homeowner's roofs. The algae makes the ugly, dark brown spots on roofs, GreenTek owner Jeremiah Ferrell said.
The step-up is simple, just a hose and two tanks of special solution.
"There's no pressure whatsoever," Ferrell said as he stood a top of roof of a home in Teays Valley. "It's just like using a garden hose."
After a short time, Ferrell washes the solution off with water, and the dark brown algae spots wash away as well.
Ferrell, a Kanawha Valley native, noticed the problem of airborne algae when he was looking to purchase some duplexes. "It's a pretty big problem here," he said. When he tried to find out how to fix it, there wasn't a local solution, he said. So, with the help of a silent partner, GreenTek was born.
The process will not void the home's roof shingle warranty. It is approved and recommended by major shingle manufacturers and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.
While it is simple to do, cleaning a roof should be done by a professional, Ferrell said. He won't disclose what's in the solution, but it won't hurt the home, shingles or plants, he said.
The one thing that the cleaning doesn't include is pressure washing, which can damage shingles, he said.
Many customers think they need to replace their roof, but cleaning it can make it look better, he said. By not prematurely replacing a roof, the homeowner keeps their home's shingles out of the landfill, thus protecting the environment, he said.
The cost? 21 to 31 cents per square foot to clean compared to $1 to $6 per foot for replacement shingles, Ferrell said.
The time to complete the treatment varies, depending on the size of the roof, Ferrell said. On average, it takes an hour and a half, he said.
So far, GreenTek has relied primarily on word-of-mouth for advertising. Their business cards and brochures have been passed out to local realtors and home inspectors, along with posting road signs, he said.
Ugly Roof Contest
Also, to get the word out, the company is sponsoring an Ugly Roof Contest. Contestants can submit a picture of their roof to win a free cleaning. Contest entries can be submitted at greentekroof@gmail.com. Homes in Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha, Jackson, Mason counties and in Franklin County in Ohio are eligible. Winners will be announced Aug. 1 and only roofs with asphalt shingles can be cleaned.
For Ferrell, cleaning instead of replacing a roof saves not only money, but can help the environment as well.
"It's very beneficial to the homeowner, especially when it comes to replacement costs and aesthetics," he said. "And, it's green, keeping shingles out of the landfill."
Reach Sarah K. Winn at sarahkwinn@wvgazette.com or 348-5156.
Originally published by Staff writer.
(c) 2008 Sunday Gazette - Mail; Charleston, W.V.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
For Immediate Release
Scott Depot Family Wins Ugliest Roof Contest
Scott Depot, WV --August 1, 2008—Today, GreenTek Roof Renew announced the winner of their 2008 Ugliest Roof Contest. Joe and Barb Flanery of Scott Depot, WV will receive a free roof cleaning to remove the unsightly, dark stains on their shingles.
GreenTek Roof Renew President Jeremiah Ferrell stated, “We were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming number of homeowners who have shown an interest in our company and the Ugliest Roof Contest. We are thrilled to be able to help the Flanery’s solve their ugly roof problem and we hope to help many other homeowners. People in the valley have been very supportive of our company and we are pleased to be able to contribute to the community.”
About GreenTek Roof Renew LLC
GreenTek Roof Renew LLC, a West Virginia company, specializes in roof cleaning. They use a non-toxic soft wash process to clean airborne algae stains off of asphalt shingles providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to roof replacement.
Contact:
Jeremiah Ferrell
GreenTek Roof Renew LLC
614-893-3654
greentekroof@gmail.com
www.greentekroofrenew.com
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