Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.

In loving memory of Naphis Mitchell-Reyes

Naphis Aliel Mitchell-Reyes, age 56, passed away on October 16, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. He was born on March 10, 1965 to parents, Louis Manuel Mitchell and Rosa Delima Reyes in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Naphis was a man who valued honor, truth, and family above all. Always seeked excellence in all his endeavors; he would say "I will never stop learning." He was loved by every person that met him, he will forever be remembered in our hearts.

Naphis is preceded in death by his father, Luis Manuel Mitchell-Estrada. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 14 years, Amparo Pastor. Also to cherish is memory will be his daughters: Veronica Mitchell-Garcia; Elena Mitchell-Pastor; and Rebeca Cabanes Pastor. As well as his sons: Naphis Aliel Mitchell Jr. and Jose Cabanes Pastor. Grandchildren Aliel Mitchell, Sofia Garcia, Mateó García, and Annie Cabanes.

Understanding Roofing Systems

Part 1: BUR (Built-Up Roof)

The roofing industry's workhorse is the built-up roof (BUR) system. Coatings commonly used on BUR systems include solvent- and water-borne asphalt coatings; solvent- and water-borne aluminized asphalt coatings; and water-borne white elastomeric coatings (generally acrylics).

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BUR systems can have several surface finishes—they can have bare or glaze-coated top sheets; be flood-coated with mopping asphalt; have a mineral (granulated) cap sheet as a top layer; or have a finish layer of gravel embedded in hot asphalt.

A mineral cap sheet generally is the easiest surface to coat because its small texture allows most coatings to achieve a strong mechanical grip. These minerals also block asphalt bleed. Smooth BUR systems are readily coated with solvent-borne asphalt coatings; they require careful preparation and base coats to accept water-borne coatings. Gravel-covered roofs generally are impractical to coat without removing the gravel, which will affect a roof system's fire rating.

Asphalt coatings, long recognized as effective for prolonging life cycles and restoring aging BUR systems, are applied after a BUR system's initial installation and at regular intervals during the BUR system's life cycle as part of a regular maintenance program.

Traditional solvent-borne bituminous roof coatings are made from cutback bitumen. To make cutback bitumen, distillate bitumen residue is refined to various specific physical properties through vacuum distillation or oxidation. This refined asphalt then is blended with a petroleum solvent, such as mineral spirits. This blend of bituminous resin and solvent is combined with special clay fillers or fibers to create a gel coating. These components' proportions ultimately determine a coating's consistency and properties.

For the past 60 years, water-borne asphalt coatings have been developed and used as alternatives to solvent-borne coatings. The mixture of bitumen, water and bentonite (clay) is referred to as asphalt emulsion because the microscopic asphalt particles are held in suspension by a clay coating.

In an ongoing, independent coating durability test program conducted by the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association it was observed that solvent- and water-borne coatings in all climates perform better on all types of smooth roof surfaces when applied over an asphalt emulsion base coat. One advantage of asphalt emulsions is they generally meet fire ratings of original asphalt BUR systems.

If an original roof system was applied in hot asphalt, an asphalt emulsion coating generally can be applied relatively soon, but if the original roof was cold-applied with an adhesive, it usually is necessary to wait about 30 days before applying an asphalt emulsion.

Aluminum pigments can be used to formulate solvent- and water-borne asphalt coatings to protect against ultra­violet (UV) radiation and provide significant reflectivity. These coatings have small flakes of aluminum pigment dispersed in them. They typically have solar reflectivity values between 0.40 and 0.50 though premium formulations have demonstrated initial solar reflectivities in excess of 70 percent.

Highly reflective white top coats have become more common during the past several years as a means to reduce peak roof surface temperatures. This minimizes peak electrical demand for air conditioning in many buildings and provides ultimate reduction in diurnal temperature cycles, which can stress and fatigue roof systems.

A majority of these white coatings are water-borne acrylic coatings. Because of the range of physical and chemical properties available within the general acrylic category, a particular coating's suitability for a given substrate should be verified with the coating's manufacturer. Most white acrylic coatings intended for use on asphalt roof systems can be applied directly to mineral cap sheets after appropriate surface cleaning (some don't require a barrier layer); smooth asphalt surfaces normally require a specified primer or base coat designed specifically to stop asphalt from bleeding into the top coat.

Asphalt typically contains light oils called exudates, which rise to a membrane's surface soon after application. Exudates often wash off roof systems after a rainstorm. Nevertheless, any exudate that remains on a roof system before coating application should be thoroughly removed. Exudates can cause staining or even debonding of a coating.

An optional coating for a gravel-surfaced BUR system is spray polyure­thane foam (SPF). This effectively changes a substrate from gravel-surfaced BUR to SPF. An advantage of this approach is the layer of insulation above the BUR keeps the BUR from being subjected to extreme heat. A white coating over an SPF roof system can result in additional energy savings. Typical coatings for SPF are acrylic, polyurethane and silicone.

Whitening of the existing base of a commercial BUR system is important. Although BUR systems are among the most durable roof systems available, it is possible to extend their life cycles even more with coatings.

Source: Professional Roofing

Remembering Our Empire Family

September 30, 2001.

Today we remember the four lives lost in the fatal accident involving eleven Empire Roofing team members twenty years ago. May we keep their families and loved ones in our thoughts.

"Even though we can’t ever replace Castulo, my family is forever grateful to the McGlothlin’s & Empire Roofing & how they helped us get through this difficult time. I am blessed to follow my dad’s legacy and I am very proud to be here."

- Rachel Pedroza, Second generation empire family member

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"They are our family. They are such a big part of us. Without them, we wouldn't have our company. They had given a lot to us, and we just owed it to them to give back."

- Sandra Sedillo-McGlothlin , 2018 interview with Fort Worth Magazine

La familia es todo.

Tecta America Company LLC has recently acquired Empire Roofing, Inc.

Tecta America Company LLC has recently acquired Empire Roofing, Inc.

We are pleased to announce that Tecta America Company LLC has recently acquired Empire Roofing, Inc. and all its U.S. based affiliate roofing operations. Effective today July 20th our business operations for Empire Roofing will begin conducted as:

Empire Roofing, A Tecta America Company.

Our roofing company began its professional endeavor in 1982. Its growth over the past 39 years has been predominantly internal, stemming from the referrals of our client base and those of other professionals. The growth and development of our professional staff has evolved in a similar manner. We have attracted high-quality, committed professionals, and invested in their training, development, and growth. As a result of those efforts, we have experienced great growth over the past several years. This has been directly related to the success of our clients in their business growth throughout the years.

We have decided to seek a merger with Tecta America Co. because we believe that a larger organization will allow us to provide a wider array of services and more depth. As you know, in our area of the country finding and retaining excellent people is a constant challenge. A larger organization will also mean our associates will benefit from even more and stronger business opportunities.

Tecta America Co. shares the same values we do. We conducted an extensive search within our region looking for an opportunity like this. Tecta America Co. exceeded our hopes for a partner we can combine with and continue the tradition we have for excellent service, deep expertise, and an environment our clients and associates want to be a part of.

Our existing staff will be able to provide you many new services and areas of expertise in the future. We look forward to discussing those in more depth with you. However, there are several things we want to point out that will not change:

• Empire Roofing founders and Partners will continue to lead this dedicated and talented team

• You will continue working with the same people at Empire Roofing that you have in the past.

• All our employees will remain in their current roles.

• The services we have provided you in the past will continue to be offered.

• Management will continue providing exceptional service in all areas.

We will continue to operate from our current offices. All the contact information for us will remain the same.

We want to personally say a big Thank You for your continued business, and we look forward to our continuing relationship.

About Tecta America

Tecta America is the nation's premier commercial roofing contractor with locations coast to coast. Tecta’s unyielding commitment to quality, expertise, and professionalism is what makes it the industry leader. Installations of all types, repairs, emergency response, sustainability options, and more — Tecta offers a local roofing contractor's responsiveness backed by the resources and stability customers need from a national provider of commercial roofing solutions. For more information, visit Tecta’s website at www.tectaamerica.com

Sincerely,

-The Empire Roofing Executive Team

Empire Roofing, A Tecta America Company.