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Press Release Page
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Article From L.A. Times Newspaper February 21, 2000 Working - Michael Precher and Tom Shea They are the roofing tag-team that runs T & G Roofing Co. in Upland. They joined forces about eight years ago. Prescher covers promotions and payroll, while Shea supervises the company's projects. Both men have been in the business since they were teens looking for extra cash during the summer months away from school. Their experience braving heights and muscling through the tedious work led them to seek careers in the field. The Calm Before the Storm With recent heavy rains, they said requests for repairs and even roof replacements have picked up. Although a leaky roof during a heavy storm would ideally be repaired right away, Prescher and Shea said, repairs can't safely begin until after the storm. However, when safety allows, some help is offered during the rain, including emergency tarping. Prescher offered advice to homeowners with leaky roofs to hold them over until help arrives. "It may seem damaging to poke a hole in the dry wall, but if the water is dripping down anyway, you should give it a way to escape or it will travel through a larger area." he said. However, the partners strongly encourage homeowners to think about their roofs' conditions before the rainy season. Rather than wait until signs of roof problems drip onto their heads and valuable belongings, Prescher suggested that homeowners check for warped, damaged or deteriorated shingles in the summer. Catching the problem early could save the homeowner the added costs of water damage. On top of that, some companies can schedule work more easily and offer slightly lower rates during the summer months because of lighter workloads, they said. Rough Roofing Although they've moved into management positions, Prescher and Shea remember some rough work. "Roofing is heavy work," Shea said, taking away the glamour of being on top of the world. "Concrete tile is heavy, and it'll beat you up really quickly. Imagine working on a roof in the summer." Heights can also be intimidating. Prescher once straddled a five-story-high church steeple, and Shea once had to recover after a ladder slipped from beneath him. For Prescher, they key to keeping a fear of heights under control is repetition. "Every day you go up there, then you get used to it," he said. "You do get a little shaky when you get close to the edge, but you do it with caution, sit down at the edge and never be a tough guy." Shea agreed, adding that being afraid of heights might make a person unfit for the job, but being aware of potential danger is important to safety." "Never take risks," he said. "And you never overdo what you think you can do or you may hurt your back by carrying to much." Regardless of dangers and the difficulty of roofing, both agree the perks are enough to keep them in business. "It's a tough business," Prescher said, "but the pay can be good. There are times when business drops, but I can't complain. I've had a nice life." Story by Uyen Mai, photo by Katherine Head |
