A roof with a purpose
When the roof of the Croatian Center in Chardon was dangerously damaged, the board of directors called Spartan StormShield to repair and replace in time for the August Feast of Mary celebration.
When Spartan StormShield Project Manager Ervin Miller (left) met with Slavko Kadic, VP of the Croatian American Center in Chardon, the roof inspection also revealed wooden trusses that had rotted and weakened.
Nestled on 103 acres of rolling verdant woods, meadowlands and lakes in Chardon, the Croatian Center gives life to cultural and religious events that unite the close-knit Croatian American community.
Built in 1971, the main building and surrounding pavilions celebrate traditions brought from Europe, hosting pig roasts, wine tastings, picnics and masses throughout the year. With a modernized kitchen and new restrooms, hand-laid stone bars, polished cement floors and rustic chandeliers, it is also an ideal wedding and special event venue.
When a portion of the decaying roof collapsed and put a stop to the activity last fall, Slavko Kadic, vice president of the Lodge, and the board of directors, interviewed several roofing contractors. They chose Spartan StormShield’s bid because of the detailed inspection and time the crew took with the board to explain the scope of damage and what it would take to fix it.
Correcting Poor Construction
When Project Manager Ervin Miller and his crew first inspected the roof, they noticed wooden trusses that had rotted and weakened. It was clear they could no longer support the heavy snow load that Chardon sees each winter. The job called for a complete roof replacement to be brought up to code. Slavko and the board selected a vibrant red metal roof to complement the white lodge.
During the take-down, Ervin also observed that the sad state of the roof’s structural condition had caused damage to the wood siding and trim on the western side of the lodge. It needed to be replaced. And with the board’s approval, Spartan StormShield was able to complete the work.
“We let them know that if it wasn’t addressed now, the situation would only worsen and be more difficult to fix in the future,” says Ervin, noting this project was the most involved reconstruction job undertaken by Spartan StormShield’s commercial division to date. Complementing its residential division, the commercial division of Spartan StormShield has grown by leaps and bounds over the past several years, expanding its footprint to businesses throughout Northeast Ohio.
Worth Every Penny
“We couldn’t be happier with the work,” says Slavko. “Every step of the job they explained what was happening. The communication was excellent. We are recommending this company to others. Their work was worth every penny.”
He adds the pressure was on to have the new roof completed by Sunday, August 17, when they are welcoming more than 1,000 people to the lodge to celebrate the Feast of Mary.
“We are happy the workers from Spartan StormShield lived up to their word to have the roof finished in time,” says Slavko. “For the Croatian people, our traditions surround the family. You’ll see children playing soccer on our fields, people doing traditional dances and sticking together enjoying meals. The Lodge is our anchor and an important part of our identity. America is a country of endless opportunities and we’re thankful to be part of it.”
Armed with product innovation and trusted craftsmanship from highly trained crews, Spartan StormShield lives up to its reputation for installing “the roof system to last your lifetime.” The company is headquartered at 309 Silver Street in Akron. It installs and repairs roofs for homes and businesses all over Northeast Ohio. Call 330-SPARTAN (330-772-7826) or visit
SpartanStormShield.com.
An Update on Weatherman AJ Colby’s Weather-Battered Roof
In the April feature story in Mimi Magazine, we sat in on an interview with Cleveland weather expert AJ Colby and Spartan StormShield co-owner Joel Arlia. At the end of the discussion about how extreme weather impacts roofing, he realized his own roof hadn’t been inspected in 20 years.
AJs home is a model and one of the first to be built in the neighborhood. Though it looked fine from the ground, Spartan StormShield technician James Packwood says there was a host of problems going on he could detect once he got up there, including nail pops caused by poor installation, rusted nails, missing shingles and granular loss that damaged existing shingles.
“There was too much damage to try to repair it, so we suggested he replace it,” says James. “I let him know that at 20 years, he got his money’s worth. We have replaced several homes’ roofs in his development at the 15-year mark.”
AJ says he was impressed with James’ thorough examination, taking photos of every detail of the damage.
“I’m not too well-versed in roofing, so I appreciate the extra time he took to go over his findings, as well as the highly detailed report he presented that I can utilize in the future,” says AJ. “James earned an immediate sense of trust from me.”
Free Roof Inspection!
Mention this story when you schedule a free roof inspection or leak analysis with Spartan StormShield. A roofing specialist will be on your roof to look for problems, take photos of any concerns and explain them in detail, providing solutions to specific issues. To schedule your free inspection, call 330-772-7826.
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