GCP Applied Technologies has donated roofing products to HOPE Agua Vita, a humanitarian mission team, to support the ongoing rebuilding and new construction of homes for families impacted by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

HOPE Agua Vita is dedicated to rebuilding homes in hurricane-prone regions where devastating damage has left people in desperate need. After Hurricane Maria caused monumental damage to the island of Puerto Rico in September 2017, HOPE Agua Vita sent a team to the village of San Lorenzo to assess the damage and set goals for a long-term recovery. To support this critical mission, GCP has donated its premium product, ICE & WATER SHIELD self-adhered roofing underlayment, to rebuild homes and help protect them from future damage.

“We are so grateful for the donation of ICE & WATER SHIELD underlayment from GCP,” said HOPE Agua Vita Mission Coordinator Scott Davis. “The high quality product helped us rebuild and repair roofs in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico in January and in our recent visit in early May.”

“A big part of our mission involves training local community members on advanced building skills to make their homes more hurricane resistant,” said HOPE Agua Vita Mission Leader Doug Tarry. “ICE & WATER SHIELD roofing membrane is a part of that effort, providing an enhanced water barrier to help prevent damaging rain from leaking into their homes. We look forward to continuing our work with GCP and our other industry partners in developing more hurricane-resistant construction techniques that are repeatable, sustainable and affordable.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published recommendations for the use of fully-adhered roofing underlayments as an enhanced secondary water barrier for homes in both coastal and inland hurricane-prone areas. For 40 years, contractors have relied on ICE & WATER SHIELD fully-adhered roofing underlayment from GCP Applied Technologies to provide quality protection.

“Hurricane Maria caused unprecedented devastation and we are happy to help with the recovery effort,” said Greg Austin, Marketing Director for Specialty Systems & Design Advantage at GCP. “GCP is pleased to provide high quality roofing underlayments to assist HOPE Agua Vita in its long-term hurricane recovery initiative.”