“The voice of the experienced roofer is not actually being listened to.”
That line stuck with me.
When I first got the message inviting me to Dublin for official Lava 20 training, I wasn’t completely sure why I’d been asked. I’m not the biggest name in roofing. I haven’t been doing the online thing for decades. So naturally, I wondered…
Why me?
But when someone like Geoff Smith – the Roofing Outlaw offers you an opportunity, you don’t overthink it. You reshuffle the diary, clear a few days of work, book the flight, and make it happen.
What unfolded in Dublin turned out to be about far more than just product training.
From a Message… to Dublin
The whole thing started with a simple invite: join Geoff and his team in Dublin for Lava 20 training. The hotel and training were covered. All I had to do was get myself there.
So I did.
We landed in proper Irish weather, and within minutes Jeff had already spotted roofers working across the way. Some things don’t change – take a roofer anywhere in the world and he’ll still be scanning rooftops.
Before the training began, we had time to talk. Marcus (Geoff’s business partner) was there, along with Wayne – who was actually meeting Jeff in person for the first time.
There’s something about sharing stories over your first proper Irish Guinness that breaks the ice quickly. What started as introductions soon felt like camaraderie.
And during those conversations, I began to understand that this wasn’t just about learning a product.
It was about something bigger.
If you want to see how it all played out behind the scenes, I’ve documented the full experience in the video – it gives a much better feel for the atmosphere and the conversations than words alone ever could.
The Bigger Issue: Are Roofers Being Heard?
One of the strongest themes that came up repeatedly was this:
Experienced roofers aren’t being listened to.
Geoff was very open about his frustration with boardrooms and certification panels being dominated by people who’ve never actually installed a flat roof, traced a leak, or diagnosed why a slate roof has failed.
His view is simple:
If you want to raise standards in roofing, you need experienced tradespeople involved in decision-making.
That’s something I can relate to. Whether I’m carrying out complex roof repair work or diagnosing long-standing problems during chimney maintenance, practical experience is everything. You can’t replace years on the tools with a spreadsheet.
In my own day-to-day work – from roof repairs to more specialist chimney maintenance and repair projects – real-world application is what determines whether something lasts or fails.
That’s why the conversations in Dublin hit home.
Training That Felt Different
The Lava 20 training itself wasn’t delivered by influencers or middlemen. It came directly from the people behind the product.
The focus wasn’t hype.
It wasn’t marketing spin.
It was:
- Understanding the material properly
- Knowing its limitations
- Applying it correctly
- Standing behind the result
And that last point matters.
We even discussed alternative products in the market that manufacturers themselves won’t guarantee when applied to full roofs. That tells you everything you need to know about confidence in a system.
In my own commercial gutter repair video – the one that partly sparked this invitation – I was using materials I believed were appropriate at the time. Jeff’s challenge to me was clear: if you’re going to do a job, do it with something you can truly stand behind.
That’s a fair point.
When you’re working at height using specialist access equipment like a spider lift, the kind I use daily for high-level works and through my cherry picker hire service – you don’t want to revisit a job because the product failed.
Access, labour, time… it all adds up.
Do it properly once.
Are Standards Getting Better… or Worse?
One question I asked Geoff was whether standards in roofing have improved over the past 40 years.
His answer?
“Far worse.”
He spoke about declining product quality, complaints from roofers, and the feeling that large corporations increasingly dictate pricing and product choice, while smaller manufacturers struggle to have a voice.
Now, everyone will form their own opinion on that. But what struck me wasn’t just the criticism, it was the passion behind it.
There’s a genuine desire to:
- Improve product integrity
- Increase transparency
- Raise trade standards
- Give experienced roofers a seat at the table
Whether that mission succeeds long-term remains to be seen.
But I can respect anyone who’s willing to put their reputation on the line to try.
If you want to hear the unfiltered conversations and make your own judgement, I’d strongly recommend watching the full video. There’s context and tone in there that’s hard to capture in writing.
What I Took Away From Dublin
When I first agreed to go, I wasn’t sure what I was stepping into.
By the end of it, I saw:
- A group of roofers who care deeply about standards
- A push for greater accountability in materials
- A belief that tradespeople should have more influence
- And a genuine attempt to improve things from within
Was there an ulterior motive in inviting me?
Maybe curiosity made me wonder that at first.
But after being there, filming it all, and listening properly – the consistent thread was about doing things better.
That’s something I can get behind.
In my own work – whether it’s solving tricky access issues, tackling long-standing leaks, or carrying out specialist high-level repairs – I try to apply the same principle:
Do it properly. Stand behind it. Improve where you can.
Your Turn
What do you think?
Are standards improving in roofing… or slipping?
Have you experienced product failures that shouldn’t have happened?
Drop a comment on the video and let me know your thoughts. I’m genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives.
And if you enjoy this kind of behind-the-scenes industry insight along with real-world roofing jobs and high-access work make sure you follow me online and subscribe to the channel.
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My workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear, and all of the clothing I’m wearing in the video can be purchased on their website: Workwear Clothing Supplier | Protective Safety Clothes
About the Author
Danny Iwanejko is the editor and curator behind Roof Tops and Pit Stops, documenting real-world high-access roofing and chimney work across Nottinghamshire and beyond, alongside the lessons learned from running a growing trade business.
