View our frequently asked questions
     
 



More Questions and Answers:

Q: Do you do free estimates?
A: Yes, we do free estimates.

Q: Do you do metal roofing?
A: Yes, new and re-roof.

Q: How long do you guarantee your work?
A: 5 years for a re-roof, which is above industry standard.

Q: How long does it take from start to finish on a new roof?
A: Depends on the size, but an average roof takes 3-5 days.

Q: How much do you charge for cleanup?
A: No, It's included in the roofing job.

Q: What causes a roof to wear out?
A: Several factors combine to affect roof deterioration. These may include ultraviolet radiation from the sun, temperature extremes, exposure to wind and rain, and foot traffic on the roof. Darker color shingles may have shorter service life than shingles with a light color.

Q: Can composition shingles be repaired?
A: Yes. If damage is minor, a roof contractor can remove individual shingles and replace them with new shingles.

Q: What size hail is damaging to roofing?
A: This depends on several variables - shape, hardness and density of hail, wind speed, age and type of roof. In general, pea and marble size hail should not damage composition roofing in good condition, unless extreme winds are present.

Q: You noticed granules from your composition roof in your gutter and your driveway, is this normal?
A: Yes. With composition roofing, granular loss is part of the normal weathering process. Small hail impacting a roof often displaces some of the granules as does rain, wind and foot traffic.

Q: You noticed lighter colored "splatter" marks on your roof after a hailstorm, is this damage?
A: No. The "splatter" marks that you see are normal after a hailstorm. Your roof has darkened over time since it's installation as a result of algae and oxidation. When the hailstones contact to the roof, the algae and oxidation are removed, leaving a light colored mark. In time, these marks will fade as algae grow and oxidation continues on your roof.

Q: Are all homes in a neighborhood affected the same way by hail?
A: No. The number, size and hardness of hailstones can vary tremendously within a small locality. Other factors include velocity and direction of the wind, roof pitch, age and condition. Each roof is different.

Inspection Related Questions:
-How do I know when it is time to re-roof?
-How frequently should I inspect my roof?
-What is the best method to inspect my roof? -How do I spot potential trouble?

General Questions:
-What Should I Look For in A New Roof?

Q: How do I Know When it is Time to Re-roof?
A: If potential trouble is spotted by performing an examination of your roof, you should consult a roofing contractor in your area in order to assist you in determining if a repair is in order, or if the roof should be replaced.

Q: How Frequently Should I Inspect my Roof? A: Spotting potential problems before they grow into big ones, can save you A lot of money. Most roofing experts agree that you should check your roof for signs of ware/damage at least 2 times per year:
1) In the fall, just before winter begins.
2) Just before the spring season.

Q: What is the best method to inspect my roof?
A: You'll find you can safely identify some trouble spots from the ground using binoculars, spotting scope, or your camera's telephoto lens. If potential trouble spots are identified, you should alert a roofing contractor, like Tom Tanenbaum Roofing, to have your roof professionally, inspected.

How to Spot Potential Trouble:
Generally the first sign of roof trouble is a leak. You may notice stains or dampness. More obvious signs of trouble will be raised or broken shingles, a loss of mineral granules in the shingles or dark looking spots in the sheathing. First, standing back away from the house, look at the lines of the ridge and rafters. If they appear to sag, it may indicate structural problems. Next, look at the roof surface for signs of wear, checking the shingles for warping, cupping, looseness or rot. Scan the roof for any shingles that may have been lifted by the wind or are missing altogether. Bumps can indicate that the roofing nails below have become loose. On asphalt roofs, you'll want to look for bald spots where the mineral granules have worn away. With wood shingles, check for curled, broken, and split shingles and for spots where nails have become loose or rusted. With tile or slate, individual tiles can chip and break and require replacement. Additionally, check for valleys and flashings around the chimney and vents. Check for broken seals along the flashing's edges and for rust spots in the metal.

Q: What Should I Look For In A New Roof?
A: Re-roofing your home is an important decision. It is a major investment and your new roof will be on your home for many years to come. Selecting the right roofing material can be a challenging process. The experts at Tom Tanenbaum Roofing can help you with information that you will need to make an educated decision. Selecting the right roofing material is the first decision to be made. Key points to consider when you choose the roofing products are style, color, performance and warranty protection.

Frequently Asked Questions


Below are some of our most frequently asked questions about our services. If you have a question that's not answered here. Send us an email with your question and we'll gladly return an answer.

Q How long will a 25 year 3-tab (strip shingle) shingle last?
A 25-year 3-tab shingles typically last 10 to 12 years.
Q How long will a 30-year architectural style shingle last?
A 30 year architectural style shingles typically last 12 to 15 years.
Q How long will a 40 or 50-year shingle last?
A The difference between the 30 and 40 & 50 year shingles is the amount of asphalt; the 40 & 50 year shingles have more asphalt and a thicker fiberglass mat. The forty-year will typically last 15 to 20 years and the 50-year shingles will typically last 20 to 27 years.
Q Why would someone pay more for the 40 or 50-year shingles?
A We have found that some homes warrant a thicker and fuller shingle. The thicker shingles add more dimension to the roof and gives the appearance of 3-dimensional shingles.
Q How long will a Modified Bitumen Single Ply (rolled roofing) last?
A The manufacturer offers a 12-year warranty. This system typically lasts 10 to 14 years. This is a great roofing system but is not recommended for all roofs. Areas of ponding water degrade prematurley.
Q What is ponding water?
A Ponding water is when a significant amount of water is present in an area for for than 48 hours.
Q How long will a 5-ply (base sheet and three plies of fiberglass felt) tar & gravel or built-up roofing system last?
A The typical life span of tar & gravel or built-up roofing system is 16 to 20 years. The longest lasting system for the money and is not impacted by areas on water that sit over 48 hours.
Q What is roof maintenance?
A

1. Cleaning your gutters and any debris on the roof as soon as possible.

2. Yearly visual inspections; if something does not look right, it most likely is not. Call a licensed/ professional roofing contractor for an inspection.

Q How many bids-proposals should you get when you are replacing your roof?
A You should get three bids/proposals. Three will give you a fair idea of the cost and also a chance to interact with three contractors.
Q Should you choose the lowest bid/proposal?
A No never go with the lowest. The contractor with the lowest bid usually missed something and will ask for more money during the job or the contractor is using substandard materials.
Q What are the consumer’s responsibilities when choosing a contractor?
A

1. Check references.

2. Make sure the contractor has Worker’s Compensation and Liability insurance in place.

3. Ask if the contractor uses Sub-Contractors by calling the insurance carriers, if so we do not recommend using a contractor that does not use in-house employees. Sub-contractors are not covered by Workmans-Comp. insurance.

4. Check the suppliers the contractor uses to see if they pay their material bills, if a contractor does not pay your material bill the supplier will place a lien on you home even though you paid in full.

5. Request lien releases from the supplier and the contractor before payment in full.

6. Check to see if the contractor’s license if valid.

Q Should I give the contractor a down payment?
A

Yes but no more that 10%. If a contractor asks for more that 10% that contractor may have money problem.

Q Are all roofs different?
A

All roofs are different and you should ask as many questions as you can think of!

Q Should I look for the lowest priced roof for my home?
A

Remember you roof protects all the contents of your home. One should not take the cheapest price because you may pay less now but you will pay more in the future if the work and materials are not installed properly.

Q Is roofing over (two layers of roofing) a good idea?
A

We do not recommend this:

1. Your shingle roof will not last as long.

2. If you develop a leak it is very difficult to find and repair.

3. You will pay more in the future when it needs replacement (codes allows two layers only).

4. We find more decayed wood when there are two layers of roofing.

Q When buying a home should I trust the “Home-Inspector” to properly inspect my roof?
A

Not always. The home inpesctors typically do not know the indicators of roof failure or cannot give an experianced opinion. You would not want to replace a roof as soon as you move in. No one likes unexpected expenses (roof are expensive). We recommend you pay a Licensed/Professional Roofing contractor for an inspection. This may be an additional expense know, but at least you will have a professional opinion on one of the biggest expenses of home ownership.

 

------------------------------------------------------------