John R Novak Home Improvements Co FAQs

When faced with a roof leak, find out about the remaining useful life of the roof. Then you can better determine whether the repair cost is justifiable in light of the future replacement cost. A $2,000 repair may not be best if a $10,000 replacement is needed within a year. 

The roof’s age is another factor. Most roofs have a life span of 20 to 30 years. 

A roof won't just stop being effective, it will lose granules and suffer from years in weather conditions that will impact its ability to protect you and your home.

You know your roof is reaching the end of its life but question replacing it until there is a problem that has to be dealt with. 

Waiting for a leak to replace your roof is one of the biggest and most costly mistakes homeowners make. They pay no mind to an aging roof until they see a leak from the inside.

By the time water damage is visible from inside the home, there may already be extensive rot and mildew between the ceiling and roof.

Your roof installer should be a trained, certified roofer. Often warranties are voided due to inexperienced installation processes. Many “handyman” companies are not insured, do not have valid business licenses, and are inexperienced in new roof installation procedures. 

Voiding the warranty, opening yourself up to potential problems in the near future and, worst of all, creating a safety hazard that you, the homeowner, are responsible for if someone uninsured gets hurt on your property are just a few of the reasons to avoid using installers who don't have the credentials invested in their business. 

Be aware of low-price contractors who are not from your area, especially after a storm strikes.

1. Think your leak is coming from roof damage? Grab a flashlight and head to the attic. Check for light coming in from above. Shine the flashlight in the corners to check for mold or wet patches.
2. Look up! Take a look at your roof from far enough away to get a good view of the overall roof structure. Do you see missing shingles, buckling, or sagging areas? Be more aware after a wind, rain, or hailstorm of the potential for unseen damage.
3. Some roof shingles nearing the end of their effective life span will begin to lose their granular coating. When the gutters are collecting excess granule deposits, it is a sign that the end is near. The lack of sufficient granules on asphalt shingles also shows in the shingles curling and lifting from the wooden foundation of the roof.

Those black streaks are actually algae. Airborne and spread through wind and rain, these streaks don't harm your roof structure unless they are excessive and compromise the tiles themselves.

We use and recommend Atlas Shingles. Endorsed by celebrities like Mike Holmes, Atlas Shingles have a component that prevents this unsightly black algae staining.

Asphalt shingles have long been the go-to standard in residential roofing. Based on their affordability, easy installation, and wide availability, their popularity hardly comes as a surprise. 

Although they used to be considered plain-Jane, these days asphalt shingles can be made to mimic the look of slate, wood shakes, or tile.

Fiberglass shingles are made of a woven fiberglass base mat covered with a waterproof asphalt coating and topped with ceramic granules that shield the product from harmful UV rays. They are available in a full range of styles and colors to complement any architectural style.

Three-tab shingles are flat, and they have a single tab shape and size. They are uniform, which gives them a flat look. Architectural shingles are also referred to as laminated or dimensional shingles. Each shingle appears more dimensional because its multiple layers of materials adhere to the base.

Manufacturers’ warranties generally guarantee a life span of 15 to 30 years, depending on factors like climate and roof pitch. An architectural shingle roof can offer warranties of up to 35 years.

The standard roof season pertains to the climate in a specific geographic region. 

Roofs in the Northeast and Canada may be affected more by snow or inclement weather. 

Here in the Lehigh Valley, hail and wind damage also affect the life of a roof. 

For established roofing companies, the season really doesn't matter. Roofers, for the most part, are quite adaptable to weather changes.

However, it’s possible to install a new roof as long as the temperatures are above freezing and the chance of wind and rain is low. In spring, two to three days of 45- to 50-degree weather with sunny skies would be good for a roof installation. Shingles won’t seal unless they warm to an ambient temperature near 70 degrees. That doesn’t mean it needs to be 70, because solar radiance will heat the shingles even if temperatures are in the 40s.

When you have a new roof installed, the materials are warrantied by the manufacturer of the shingles. The quality of the shingles and the brand of the products will affect your warranty terms. 

Workmanship warranties also vary and can be important when addressing installation issues that may not be apparent when the roof is initially completed. 

We offer a 25-year workmanship warranty on a new roof installation – the longest workmanship warranty in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

This extra money goes into my new roof fund – said NO ONE EVER! A new roof is a big investment. Dealing with repeated roof leaks and interior damage is a big headache. As a homeowner, you want to preserve your property values and enhance your curb appeal. 

Often, when a roof structure is compromised by storm damage or other “acts of God,” your homeowner’s insurance policy may pay for your new roof. Policies vary, so call your insurance agent for more details.

It is a good idea to have photos of your roof undamaged and time-stamped to support insurance claims. Photos after damage are also critical validation of a claim. 

Expect an insurance adjuster to work with your roofer to establish an acceptable claim.

If the roof is old and deteriorated, the other option is home improvement financing.