Tempe neighborhood
Roofing services in Tomlinson Estates, Tempe, Arizona
Tomlinson Estates is a 66-house historic district in Tempe along Hall and Lemon streets, just north of Apache Boulevard, built from 1950 to 1953. Its concrete block Ranch homes have low-pitched hipped and gabled asphalt shingle roofs, so shingle replacement, flashing and attic ventilation are the main roofing issues on these 70-plus-year-old houses.
About Tomlinson Estates
Tomlinson Estates is a compact postwar neighborhood along East Hall Street and East Lemon Street in Tempe, north of Apache Boulevard, east of Dorsey Lane, south of Don Carlos Avenue and west of Una Avenue. Hugh Evans developed it, and D.D. Castleberry's Castleberry Construction Company built the homes, most in 1950 and 1951, with the last lots on Lemon Street finished in 1952 and 1953.
The historic district has 66 houses: two-bedroom Early or Transitional Ranch homes, classic Ranch homes and a few California Ranch designs. Walls are mostly concrete block, and the roofs are side-gabled or hipped with asphalt shingle. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
Roofing considerations for Tomlinson Estates homes
- Low-pitched hipped roofs. Early Ranch houses here have shallow hip roofs that shed water slowly, so underlayment and shingle installation must be right.
- Original decking. After 70-plus years, roof decking may need spot replacement when old shingles come off.
- Ventilation. Many homes of this era have limited attic ventilation, which shortens shingle life in Arizona heat. A re-roof is the time to improve it.
- Additions and patio covers. Later flat or low-slope additions need proper tie-ins to the original roof.
- Historic character. Keeping the low profile and shingle look helps preserve the district's contributing homes.
How Arizona weather affects roofs in Tomlinson Estates
- Extreme heat and UV. Summer roof surfaces get far hotter than the air. Years of heat and UV dry out tile underlayment, age shingles and break down roof coatings.
- Monsoon storms. Arizona's monsoon season runs June 15 to September 30. Sudden wind gusts lift tiles and shingles, and short, heavy downpours find any weak spot in flashing or underlayment.
- Dust storms and debris. Haboobs and wind-blown debris fill valleys, gutters and flat-roof drains, which can back water up under roofing.
- Winter rain. Slow, steady winter rains expose small leaks that summer storms started.
Most roof trouble in the Valley starts small. A spring and fall inspection catches it early. See our monsoon roof tips for a checklist.
Roofing services for Tomlinson Estates
We handle roof leak repairs, asphalt shingle re-roofs, decking and flashing repairs, roof inspections and coatings for flat additions on Tomlinson Estates homes.
Roofing services in Tomlinson Estates
Tomlinson Estates roofing questions
Who provides roof repairs in Tomlinson Estates, Tempe?
Payne Roofing repairs and replaces roofs in Tomlinson Estates and throughout Tempe. We are a family-owned roofer based in Gilbert, serving Arizona since 1984 and licensed under ROC #138549 and #194202. We work on shingle and low-slope roofs on older homes. Call 480-988-9250 for a free estimate.
What roofs do Tomlinson Estates homes have?
Asphalt shingle over side-gabled or low-pitched hipped roofs, according to the district's National Register documentation. Some homes also have later flat or low-slope additions. Keeping shingle on the main roof matches the original design and works well on these shallow pitches when installed correctly.
Should I improve attic ventilation when I re-roof?
It is often worth it. Homes built in the early 1950s were not designed with today's ventilation standards, and a hot attic shortens shingle life and raises cooling costs. A re-roof is the easiest time to add or improve vents. We check the attic during the estimate and recommend what fits the house.
Will you find hidden damage on a 70-year-old roof?
Sometimes. Once old shingles are removed, the decking underneath can show rot or soft spots from past leaks. We photograph anything we find and explain the repair before proceeding, so you are not surprised. Most homes need only spot repairs, but it depends on the roof's history.
How can I tell if my shingle roof needs replacing?
Look from the ground for curling, cracked or missing shingles, bare patches and granules in gutters, and check inside for ceiling stains. Shingle roofs typically last about 20 to 30 years in the Arizona sun. If yours is in that range or showing these signs, an inspection will tell you how much life is left.
Talk to a roofer who knows Arizona roofs.
Call for a free estimate. Open Monday through Friday 7–5 and Saturday 8–2.