Doug put a new roof on his colonial last spring. He wanted to update the look of his home and increase its resale value. He chose the color and style that matched his taste. Doug knew that roof shingles serve a purpose other than to complement a building’s architecture. They, more importantly, control the majority of the roof water by means of shedding water down their overlapping courses and into a gutter, or off the edge of a roof overhang. However, Doug did not know …

That day has finally come. You’ve dreaded it, but you knew eventually you’d have to deal with it: your roof has a leak. If you’re lucky, you might only have a small stain on the ceiling that needs to be repaired. If you’re unlucky or if you procrastinate, much worse can happen. Simple leaks can escalate into damage to the framing and sheathing that supports your home. Water can invade your living space and precious heirlooms can be destroyed. Even worse is the pain and …

As a homeowner, you are not legally permitted to perform your own renovation work, with the exception of the electrical, but it is strongly recommended amateurs not do this as disastrous results can occur.