Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Velux has developed a No Leak Skylight which offers three layers of protection that comes with a 10-year installation warranty and a 20-year guarantee on the glass. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Faux slate and cedar shake roofing materials from DaVinci Roofscapes are manufactured from a polymer material that is impact resistant, wind resistant, fire resistant, and comes with a 50 year warranty. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

From roofing and siding to windows and doors, more and more of the products used in your home are not what they appear, and that may be a good thing. We examine a number of products made from synthetic materials that often perform better and cost less than the natural materials they replace. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in the Sunbelt or some other balmy region, chances are you’ve never heard of—or at least experienced—ice dams. I, on the other hand, live in New England, so every winter ice dams are as common—and as welcoming—as frostbite and sub-zero temperatures. Here’s how to prevent damage to your home. Read in full.

Don’t you just love it when you get an unexpected surprise? Unless, of course, it’s like the surprise I got this weekend. It was one of those cold, gray, dull, rainy weekends that make you want to just stay in bed. I looked over and water was dripping out of the wall cabinets. Somewhere, somehow the roof was leaking. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

The other night, I was getting dressed to go out for the evening when I heard the most ominous sound a homeowner can hear: Drip . . . Drip. To my chagrin, a rivulet of water was making its way down the bathroom wall and dripping off the chair rail. Turns out, there was not one but SIX leaks, scattered here and there around the attic! Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Tim asks, “ Our home is 10 years old and the asphalt roof shingles are starting to stain badly on the north exposure. Is there something that we can use to clean off the staining and treat the shingles to prevent further staining?”

Your stains are probably caused by the airborne spores of a blue-green algae known as Gloeocapsa Magma, which is often mistaken for mold or mildew. While doing little harm to your shingles, the black streaks caused by the algae are unsightly. Read on to find out how to remove them. Read in full.

It’s important to keep your gutters and downspouts clean to prevent them from clogging. Elbows in downspouts are the worst culprits, and the flexible metal cable of a plumber’s snake is the best way to clean them out. Once the clog is clear, insert a garden hose in the downspout and turn on the water to flush out any debris. Watch this video to learn more. Watch this video.

From natural materials like slate and wood to manmade products such as asphalt, sheet metal, and plastic polymers; there are more types and styles of roofing to choose from today than ever before. While each has its advantages and shortcomings, they all can add a distinctive design element to your home. So which one is right for you? Read in full.

Lin asks, “I want to install attic vent fans in my roof. Is there a formula on how many you need and the size?“

Attic exhaust vent fans can reduce your air conditioning bill in the summer while preventing condensation and ice dams from forming during the winter. They are available as hardwired or solar powered models, and fit over a hole cut in your roof or mount on the inside of a gable vent. Read on to find out how to select the correct size attic vent fan for your home. Read in full.