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Roofing How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our roofing step-by-step tips & ideas.

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Read This Before You Redo Your Roof

Four out of five homeowners opt for asphalt shingles—here’s the lowdown on choosing the right ones for your own roof.
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How to Install Shingles on a Shed

In this DIY Smarts project, general contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner the proper way to reshingle an old shed’s roof.
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Common Roof Problems and How to Fix Them

Staying on top of these common issues will keep the water outside, where it belongs.
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How to Patch a Roof Leak

The hard part about patching a leak in your roof is finding the leak itself. Once you’ve accomplished that, repairs are often relatively simple.
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How to Install Drip Edge and Step Flashing

In this video, General Contractor Tom Silva teaches three apprentices from our GenNEXT program his method for roofing a section of the house that will receive significant snow loads.
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Getting Algae Off My Roof

Roof algae looks unsightly and can cause severe damage. Read more about how to spot, treat, and prevent it from the This Old House experts.
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How to Clean and Prevent a Mossy Roof

Tom Silva helps a homeowner remove moss from his roof and prevent it from growing back
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How to Build a Copper Cupola Roof

Jason Senior of J&R Senior Sheetmetal Inc. illustrates how he forms copper panels for a standing seam roof
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Testing Drip Edge Installations on Roofing

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates the importance of a properly installed drip edge
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How to Shingle a Roof

A step-by-step guide showing you how to secure shingles to a roof from start to finish.
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How to Treat and Prevent Ice Dams

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams
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How to Install Ice-Melting Roof Cables

Master electrician for Ask This Old House Scott Caron helps a homeowner install heat cables on his roof to stop ice dams
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Antique Home Decor: 20 Easy Ideas

These modern versions of old world home accents give the same look without the wait (or cost).
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How to Install Solar Panels

Renewable-energy expert Ross Trethewey demonstrates how photovoltaic solar panels work and the proper way to install them on a roof
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How to Install a Copper Roof

This Old House experts install a standing-seam copper roof on a small addition
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How to Patch a Leaking Rubber Roof

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva repairs a leaking flat roof with a new, long-lasting patch
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How to Prevent Ice Dams

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to super-insulate an attic
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How to Fix a Leaking Rooftop Vent Pipe

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to create a watertight seal around a vent pipe.
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How to Get Rid of Ice Dams

Icicles may be pretty but they can tear off gutters, loosen shingles, and cause water to back up into your house. Learn these fast fixes for ice dam removal, long term repair, and prevention tips.
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12 Fall Fix-Ups That Pay You Back

Save yourself thousands in future repair, maintenance, and energy costs by not leaving these minor problems to get out of hand
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Preventing Roof Moss with Zinc Strips

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares tips for keeping a roof free of moss and mold
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How to Make New Look Old

The homeowners, designers, and architect made mostly new construction on this 1830s farmhouse rehab look as if it had been there for nearly a century. Here's how
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Roof Soffit Repair: Advice From a Pro

Need a soffit replacement? Here are pro-approved steps on how to rebuild your water-damaged roof edge, fascia included.
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How to Reshingle a Roof

In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to replace an asphalt-shingle roof
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How to Remove Roof Moss

In this how-to video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares tips for keeping a roof free of moss and mold
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Emergency Roof Protection

What to do in the event your roof gets gored
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From the Ground Up: Roofing and Siding

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how he installs roofing and siding to keep a house buttoned up and dry.
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Some Commonsense Rules for Maintaining a Flat Roof

Flat roofs demand more attention than pitched roofs, but depending on your situation, flat might be the better bet.
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Wright House, Wrong Roof

High-tech solutions for the architect's notoriously leaky design at Wingspread
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How to Fix Damaged Roof Shingles

We share step-by-step instructions for the three most common asphalt-shingle repairs.
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Quick Ice Dam Cure

A temporary solution is better than none
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Leakproof Flashing

Surefire ways to keep water from getting in around your chimney
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How to Install a Drip Edge on Your Roof

Learn more about protecting your fascia with a sheet-metal or plastic drip edge from the This Old House experts.