Guide archive

Roofing & Exterior guides

Browse 180 homeowner guides by category — repair steps, realistic costs, and honest advice on when a job is worth calling a pro.

Did Wind Damage Your Roof? Find Out Before It's Too Late
Troubleshooting
roofing

Did Wind Damage Your Roof? Find Out Before It's Too Late

High winds can inflict serious, yet subtle, damage to your roof. Learn to spot the hidden signs of wind damage from the safety of the ground before your window to file an insurance claim closes forever.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Missing Shingles? The Real Trouble Is Under Your Roof
Troubleshooting
roofing

Missing Shingles? The Real Trouble Is Under Your Roof

After a storm, missing shingles seem like a simple fix. But the high winds that tore them off likely broke the seals on surrounding shingles and ripped the underlayment, creating a hidden path for water to rot your roof deck from below.

9 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Is Your Roof Hiding Hail Damage From You?
Troubleshooting
roofing

Is Your Roof Hiding Hail Damage From You?

Hail damage to asphalt shingles is often invisible from the ground. Learn to identify the subtle signs of bruising, granule loss, and fractures before they lead to major leaks.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Your Roof is Leaking. Now What?
Troubleshooting
roofing

Your Roof is Leaking. Now What?

A leaking roof after a storm is a homeowner's nightmare. Learn how to safely install a temporary roof tarp to prevent further water damage inside your home while you wait for a professional roofer.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner applying clear wood sealer to a clean, prepared wooden deck with a roller, a bucket of sealer nearby.
DIY Guide
roofing

The 3 Hidden Mistakes That Make Your Deck Sealer Fail (And How to Fix Them)

Resealing your wood deck protects it from weather and extends its life. Learn how to avoid common mistakes for a long-lasting finish and vibrant deck.

12 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
Close-up of a vinyl siding panel showing a subtle, starburst-shaped crack from hail damage.
DIY Guide
roofing

The Invisible Hail Damage Mistake Most Homeowners Make (And How to Spot It)

Discover how to accurately assess hail damage on your home's siding, understand its hidden impacts, and perform essential repairs to protect your investment.

12 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
Overflowing K-style gutter during a heavy rainstorm with water cascading over the edges, highlighting a home repair problem.
Maintenance
roofing

The 3 Hidden Reasons Your Gutters Fail in Heavy Rain (It’s Not Just Leaves)

Overflowing gutters during heavy rain often stem from a few common, yet overlooked, issues beyond simple leaf clogs, leading to potential significant home damage.

13 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Close-up of light grey vinyl siding showing multiple crescent-shaped cracks and starburst patterns from hail damage.
Call a Pro
roofing

Is That Hail Damage to Your Siding—Or Something Worse? (And How to Know For Sure)

Distinguishing hail damage from other siding issues is crucial for proper repair and insurance claims. Learn how to identify hail damage and when to call a pro.

12 min fixCall a Pro
Read Guide
Close-up of a residential asphalt shingle roof with a missing shingle, revealing the dark underlayment after a storm.
Maintenance
roofing

The One Shingle Mistake That Creates Roof Leaks (And How to Fix It Fast)

Missing roof shingles after a storm can quickly lead to extensive water damage if not addressed correctly. Learn how to safely inspect and replace them.

8 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Gutter overflowing with water and leaves during heavy rain cascading over the side of a modern home
Troubleshooting
roofing

The #1 Gutter Mistake That Causes Overflow (And How to Fix It in 20 Minutes)

Overflowing gutters during heavy rain are usually caused by a readily fixable clog, often due to a common cleaning mistake.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Missing dark gray asphalt shingles revealing lighter underlayment after a wind storm.
Maintenance
roofing

The Post-Storm Mystery: Where Did Your Shingles Go? (And the $50 Fix)

High winds can rip shingles clean off your roof, leaving your home vulnerable to leaks; learn how to safely assess and repair the damage yourself.

13 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Gutter overflowing dramatically with clean water during a heavy rainstorm, cascading over the edge
Call a Pro
roofing

The #1 Gutter Overflow Culprit in Heavy Rain (It’s Not Just Clogs)

Discover why your gutters overflow during heavy rain, often due to an overlooked issue beyond simple clogs, and how to fix it.

12 min fixCall a Pro
Read Guide
Close-up of a slightly warped cedar deck board on a sunny day, showing a common cupping issue with tools nearby.
Call a Pro
roofing

The #1 Mistake That Makes Deck Boards Warp (And the Easy Fix)

Discover the most common reason deck boards warp and how a simple, proactive fix can restore your deck's appearance and longevity.

8 min fixCall a Pro
Read Guide
Homeowner repairing missing asphalt shingles on a roof after a storm, with new shingle being slid into place.
Troubleshooting
roofing

The One Mistake Homeowners Make When Shingles Blow Off (And How to Fix It Fast)

When shingles blow off your roof after a storm, the biggest mistake is waiting; quick, decisive action can prevent far more expensive damage.

15 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A homeowner carefully sealing a clean, prepped wooden deck with a roller for even application.
DIY Guide
roofing

The #1 Mistake Homeowners Make When Sealing a Deck (and How to Fix It)

Prevent costly damage and extend your deck's life by avoiding common sealing errors and following a simple, effective resealing process.

13 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
Close-up of a residential roof with missing asphalt shingles revealing damaged underlayment after a storm.
Call a Pro
roofing

Wind Tore Off Your Shingles? The 7 Critical Steps Most Homeowners Miss

Discover the essential steps to take when roof shingles go missing after a storm, from immediate safety checks to temporary repairs and insurance claims.

10 min fixCall a Pro
Read Guide
Homeowner repairing a warped deck board with a drill and deck screws
Troubleshooting
roofing

The 3 Hidden Reasons Your Deck Boards Warp (and the Easy Fixes)

Deck board warping can ruin your outdoor space, but understanding the root causes and applying simple fixes can restore your deck's beauty.

12 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Temporary tarp visible on a damaged asphalt shingle roof with missing shingles after a storm, protecting exposed roof deck.
Troubleshooting
roofing

The One Overlooked Mistake After Storm Damage: Finding Missing Roof Shingles Fast

Storms can rip off roof shingles, exposing your home to further damage. Learning how to safely assess and temporarily patch your roof is crucial to prevent costly interior repairs.

13 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner inspecting a slightly warped wooden deck board on a sunny day.
Troubleshooting
roofing

The #1 Mistake That Warps Deck Boards (And How to Fix It for Good)

Prevent and repair warped deck boards by understanding the underlying causes and implementing effective, long-term solutions.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner applying wood sealant to a deck with a roller
Troubleshooting
roofing

The $5 Secret to Doubling Your Deck's Lifespan (Most Homeowners Miss This)

Learn the simple, affordable secret to proper deck resealing that can significantly extend its life and protect it from the elements, preventing costly future repairs.

11 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Homeowner repairing a roof, carefully sliding a new asphalt shingle into place after storm damage.
DIY Guide
roofing

The #1 Mistake Homeowners Make After Finding Missing Shingles (And How to Fix It Right)

Discover the crucial steps to take after a storm rips shingles from your roof, ensuring a proper, lasting repair and preventing costly future damage.

12 min fixIntermediate
Read Guide
Large icicles hanging from the gutters of a home in winter, indicating the presence of a dangerous ice dam on the roof.
Troubleshooting
roofing

Those Gutter Icicles Are a Costly Warning Sign

Discover why the icicles on your gutters are a flashing red light for ice dams, a destructive problem that can lead to costly water damage inside your home.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
Close-up of hail damage on a gray asphalt roof shingle, showing a dark, circular bruise where granules have been knocked off.
Troubleshooting
roofing

5 Signs Hail Secretly Damaged Your Roof (And How to Act Fast)

Learn to identify the subtle signs of hail impact on asphalt shingles, gutters, and flashing, so you can file an insurance claim before the deadline passes.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide
A brownish, circular water stain on a textured white ceiling, surrounding a white square bathroom ventilation fan.
Troubleshooting
roofing

That Brown Stain Above Your Shower Isn't a Roof Leak

Discover why that ugly brown stain on the ceiling below your attic bathroom vent is more likely caused by condensation from your shower than an expensive roof leak.

10 min fixBeginner
Read Guide