From the Workshop · 29 guides
Follow water, air, and heat through an Ontario home. Practical guides to roof repairs, siding, gutters, attic ventilation, and insulation.
Browse every guide ↓Water overhead? Identify the likely source before choosing a repair.
Overflow outside? Follow the water beyond the gutter.
Repair or replace? Look at condition before colour samples.
Adding attic insulation? Check the air path at the eaves first. Baffles, soffit openings, and air sealing have different jobs in an Ontario attic.
Read the postStaining where a lower roof ends against a wall may point to a missing or ineffective kickout. Learn what the detail does before repainting the siding.
Read the postA larger eavestrough can help, but roof area, outlets, downspouts, and the discharge route matter too. Compare complete drainage proposals.
Read the postBefore topping up attic insulation, identify recessed-light ratings, covers, and air-sealing requirements. A fixture that stays cool can still need a specific detail.
Read the postA gable accent can give a house character. Five unrelated accents can make it look like a sample board.
Weigh the optionsDark trim can sharpen a good window pattern. It can also underline the one window you hoped nobody would notice.
Weigh the optionsThat tiny charcoal square becomes a very large roof. Its blue undertone comes along for the ride.
Weigh the optionsThe downspout interrupts the nice new siding. Moving it is easy to draw; deciding where the water goes is the real work.
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The black house in the inspiration photo looks excellent. Your existing vinyl has not agreed to become that house.
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One raised nail can sound like a tiny job. Fifty can tell a different story. Count the pattern before buying the conclusion.
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A sweep removes combustible deposits. A WETT-certified professional evaluates the solid-fuel system and reports what was accessible. One visit may include both, but they are not the same job.
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If the trough is clean but rain still pours over the edge, stop cleaning it again. The place where it spills is the useful clue.
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One drip does not automatically condemn the skylight. First work out which side of the glass the water is on and what the weather was doing.
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Snow depth is only one clue. Wet snow, ice, rain, drifting, roof design, and visible distress matter more than a magic number on a ruler.
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Water in the attic does not automatically mean the roof failed. The weather, location, and pattern usually tell you which investigation should come first.
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One loose panel is not the same problem as an open wall. Secure the immediate risk, document the damage, and decide from the wall underneath.
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Winter does not make siding impossible. It makes the product instructions, dry substrate, careful handling, and weather plan impossible to bluff.
Read the postFibre cement is heavier and more detailed. Vinyl is lighter and more forgiving on budget. Neither rescues bad flashing, so start behind the siding.
Read the postMore roof vents are not automatically more ventilation. Give air a clear low intake, a clear high exit, and a well-sealed ceiling below.
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Clean after most leaves are down and before repeated freezing begins. Then test the downspouts, including the elbows where debris can remain hidden.
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More insulation can help, but only after leaks, dampness, air paths, and blocked ventilation are handled. Check the existing assembly before paying for a top-up.
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Active leaks, loose roofing, failed flashing, and visible sagging need prompt assessment before snow hides the damage.
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Yes, a roof can be replaced in cold weather. The real question is whether the crew, product, roof deck, forecast, and warranty all agree with the plan.
Read the postCheck which rebate path fits your heat pump, insulation, window, solar, or attic project before booking the work.
Read the postStay off the roof, document what you can safely see, and let evidence decide whether the next step is a repair, a claim, or simply a closer inspection.
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Understand the costs behind a roofing quote, including tear-off, flashing, deck repairs, access, and the chosen material system.
Read the postThe right roof is the material your house, budget, installer, and maintenance tolerance can all live with. Compare the installed system as well as the appearance.
Read the postCurling shingles, granules, stains, and a tired-looking gutter are reasons to inspect the roof. Here is how to sort routine wear from prompt inspection triggers.
Read the postAn ice dam is the roof's visible complaint, not usually the root cause. Trace the heat path through the attic, then fix the assembly in the right order.
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