Roofing lesson from our forefathers
Q. I am putting new shakes on my roof. The carpenter said he would remove the old shingles but said it is OK to put the new ones directly on the roof. Is this OK?
JOHN LEONARD, Hingham
A. We never seem to give the Colonials the respect they deserve. They knew that wood shingles must breathe, so they put the shingles on spaced sheathing. Spaced sheathing is large roof boards separated by 6 inches or so of space.
Today wise shinglers use a breather blanket, a black plastic blanket that allows air to circulate under the shingles. Your carpenter should, too.
Q. I have two sumps in my basement, which takes care of two-thirds of the floor, preventing flooding on the uneven floor. The remainder of the floor floods. Would a third sump pump keep water off that area?
GEORGE, Framingham
A. Yes. I love questions that need only one word. But the handyman cannot resist elaboration, and says that the extra pump will probably work; it is worth a try.
The Globe Handyman on Call also appears in the Sunday Real Estate Section. Peter Hotton is available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton also chats on line about house matters 2-3 p.m. Thursdays. To participate, go to Boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@globe.com 