Podcast Episode 82 — Brian’s Roof Question
Plus listener questions on wind-driven moisture, large-format tile, air-sealed crawlspaces, and cased openings.
In this episode, show regulars Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid talk about Brian’s roof history, leading to a question about how to clean moss off a shady roof. Seems like there is a chemical-spray option (like an outdoor bleach) and there’s a physical-removal option. But not a pressure-washer option, since you do not want to blow the asphalt granules off the roof.
Listener Jason is building a screened-in porch in “buggy Maine.” He is wondering about the best way to make a subfloor for the project, and he’s worried about “wind-driven moisture,” using a favorite term of Rob’s (also found in Popular Science and Green Building Advisor). Here are a couple photos he sent us:
Listener Andy is building a house and has a question about his 6-ft. high sealed crawlspace. He does not want it to get moldy and nasty. Can he use a heat-pump water heater to also keep the space dry?
Listener Austin is remodeling a house. He has a question about cased openings. Here’s a photo of the two cased openings he has that are about 7 ft. wide and are 6 in. higher than a standard door:
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We've had great results with a product called Wet and Forget to get moss off our northern exposure roof. After spraying, the moss disappears over time so the Forget part of the name is very important. We had a 17-year-old, terribly mossy roof and the treatment cleared it up completely in about 9 months or so (we forgot to look). After several years, it is beginning to return so we'll just treat it again. Wet and Forget is even available at Lowe's now. We're equally pleased with another product of theirs--their weekly shower spray--it's the only cleaner our steam shower gets!
Hi. I also would like to seal my crawlspace. The floor of my crawlspace is not dirt it is concrete. Do I still need to lay the heavy duty mil plastic down? Thanks. Paul