For this episode, the guys recorded the podcast a little later in the day than usual, because Justin just got back from the dentist, and he was a little under the influence of novocaine, as you can see in this video. Getting a crown at the dentist, it turns out, is a process that Justin compares to mortise and tenon carpentry. Brian and Matt indulge this metaphor for a little while, but then it is time for the real stuff.

Diving right into the listener questions, here’s one from Josh. He asks about using caulk as an air sealant. The guys talk about different options for sealants (like acoustical sealant) and air-sealing systems. Justin suggests Zip system on the outside, caulking of some kind as a back-up spot sealer, for example, around windows.  That leads to a discussion of air sealing. The guys are pretty passionate about that, debunking the “A House Needs To Breathe” mythology. Justin compares air sealing to novocaine — both obvious and essential advances! Brian responds, “Let’s move on.”

Listener David refers back to Episode 42 with a question about stucco. He wants to protect it from the elements, since he has no roof overhang. That leads to talk about stucco and the layers that go into making a stucco wall. Plus, why does stucco fail so much? The guys have opinions on that.

Plus, this episode includes our new segment …

Favorites From the FHB Vault: Favorite Old House Repairs

Matt has one from Issue 242: Invisible Repairs for a Hardwood Floor.
There’s a video series to go with that article: Project House Video Series: Wood-Floor Repair.

Brian’s favorite is a Mike Guertin article on Venting a Tricky Old Roof, from Issue 205.

Justin’s is from Issue 209, with a Replace a Rotten Lally Column, by Emanuel (“Manny”) Silva.

Overachiever Matt has a second favorite for this podcast. Retrofitting a Foundation. from Issue 217.

This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Benjamin Moore.

Everyone can paint. This is true. But not everyone can get the project done right. And Benjamin Moore knows that’s why you’re on the job. You’re more than a paintbrush and a ladder. Your client can buy those things at a hardware store, but they hired you for your skills and expertise. You know every paint job is different and that it takes more than one coat for the best finish. Benjamin Moore believes in doing things the right way. Because everyone can paint, but to do it right, it takes an expert contractor, it takes more than one coat, and it takes Benjamin Moore. Paint like no other.

We hope you will take advantage of a great offer for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. That link goes to finehomebuilding.com/podoffer.

The show is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected]. Also, be sure to follow Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Fine Homebuilding on Instagram — and “like” the magazine on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

Links related to this episode:

• Here’s a dentist installing a crown. No wait, it’s mortise and tenon construction. Basically the same thing, right?
• Stucco Woes — The Perfect Storm.
• Stucco – Best Practice Method using Delta Dry Stucco & Stone.
• Are Drainable Housewraps Enough?
• Fine Woodworking Live.
• All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
• #KeepCraftAlive tee-shirts support scholarships for building trades students. So go order some shirts at KeepCraftAlive.org.
• The direct link to the online store is here.