Q: I have an unfinished space above our garage that we are converting into a flex space. It has a cathedral ceiling. We are in Houston, TX so I am concerned about the heat and humidity in the space. The west side of the space is sloping roof with soffit and gable vents along the entire length, so creating a baffle out of rigid foam is simple. We have knee walls with … [Read more...] about Best Approach to Hot-Climate Cathedral Ceiling
Roofing
How to Prevent Condensation in Cathedral Ceiling?
Q: I’m currently dealing with insulating a cathedral ceiling, which has become a major issue. I’ve been researching solutions but feel stuck in figuring out what’s the best way to go about dealing with the problem. I have a shed roof with 2:12 pitch, built with 2x8 roof joists. It’s a mobile home that’s 14x76, so the roof is just one continuous slope. I live in northern … [Read more...] about How to Prevent Condensation in Cathedral Ceiling?
How To Install Two-Ply Roof Underlayment?
Q: What is the correct way to install a two-ply roofing underlayment? I was quoted a price on two-layered underlayment for my roof (Fontana G40 underlayment). I asked how much overlap he uses in his installs and he answered 2-4 inches. I was very confused as I have read your information and then confirmed with the TRI Installation Guide (page 17) that there should be 18-19 … [Read more...] about How To Install Two-Ply Roof Underlayment?
Reuse or Replace Concrete Tiles When Reroofing ?
Q: Our original concrete tile roof, a little east of San Diego, is around 30+ years old with a roof pitch of about 6 in 12. My guess is that the underlayment should probably be replaced before adding solar panels. The tiles are in great shape with no cracks anywhere. The only problem is on the south end of the house where the fascia had some termites, so I cut off about a … [Read more...] about Reuse or Replace Concrete Tiles When Reroofing ?
Peel-and-Stick vs. Hot Mop For Florida Roof Underlayment
Q: I have received proposals for re-roof of my house however each proposal calls for different underlayments with significant price differences. I live in Southeast Florida. I would appreciate guidance as to what makes the most sense. Thank you for your input; it is greatly appreciated! Proposal 1: - Install on Roof Deck Area: 2.1 One layer of 30# ASTM D-226 asphalt … [Read more...] about Peel-and-Stick vs. Hot Mop For Florida Roof Underlayment
What Caused Water Stains on Ceiling?
Q: How do I identify the source of a water stain on the ceiling? I’m not sure if a leak is from the bathroom directly above or from something else. Also, once identified, how do I go about fixing the leak? – A.G. A: Finding the source of a leak in a ceiling often involves a bit of detective work. Like a detective, you start with the most likely suspect. If you can rule out … [Read more...] about What Caused Water Stains on Ceiling?
Best Low-Slope Roofing Option
Q: What is the best option for replacing a low-slope roof over an addition? We have a low-slope shed roof that was repaired with roll roofing as an emergency patch in 2014. We had ice damage which forced the roof repair, but because it was in the winter, only the lower half of the 23×12' area was repaired. The top half of the addition roof has asphalt shingles where it … [Read more...] about Best Low-Slope Roofing Option
Best Roofing for the Pacific Northwest
Jean writes: I have a concrete tile roof and live in the Pacific Northwest where we have a lot of moss on our roofs. Over the years, the moss removal folk have broken many of my concrete tiles and we no longer can get replacements. The roof is 30 years old, and I am wondering if I should just remove it and get a composite or asphalt shingle roof. Would removing the extra … [Read more...] about Best Roofing for the Pacific Northwest