because google wasn't clear to me, and the old man ain't around to ask anymore.
2 things:
I have moss growing on the shingles. Is this bad? What should I do about it, if anything?
One of the sliding glass goods 9double pane) has signs of moisture between the panes, which is new. Should I be looking into tearing apart the wall to find the issue? Or just replacing the door?
The seal on the double pane door is the culprit.
Is there moss on the entire roof...or just one side?
More specifically, the seal between the panes has failed. The moisture will eventually etch the glass and wreck the view. Usually the glass is replaceable but it's tempered so the price can get close to the price of a new door. Given that the other glass panel is probably not far from failing too, you may have found another project.
If you have cedar shingles, the moss is a bigger problem than if you have asphalt. If it's asphalt, you are probably close enough to the end of their useful life that it's not worth worrying about. Getting sun on the roof is really the only good way to prevent it.
^ hear them. i have had to replace three "replacement" windows with failed seals so far since i bought my new place. whatever you do, don't buy cheap windows...you only save money at the moment of purchase. I am in a real conundrum about what to do with all of my original old school (1910-ish) windows. pretty sure I am going to keep all of them that are solid, add storms, and maintain them.
as for the shingles, my guess is that being in CA, they are not wood shakes....but might be OEM.
Glass: most window and door manufacturers offer warranties on the seals. Some of the warranties are 20 years. Find who the manufacturer is and give them a call. Look for any etched labels in the glass on one of the corners. The manufacturer will need that info to determine the warranty.
Are the shingles on the roof or on the wall?
If the roof, Dan's right. Cedar on the roof (and walls) needs to breath. That doesn't help you now but it will when you replace them.
PM me and I'll get into specifics (as soon as the beer wares off.)
Invest in a power sprayer. In Seattle, maintenance would spray the moss off our roof on a monthly basis to keep it from rotting.
And no..my house did not look like this!! >:(
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3hiDPQbAnzQ/S1awzEYNQRI/AAAAAAAADTM/ssNBURHwJL4/s320/chic-HobbitHouse.jpg)
Always avoid pressure washing your house. The sprayer forces water into everywhere. You have the moss because of high moisture levels. Adding water is not going to help.
Moss grows in various shady patches around the roof. No real central area to it though. Asphalt shingles, and I'm told this roof was redone in 2005.
The glass door might be hard to find a manufacturer on, but I'll check-the cabin it's in was built in 1929. The glass isn't that old.
Quote from: MrIncredible on October 30, 2010, 05:24:58 PM
Moss grows in various shady patches around the roof. No real central area to it though. Asphalt shingles, and I'm told this roof was redone in 2005.
The glass door might be hard to find a manufacturer on, but I'll check-the cabin it's in was built in 1929. The glass isn't that old.
You just need to cut some trees...tree hugger. :-*
Sliders aren't that expensive, or difficult to replace.
Save your time...and money and pick out a quality replacement. ;)
Quote from: humorless dp on October 30, 2010, 06:37:56 PM
You just need to cut some trees...tree hugger. :-*
Trim some trees.
Take a look and makes sure they installed some sort of roofing underlayment like asphalt paper.
Git up on the roof and spray some bleach around.
Cut your trees back.
Shut the make the beast with two backs up.
Quote from: The Architect on October 30, 2010, 07:54:37 PM
Trim some trees.
Take a look and makes sure they installed some sort of roofing underlayment like asphalt paper.
I'll check the underlayment tomorrow.
I'm not trimming any trees.
I will replace the slider.
Quote from: Dan on October 30, 2010, 01:43:18 PM
If it's asphalt, you are probably close enough to the end of their useful life that it's not worth worrying about.
Not necessarily.
Quote from: Dan on October 30, 2010, 01:43:18 PM
Getting sun on the roof is really the only good way to prevent it.
Yep.
Quote from: herm on October 30, 2010, 02:55:36 PM
as for the shingles, my guess is that being in CA, they are not wood shakes....but might be OEM.
Plenty of wood shakes/shingles in CA. I sell a new wood roof at least once a year (compared to dozens of concrete and asphalt roofs).
Quote from: IZ on October 30, 2010, 03:55:03 PM
Invest in a power sprayer.
Good for tile. Bad for asphalt shingles (which he updated to let us know AFTER you posted).
Quote from: The Architect on October 30, 2010, 04:52:48 PM
Always avoid pressure washing your house. The sprayer forces water into everywhere. You have the moss because of high moisture levels. Adding water is not going to help.
Depends on the roof. Asphalt should not be power washed as it will just wash the imbedded rocks off of the shingles. On most other roofs (concrete, clay, cedar) power washing is fine and will solve the problem. Power washing not only takes off the moss but also the dirt and debris the moss likes to adhere to. A properly installed roof that is power washed properly (ie: don't shoot the water under the tiles but rather directly down on to tile) will look brand new and have no negative issues.
Quote from: MrIncredible on October 30, 2010, 05:24:58 PM
Moss grows in various shady patches around the roof. No real central area to it though. Asphalt shingles, and I'm told this roof was redone in 2005.
Hose it off with a semi high powered hose nozzle. No power washer.
Quote from: ducatiz on October 30, 2010, 08:57:43 PM
Git up on the roof and spray some bleach around.
Cut your trees back.
Pretty good advice. Use water bleach mixture. Make sure to only hit moss. Wait a few days and then take hose to it to clean off roof.
Is the roof vented or non vented?
Quote from: The Architect on October 31, 2010, 04:52:52 AM
Is the roof vented or non vented?
He doesn't know...
he's a rocket scientist.
Quote from: humorless dp on October 31, 2010, 04:58:43 AM
He doesn't know...
he's a rocket scientist.
Pictures of the ridge, eaves and gables will do.
What would it have to do with moss?
Is a vented roof even necessary in that climate?
i have moss on a section of my roof too...
don't worry... in ireland everyone's doing it... [thumbsup]
(http://ih0.redbubble.net/work.33240.12.flat,550x550,075,f.old-tatched-irish-country-famine-cottage.jpg)
From what I've seen, if the moss is more than just surface moss, ie thick, don't remove it.
It's root system is probably all that's holding the shingles together.
If it's just surface stuff, bleach will do it.
There are also companys out there that will power spray the roof for you to clean it off. They don't use very high pressure and won't damage the shingle. I don't think it's even 100psi.
have a glass company replace the tempered door glass. replacing the one panel will probably cost you as much as a new a new door (minus the install price), but it the door is in good condition, the glass install will take them about a half hour to replace,vs a day to install a new door.
Quote from: The Architect on October 31, 2010, 04:52:52 AM
Is the roof vented or non vented?
A properly vented roof can get moss as well.
Quote from: humorless dp on October 31, 2010, 05:06:55 AM
Is a vented roof even necessary in that climate?
No. In some locations a vented roof only allows more moisture into the roof system rather than vent moisture out. Most insulations don't like moisture.
Quote from: hbliam on October 31, 2010, 02:21:16 PM
A properly vented roof can get moss as well.
^ Yes.
An improperly applied underlayment, a poor underlayment or no underlayment will cause the roof to hold moisture at the sheathing thus giving the moss a nice area to grow. If this is the case the sheathing and the roof won't last too long.
A poorly vented roof or an improperly constructed non-vented roof will also retain moisture and lead to mold and moss.
Both these conditions are easy to look for. Just want to make sure the moss isn't just a symptom of another problem.
Quote from: humorless dp on October 31, 2010, 04:58:43 AM
He doesn't know...
he's a rocket scientist.
That's what I'm here for. And when I need to put together an ICBM or take a trip to the moon I'll know who to call. ;D
Most moss is just due to old shingles and too much tree coverage over the roof. Sunlight kills it.