Zinc strips should help keep shingles free from mold

GLENN HAEGE, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Originally published Saturday, March 30, 2002

Q: I noticed black streaks on my roof last fall. Our light charcoal-colored shingles are about eight to 10 years old. I also notice that the neighbors' roofs have a similar streaking. Our houses are in a very wooded area. Are the streaks mold, and should we be concerned? How can I treat the shingles to remove the streaks? Should we replace the shingles?

A: Your shingles are fine. The black streaks are mold. This is a very common problem, especially in wooded areas. Moss & Mildew Remover by Farnum Products, 888-241-9547, will remove the streaks. After they have been removed, attaching zinc strips called Shingle Shield by Chicago Metallic, 800-323-7164, will keep the black streaks away and make the neighbors wonder why your roof is the only one in the neighborhood without them. When it comes time to re-roof, make certain that the shingles you buy are mold and mildew resistant.

Q: I need advice on how to clean vinyl siding. Our house is up for sale, and the vinyl has spots of bird droppings, mildew and just plain dirt. We tried vinyl siding cleaner by Olympia but it hardly did anything. Any other suggestions?

A: Alumin-Nu makes a good vinyl siding cleaner under both the Alumin-Nu and Nice-and-Easy brand names, 800-899-7097. If that doesn't work, try using a solution of 4 ounces (dry measure) trisodium phosphate (TSP) and 2 cups liquid household bleach per gallon of warm water. Apply with a long-handled scrub brush or sponge, let stand a few minutes. Then rinse with clear water. This is a very strong solution, so wear goggles, long sleeves and cuffed rubber gloves. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Rinse copiously.

Q: My husband and I had our home built a few years ago and the builders got some caulking residue (looks like a light film) on our porcelain Jacuzzi tub, around the edges. I've tried everything to remove it, and nothing seems to work. Do you have any suggestions for removing this residue from the rim of my tub?

A: Try 3M Caulk Remover from the hardware store. Then follow up with rubbing alcohol.

Q: I'm in the process of finishing the basement of my detached condo. I'm not too interested in a drop ceiling and was thinking about using a sprayer to paint the basement ceiling like you see in some restaurants. Can I use any type of paint, and is there a problem with painting over the heat ducts and pipes?

A: Seal the ceiling area, including all wood, pipes and ductwork, with 1-2-3 by Zinsser. Then finish with a good, flat water-base paint. Rent a good HVLP (high volume, low pressure) sprayer from a full-service paint store. Do not dilute either the 1-2-3 or the water-base paint when you spray, add Flotrol by the Flood Co., 800-321-3444.

Q: You have mentioned a mildew stain remover for showers that would not remove color from carpet. You never mentioned the name of the product or where it could be purchased. I can find many mildew stain removers out there, but they either don't remove mildew or they remove color from carpet. I own a maid service and my ladies will sometimes accidentally track the cleaning chemicals onto the customer's carpet. I don't want to have to replace or re-dye their carpets.

A: Mildew StainAway by Amazon Products is an earth-friendly, nonbleaching, anti-mildew formula. The company's Web site is www.enviro-magic.com.

Q: We are building a gothic house, and I need a gothic door. Do you have any idea where we can obtain one?

A: I wrote an article on designer-quality front doors on June 17, 2000. The article included a number of the top manufacturers' names and addresses. To look it up, go to my Web site, www.masterhandy man.com, and click on "Browse the complete article archive."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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