As half the U.S. freezes over with a diagonal storm swiping across the country causing a state of emergency in 16 states, Dean is grateful we live in sunny Southern California where icy weather rarely touches us. 

Today’s first caller has a question about Dean’s recommendations regarding the self-sealing vapor barrier that replaces traditional roofing paper. 

Our next caller has a beautiful timber fireplace mantle that gets so hot to the touch that it melts the ornaments and evaporates the plant water. What can DeeDee do about it? 

A listener from Northern California has tall grass growing in her roof shingles — what’s up with that?