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Cedar roofs require regular maintenance to prevent damage and ensure their longevity. Cleaning your cedar roof is a crucial part of this process.
To clean your cedar roof, you'll need a soft-bristled brush, a mild detergent, and a hose with a spray nozzle. Avoid using high-pressure washes, which can damage the wood.
The frequency of cleaning depends on the level of exposure to the elements and debris. If your cedar roof is heavily shaded or protected from the elements, you may only need to clean it once a year. However, if it's exposed to direct sunlight and heavy rain, you may need to clean it every 3-6 months.
For best results, clean your cedar roof in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and dry. This will help prevent damage from extreme temperatures or moisture.
Why Clean Your Cedar Roof
Cedar roofs are resistant to insects and can withstand high winds if properly constructed. However, they can be prone to water retention from rain and shade coverage, which can cause mildew and mold.
Cedar roofs can also develop rotting due to tree sap and debris from overhanging trees. This can lead to a significant reduction in the cedar's lifespan.
It's essential to clean your cedar roof if you notice mildew, mold, or other organic material developing on it.
Our Process
We take a non-pressure cleaning approach to ensure the longevity of your cedar roof. This method prevents premature roof replacement and costly repairs.
Cedar roofs can last up to 40-60 years with regular maintenance, but decay is caused by moisture, which leads to growth of moss, mold, mildew, fungi, or lichen. Our cleaning process stops the deteriorating condition by removing these infestations.
We recommend cleaning your roof every 7 to 10 years to maximize its life span. The cost of cleaning/treatment is typically less than 5-7% of the roof replacement cost.
Our eco-friendly solution is formulated with a Citrus based cleaner, contains a Fungicide, Mildewcide and Algaecide to kill wood-destroying infestations, and a surfactant soap to help the solution cling to the shakes.
Here's a breakdown of our cleaning process:
- Remove debris, such as leaves, twigs, and branches, from the roof's surface.
- Apply our cleaning solution specifically designed for cedar shake roofs, using a low-pressure sprayer.
- Rinse the roof thoroughly with a low-pressure sprayer to remove all cleaning solution.
- Allow the roof to dry completely before applying any cedar shake roof maintenance products.
Shingle Maintenance and Replacement
Cedar roof shingles should be cleaned every 3-5 years, ideally during mid-spring or early fall.
Routine cleanings are crucial for maintaining the quality and appearance of your cedar roof, and may even be required by your roof warranty.
You'll need specific tools and cleaning fluids to clean your shingles effectively, and safety precautions are a must to prevent bodily injury.
Cleaning a cedar rooftop is not a simple task, but it's essential for extending the life of your roof.
Understanding the Need for Shingles
Cedar shingles can last for decades if properly maintained and cleaned annually. This can extend their lifespan to 40 years or more, making them a great investment for homeowners.
Direct sunlight and inclement weather can cause damage to cedar shingles, but regular cleaning can mitigate this effect. In fact, if shingles are not cleaned, they can turn from a fresh cedar color to a dark brown or black tone.
The northeastern part of the United States experiences cold and rainy weather, which can make cedar shingles a valuable feature for homes. However, this same weather can also lead to the growth of organisms on the shingles' surface.
Regular cleaning is essential to protect the quality of cedar shingles and ensure their longevity. This is especially true in areas like Fairfield County, CT, and Westchester County, NY, where Cedar Roof Coatings has been a trusted name for over 35 years.
How Often Should Shingles Be Replaced?
Cedar shingles can last for 30 to 40 years, but their lifespan depends on regular maintenance and replacement when necessary.
The frequency of replacement depends on various factors, including weather conditions, tree coverage, and the overall condition of the shingles. Ideally, cedar roof shingles should be cleaned every 3-5 years to maintain their quality and appearance.
Cleaning the shingles on an annual basis may be required by your roof warranty, so be sure to check the details. The process of cleaning a roof is not a simple task, though, and requires specific tools and safety precautions.
In general, it's essential to inspect your shingles regularly to catch any damage or wear before it becomes a more significant issue.
Should I Hire a Roofer for Shingles?
If you're considering cleaning your cedar shingles yourself, think twice. Many power washing vendors claim to SoftWash cedar shake siding, but just douse the cedar shake shingles with chemicals and don't know (or care) about causing damage to the core of the wood.
Cleaning cedar shake roofs can be a challenging and time-consuming task, requiring specific knowledge and experience. If you're not confident in your ability to clean the roof safely and effectively, it's best to hire a professional.
Hiring a professional can ensure that the roof is cleaned safely and without any accidents, especially if there is moss or algae growth on the roof's surface. This is a major safety concern that can be avoided by hiring a pro.
Professional cleaners have the right equipment and cleaning solutions to clean cedar shake roofs effectively, preventing any damage that may lead to costly repairs. In fact, hiring a professional can be cost-effective in the long run.
Here are some reasons to consider hiring a professional:
- Lack of Experience
- Safety Concerns
- Cost-Effective
If you're still unsure, remember that a set of cedar shingles will not last forever, but they can last for decades if properly taken care of and cleaned on an annual basis.
Shake Maintenance
Regular inspections are crucial for identifying signs of damage on cedar shake roofs and siding. This can help prevent costly repairs down the line.
Inspect the roof and siding regularly to catch any issues early. Visually check for cracks, decay, or missing shingles, and address any problems promptly.
Overhanging branches can cause damage to cedar shake roofs by scratching or breaking the shingles. Trim any branches that are close to the roof to prevent this.
Applying sealant can protect cedar shake roofs and siding from moisture and decay. It's recommended to apply sealant every five years to maintain the roof's durability.
A regular maintenance plan can help extend the life of your cedar shake roof or siding. With proper care, cedar shakes can last for over 50 years.
Here are some regular maintenance tasks to consider:
- Inspect the roof and siding regularly
- Trim overhanging branches
- Apply sealant every five years
- Apply stain to enhance the beauty and protect the roof or siding
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles can last for decades if properly taken care of and cleaned on an annual basis.
Cedar shingles, in particular, can last for 40 years or more if professionally cleaned every spring or fall. If the shingles turn dark brown or black due to organism growth, it's time to have them cleaned.
Cleaning wood shingles requires a mix of the right cleaning solution and water, which should be applied to the entire roof using a sprayer. It's essential to coat the roof downward and avoid spraying upward.
The cleaning process should take several minutes to allow the formula to set into the surface of the wood and break up dirt and moss. Depending on the length of the eaves, you might need to repeat the steps a third time to cover the entire roof.
After applying the cleaning solution, you should see a difference in your shingles, with the cedar looking cleaner and free of moss growth. However, dirt will still linger, so a final rinse is necessary.
Cedar shingles need to be cleaned from time to time to protect their quality and ensure the longevity of the wood. In areas with harsh weather conditions, regular cleaning is crucial to maintain their durability and beauty.
Algae can form on cedar shake siding and roofs, leading to discoloration and damage. Algae removal should be treated with a SoftWash process using approved chemicals and cleaners that use low water pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to clean a cedar shake roof?
Cleaning a cedar shake roof costs between $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot, with recommended maintenance every 3 to 5 years for optimal longevity.
Sources
- https://cedarshakesroofcleaning.com/best-way-to-clean-cedar-shake-roof/
- https://www.davidsonroofcleaning.com/cedar-shake-roof-cleaning
- https://www.cedarroofcoatings.com/post/2018/04/30/cleaning-cedar-roof-shingles-what-you-need-to-know
- https://www.cedar-roofs.com/cedar-roof-treatment/
- https://rightwaypowerwashing.com/cedar-siding-and-roof-cleaning
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