Is It Worth Having A Cedar Roof Cleaned

The look of a brand-new cedar roof can't be beat. The color is warm and inviting, and the fabric is 1 of the most durable options yous can go. Over the years, cedar will naturally weather to a silver-grey color. If you don't love the weathered look, you may be tempted to paint your shakes – just before you practice, realize you tin can clean them to largely restore their original look. Cedar shingles and shakes tin terminal decades with very little maintenance. To ensure the longevity of your cedar roofing and siding, information technology should exist cleaned every 5 to seven years. An effective cleaning will non only restore that warm color, information technology volition increment the overall life expectancy of your roof and siding.

Forestall

Moss growing on the roof, leaves and other droppings collecting on the roof volition trap moisture and encourage decay, thereby decreasing the life expectancy of the roof. Remove overhanging branches that encroach on the roof and can deposit organic thing on the roof. Keep your roof clear of leaves, twigs, pine needles, etc.

Exist Safe

Always be condom! Information technology may be difficult and unsafe for you lot to climb onto and walk on your roof. Also, as shakes and shingles age, they may become brittle. Walking on the roof can cause extensive cracking of aged shakes or shingles and may lead to leaks.

Hire Professionals

For the above listed reasons, nosotros strongly recommend hiring a covering contractor that has experience in maintaining wood roofs. An experienced contractor should have the proper ladders, scaffolds, safety equipment and footwear, and will know where to walk to minimize damage. On the other mitt, an inexperienced roofing company might not have knowledge or the equipment to practice the job right and cause further harm to your roof.

Make clean

The Cedar Bureau recommends using a solution no stronger than one-function bleach to iii parts h2o. Employ information technology with a pump sprayer and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with a garden hose. Exist sure to keep the hose pointed down to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles. This should remove mildew and algae and reveal that buff tan colour. You lot can scrub off whatsoever persistent dirt or dust with a nylon bristle brush.

Non-professionals should not force per unit area wash shingles. High force per unit area tin remove wood fibers and drastically shorten the life of the shingles. Applied incorrectly, it can too force water into the places behind the shingles, which could lead to rot and mold.

If power-washing of shakes and shingles is deemed necessary, it should be washed only by contractors having experience cleaning cedar.

In fair weather, it commonly takes 2-4 days for shingles to dry. From here, you tin can permit the woods historic period naturally once more until your side by side cleaning in some other five to seven years.

Optional – Stain

If y'all want, after the shakes or shingles are dry, y'all tin can employ an oil-based semitransparent stain that is approved by the cedar shake or shingle manufacturer. The temperature during application and for 24 hours following application should be to a higher place 40–l° F (see the stain production characterization for specific instructions). Staining is not necessary, but it can help preserve the colour of your shingles longer.

Whether or non you choose to apply stain actually depends on how you want your shingles to look. Stain will need to be reapplied periodically.

Repeat

Expect to have your cedar shingles and shakes cleaned every five to seven years to extend the life of your roof or siding and keep information technology looking fabled.

Cleaning cedar shingles and shakes is non for anybody because getting up on a roof tin can be a unsafe job. Call the pros at Allstar to handle the cleaning, repair or replacement of your cute roof. Call 701.478.7663 or make full out our online contact course to schedule your complimentary inspection and be the first on our decorated Spring schedule!