9 Tips For Cedar Shake Roof Maintenance
If you have a cedar shake roof, routine and timely maintenance is necessary to protect your investment. Neglecting the roof will significantly decrease its longevity and aesthetic value. Hiring a professional roof contractor is the best way to ensure that your cedar shake roof is taken care of.
The Cost of Cedar Shake Roof Maintenance
When presented with a roof that has been damaged from storms, fire or moisture buildup, most homeowners replace the roof rather than repair it. So when faced with a damaged roof there are two options: replace it or fix it. Replacing your shake roof is a costly process, as each square foot of cedar shake can cost upwards of $20. Replacing your shake roof may be the best option if you have extensive damage to several shakes and the project will be completed by professionals in less than a day. Additionally, if you have experienced damage to multiple shakes over the years, replacing the shakes at once may save you money on labor and materials.
1. Protective Treatments
The secret to cedar-shingle maintenance is a preventative approach. Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade and rot in as little as three years. To protect and preserve your roof, every three years, professionally apply water and fire repellents, fungicides, and algaecides to the shingles.
2. Remove Overhanging Branches
A wood shingle roof should be maintained regularly. This includes having a tree specialist remove all overhanging branches that hang too close to the roof. Removal of hanging branches is essential for two major reasons: it allows the roof to dry faster; and it reduces the chance of a tree falling on the roof, either causing damage or setting it on fire.
3. Removing Debris
Pine needles, leaves and sticks that blow off your roof and gather on the ground below pose a great risk to your cedar shake roof. These can become trapped in the gaps between shingles, resulting in moisture buildup and the growth of damaging fungus on your roof sheathing. Regularly removing these detritus prevents buckling, rotting and costly repairs.
4. Power Washing
Proper wood shake roof maintenance must include a professorial power wash cleaning every few years. Power washing will remove moss, debris, lichens, and weaker wood. This will help to maintain the strength and integrity of your roof. The result is that you will save money in the long run by extending the life of your roof
5. Gutter Maintenance
Clean your gutters regularly to prevent water build-up and damage to the roof. The gutters on your cedar roof should be cleaned as part of your regular maintenance, but they can get dirty quickly. Cleaning your rain gutters too late means that excess water has had time to gather and saturate the roof sheathing boards, which cause them to rot or warp. In turn, these warped or rotted boards need replacing in a weakened corner of the roof, which is why you want clean gutters!
6. Cleaning and Inspection
Clean your gutters regularly to prevent water build-up and damage to the roof. The gutters on your cedar roof should be cleaned as part of your regular maintenance, but they can get dirty quickly. Cleaning your rain gutters too late means that excess water has had time to gather and saturate the roof sheathing boards, which cause them to rot or warp. In turn, these warped or rotted boards need replacing in a weakened corner of the roof, which is why you want clean gutters!
7. Pest Control
Clean your gutters regularly to prevent water build-up and damage to the roof. The gutters on your cedar roof should be cleaned as part of your regular maintenance, but they can get dirty quickly. Cleaning your rain gutters too late means that excess water has had time to gather and saturate the roof sheathing boards, which cause them to rot or warp. In turn, these warped or rotted boards need replacing in a weakened corner of the roof, which is why you want clean gutters!
8. Rotting Shingles
Cedar is naturally resistant to rot, but can still develop wood rot if the moisture level rises above 20 percent. Regular maintenance can protect against rotting shingles by treating surfaces and inspecting regularly for fungus and algae. If fungus or algae are found, quickly hire a professional to repair or replace the affected area to ensure your home isn’t damaged.
9. Shingle Cracks
Cedar shingle roofs are long-lasting and beautiful, but they do require maintenance. It’s important to carefully inspect for cracks as a part of cedar shingle roof maintenance. Cracks can occur in a cedar roof because wood naturally expands and contracts from moisture exposure and temperature fluctuations which can lead to small cracks on the surface. If you begin to notice the cracks or splits growing, you need to call a professional to repair or replace the damaged shingle(s).
