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The Cedar Bureau recommends using a solution no stronger than one-part bleach to three parts water. Apply it with a pump sprayer and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with a garden hose. Be sure to keep the hose pointed downward to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles.
Should you clean a cedar roof?
Ideally, cedar roof shingles should be cleaned every 3-5 years, preferably during the mid-spring or early fall — after the last of the winter weather or before the fall of the autumn leaves. In any case, the quality and appearance of your cedar roof depend on routine cleanings.
How do you care for a cedar shake roof?
Cedar shingle maintenance must include protective treatments every one to three years. Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade, buckle, rot, and even burn. To protect and preserve your roof, every few years, professionally apply water and fire repellents, fungicides, and algaecides to the shingles.
How do you clean cedar shake shingles?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Services Laboratory recommends cleaning cedar shingles with an oxidizing bleach — not household bleach — to avoid damaging the wood. Household bleach is harsher and will make the shingles surface turn fuzzy from the pulp reaction to it.
What is the lifespan of a cedar shake roof?
As long as it’s properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.
Can you power wash cedar shake roof?
Cedar shake siding will grow algae and mold if it’s not cleaned once in a while. Algae and mold will cause deterioration and discoloration to your cedar siding. Much like a wooden deck, you can use detergents and a pressure washer to blast the grime away and reveal the beautiful cedar color within.
How do you keep cedar shakes looking new?
If you have weathered and discolored wood siding, you can regain the new look of cedar by cleaning off the dirt and mildew with a solution of one third cup liquid household detergent (be sure it is ammonia-free), one quart liquid household bleach (containing 5% sodium hypochlorite), and three quarts warm water.
Should you oil a cedar shake roof?
In humid areas oiling shakes does not allow them to breathe and they cannot dry out properly which could shorten their life span. The CSSB recommends you try a good fungicide/preservative. Keep in mind that no by-products, such as motor oil, should be used on cedar roofs.
How do I know if my cedar shake roof is bad?
Severe splitting, curling, and buckling are all signs of a roof in need of serious help—and maybe a complete replacement. These signs typically crop up after serious weather problems, or on roofs that are getting on in years. Dealing with too much water.
What do you clean cedar wood with?
You can use water mixed with a bit of mild detergent for a basic cleaner. If you need a stronger cleaner, you can dilute bleach with water for a cleaner that will accentuate the natural luster of the cedar. This is particularly effective in the removal of mildew. Wipe the wood gently, and avoid excessive scrubbing.
Can I power wash cedar shingles?
Power washing can be used to clean cedar as long as the sprayer is set at a low pressure to prevent damaging the wood’s soft surface.
What is the best cleaner for cedar siding?
A safe deep-cleaner for wood siding is oxygen bleach. It is a powder that mixes with water. It is non-toxic to vegetation and trees and will not remove any natural color from the siding. You simply keep the wood siding wet with the oxygen bleach solution for 15 minutes.
Should you pressure wash cedar?
Can pressure washers be used on cedar siding? As long as the sprayer is set to a low pressure, pressure washing can be used to clean cedar. It is important to avoid damaging the wood’s soft surface, so using a low pressure and not working too closely to the siding is necessary.
When should I replace my shake roof?
A well maintained cedar roof can last up to 50 years before needing a complete replacement. This repair and maintenance can involve: patching, applying topical treatments, washing moss off, and installing metal shims. The environment and weather will play a determined role in how well the roof ages through the years.
Do cedar shingles shrink?
Cedar wood contains 20% to 25 % moisture and by the time it becomes shakes sitting in a driveway the moisture is around 15% to 20%. Due to this variance, spacing for shakes will be different. Natural shake will shrink after installation unless kiln-dried or stained at the factory – in which case they expand.
How much does a cedar shake roof cost?
Cedar Shake Roof Cost The average price range to install a 3,000-square foot shake roof is between $18,000 and $20,000, or about $600 to $670 per square. Low cost for installation is around $16,000 and high cost is about $27,000. A shake is a wooden shingle that is split on one side and sawn on the other.
How do you get moss off a cedar shake roof?
The best solution to remove moss from a cedar roof is chlorine or oxygen bleach mixed with water. These types of bleaches are effective at killing algae and mold on cedar shake roof surfaces, and they provide a clean, tan-colored finish.
How do you clean cedar siding with OxiClean?
Mix the powdered Oxiclean as four parts water to one part powdered product and apply the solution with a garden sprayer. All the OxiClean to soak into the wood for around fifteen minutes. Once the time is up, you can use a soft-bristled scrub brush to remove the debris, followed by a rinse-off with the garden hose.
Should you stain cedar shakes?
Staining cedar shingles not only enhances their beauty but also fortifies them against threats posed by the elements. To protect new shingles, apply a penetrating stain. Stain soaks in and protects the wood from the weather, and it won’t crack, peel, or chip.
Should you treat cedar shakes?
Without treatments, cedar shakes can degrade over time, with constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays, the elements, and water, of course. It also means that the cedar shakes can suffer from fungus and algae growth without proper treatment. Most importantly, without treatment, cedar shake shingles can catch on fire.
