How to Pressure Wash Cedar Shake Siding
- Choose a Pressure Washer. A 3000 PSI pressure consumer-grade gas pressure washer is a perfect match for cleaning and even stripping paint from cedar shake siding.
- Mix it Up. Because you're likely cleaning mold and mildew from your siding, you'll want to use more than just water.
- Subs it Up. ...
- Smooth Moves. ...
- With Power Comes Responsibility. ...
How do you clean a wood shake roof?
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. Power washing not only improves your roof's appearance but also helps to maintain the strength and integrity of the roof.
How do you clean cedar shingles?
Cleaning away the age is the first step in caring for cedar shingles. The Cedar Bureau recommends using a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Apply it with a pump sprayer let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with with a garden hose. Be sure to keep the hose pointed downward to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles.
What is the best treatment for a cedar shake roof?
This includes water repellents, fungicides, algaecides, and fire repellents. These cedar shake roof treatments may claim a long life, but it is best to apply them every 1 to 3 years as part of the regular cedar shake roof maintenance.
How do you get rid of lichen on a shingle roof?
Use a long-handled broom or pole to clear leaves, sticks, and debris from your roof to help prevent moss, mold, and lichen from growing on your shingles. Brighten your roof by spraying it with a 5% solution of oxalic acid. Conduct a soft wash on your roof.
How do you care for a 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.
Can you pressure wash a 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 clean and seal a cedar shake roof?
0:223:56Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning and Sealing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd once we've secured ourselves to this line we then apply the wood cleaner that is anMoreAnd once we've secured ourselves to this line we then apply the wood cleaner that is an environmentally friendly cleaner that is very effective at cleaning cedar shake roofs.
Do cedar shingles need to be cleaned?
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.
How do you remove moss from 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 restore a cedar shake roof?
2:046:15Properly Treat (and Restore) a Cedar Shake Roof Wood Roof Cleaning ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe would use a ladder hook which we roll up the roof and hooks over the top and then walk up theMoreWe would use a ladder hook which we roll up the roof and hooks over the top and then walk up the ladder to do that. And when it comes to rinsing we rinse with a garden hose pressure.
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 cedar shakes be sealed?
No. Never seal your cedar roof. Sealing the roof will lock in moisture that would otherwise naturally evaporate during normal weather conditions. Cedar needs to breathe and thus a water repellant type product, rather than a water proofer is the best route to follow.
Do cedar shakes need to be treated?
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.
How do you make cedar shingles look new?
1:467:16How to Make New Cedar Shingles Look Old in 3 Hours - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd these are cedar shingles white cedar shingles so they don't really need rot protection anywayMoreAnd these are cedar shingles white cedar shingles so they don't really need rot protection anyway they're gonna last for 40 or 50 years or longer. So let's go over I'll load up the sprayer.
How long will a cedar shake roof last?
Cedar roofs are always working hard to fight off the elements. The minimum cedar shingle roof life expectancy is 30 years — however, when you regularly maintain it, it can last an astounding 50 years or more. We've even seen some Cedar roofs last over 90 years!
How long do shingles last?
You could get them to last up to 50 years with good maintenance and cleaning.
Can you paint cedar shingles?
You can choose to clear coat or paint your shingles. Keep in mind that paint peeling from cedar shingles can be difficult to remove or correct. A clear coat or opaque stains are a good option to change the color of your shingles without dealing with paint.
Can bleach be used on cedar shingles?
Cedar shingles, particularly in moist climates, can develop moss or algae on them. This could result in staining. They are also prone to iron staining from the products used to secure the shingles to the home. 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 happens if you put cedar shingles on your roof?
Whether they’re on your roof or wall your shingles may develop mildew or algae and will most certainly weather to a silver/grey appearance after years of exposure. Cleaning away the age is the first step in caring for cedar shingles.
How long do cedar shingles last?
Before you give in and paint your shingles, realize that cedar shingles can last decades with virtually no maintenance. But a little maintenance can keep them looking great and extend their life even further.
How long does it take for a stain to dry?
Give it at least 24 hrs drying time before further handling.
Can you pressure wash shingles?
Not only that, but it forces water into the places where it doesn’t belong possibly causing rot and mold. Read 4 Reasons You Should Never Pressure Wash Your House.
Why do you need to maintain a wood shake roof?
Roof maintenance for a wood shake roof is vital to ensure your home has a lasting roof. Proper maintenance will help you save money on costly roofing repairs and replacement costs. Maintaining your shake roof will also help you identify roofing problems early before they get worse.
How do I maintain a cedar roof?
Maintaining your cedar roof requires understanding of the forces working against your roof. The sun, wind, rain and snow that your roof protects you and your home from, take a toll on your roof. The sun on your cedar shakes releases compounds within the wood that begin a slow process of degrading and weakening of the wood. The constant cycle of wet and dry, freezing and thawing from rain and snow alters the wood as well. Shakes swell when wet then contract as they dry. Additionally, rain and wind can carry small particles that can further stress the wood by exposing microscopic areas of new wood, gradually wearing the wood away. This can leave the wood open to organisms like mold, mildew and fungi which further degrade the shakes.
What causes moisture on a roof?
Of all of the elements battling your roof, the worst is lingering moisture. The faster and more completely your roof dries, the healthier your roof will be. Anything causing moisture to linger, like tree leaves or pine needles, needs be removed from your roof on a regular basis. Plant vegetation will hold moisture longer, promote mold and fungus growth which damage the shingles. Areas where the planes of your roof meet to form valleys are the most susceptible to plant debris gathering.
Do cedar shakes dry out?
The shade provided to your home by your trees is great for keeping the temperature down inside on a hot summer day but that same shade will lengthen the time for your cedar shakes to dry out. Additionally, limbs rubbing against your roof will create wear spots and places for water to get under your roof shingles. Keeping your trees trimmed away your home will also reduce the amount of vegetation available to fall on your roof.
Why do you need red cedar shingles?
One of the benefits of routine maintenance is that red cedar shingles are naturally more resistant to moisture uptake. This can help to slightly lessen the amount of shingle maintenance required.
What is the purpose of cedar shake shingles?
Another essential step in cedar shake shingles maintenance is to clean your home’s gutters. While this may sound like a strange step for wood shake roof maintenance, it is actually imperative. The purpose of your home's gutters is to take rainwater runoff and redirect it away from our home so that it cannot harm the roof or foundation.
What is a cedar shake roof?
A cedar wood shake roof is a roofing option that works for any home. It can transform the look of a home and really make a statement. But, there is a lot of cedar shake roof maintenance required to keep this roofing material looking good and functional. So, before you jump into installing a shake roof on your home, take some time to learn about the shake roof maintenance you can expect with cedar so you can make an educated decision.
How long does a shake roof last?
A shake roof can last about 30 years, with the right wood shake roof maintenance. Maintaining this kind of roof takes a lot of work, and needs to be done regularly to avoid faster deterioration. Ideally, complete cedar shingle roof maintenance should be performed every 2 to 4 years. But, some of these steps should be completed more often.
How do I maintain a cedar roof?
One of the first steps in cedar roof maintenance is to clean it of any debris. This includes things like fallen leaves, conifer needles, mosses, and lichens. This kind of debris can make it harder for any water runoff of the roof. In addition, they have the potential to retain moisture, which will allow dow wood-destroying fungus to begin growing. These fungi are notorious for retaining moisture, which can weaken shake shingles and cause them to become brittle and break more quickly.
How can I extend the life of a shake roof?
Something as simple as removing tree branches that hang over your home can help to expand the life of your shake roofing. By removing those branches, the roof will be able to dry much faster, so that there is less water retention and therefore less chance for harmful fungi to grow. Removing these branches for cedar care roof maintenance will also ...
How much does it cost to maintain a shake roof?
While you can do it yourself to save money, it is always better to leave it to a professional. This can cost up to $1,000 every 2 to 4 years. If you’re not up to the cedar roof maintenance needed, that doesn’t mean you cannot have the beautiful shake roof of your dreams.
What is the best way to clean shingles?
A bristle brush will help loosen moss, mildew, lichen, and other growth on the shingles. You can use a small brush to scrub shingles individually or a large brush on a pole to clean many at one time. ...
What is the best solution for cedar shingles?
Citric cleaning solutions should be specially formulated for cedar shingles and may include algaecide, mildewcide, and fungicide.
How to make a bleach spray?
Create a bleach mixture. Mix one part bleach and five parts water. Sprinkle in several tablespoons of powdered detergent. Stir the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle or something similar.
How to get rid of blue black stains on roof?
Apply a 5% oxalic acid solution on your roof. This solution will help neutralize the blue-black stain that occurs on shingles overtime. In the end, you’ll have shingles that appear brighter.
What to do if you have moss on your roof?
If you have stubborn moss or mildew growing on your shingles, try spraying your roof with a citric-based cleaner or a diluted bleach and detergent mixture .
What is a soft wash on a roof?
Conduct a soft wash on your roof. A soft wash, also known as a non-pressure wash, is where you take low pressure water and spray down a surface. This is important, as standard high pressure power washes might damage cedar shingles.
Can you use citric acid on a roof?
Use a citric-based solution if you don’t want to use bleach. Citric-based solutions are non-toxic and quite effective If a tradition bleach solution did not work, you should spray citric solution on your roof. These solutions are available at major hardware stores or can be purchased online.
What to do with cedar shake roof?
You must remove all the leaves, pine needles, and sticks from your cedar wood roof as part of your regular shake roof maintenance. Debris retains moisture that breeds wood-destroying fungus that weakens the shingles, leading to expensive repairs and a shorter lifespan for your roof. 4. Power Washing.
How much does it cost to repair a shake roof?
Typically a contractor will charge $750 to repair a wood shake roof, and between $0.21 and $0.34 per square foot to clean a cedar shake roof.
Why does cedar shingle have cracks?
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.
How long does a cedar shake roof last?
Routine and timely cedar shake roof maintenance, including inspection, cleaning, treatments, and repair, will protect your investment for 30 years or more. Neglecting the roof will significantly decrease its longevity and aesthetic value. Due to the dangers of working on a roof and the complexity of cedar roof maintenance, you should hire a professional roof contractor.
Why do you remove the hanging branches on a shingle roof?
Removing the hanging branches allows the roof to dry faster, reducing the chance of harmful mold. Removing branches also significantly decreases the likelihood of a tree falling on the roof and either damaging it or setting it on fire.
Does power washing a roof remove moss?
Power washing not only improves your roof’s appearance but also helps to maintain the strength and integrity of the roof. 5. Gutter Maintenance. Gutters on a roof move water away from your house so that the moisture won’t harm the roof or foundation.
Do cedar shingles rot?
Cedar shingles have natural water-resistant qualities. However, they may still develop wood rot if the wood’s moisture level rises above 20 percent, when damaging fungi can form. Regular maintenance can protect against rotting shingles through treatments and regular inspections for fungus and algae.
What is a blue label shingles?
Grade No. I (Blue Label) shingles and shakes in the past were cut from 100 percent clear, vertical-grain heartwood. However, grading standards have been relaxed over the years allowing more flat-grain and defects. These shakes and shingles are particularly susceptible to cupping, curling, and splitting. Improper nailing, nailing too high or too far in from the edge, only worsens the problem.
Is a shake roof permanent?
Wood shingle and shake roofs are not eternal, but they can provide long-lasting performance if cleaned and treated periodically. There are many products and techniques to choose from which offer varying degrees of protection. The worst thing to do, however, is to do nothing at all.
Can you use a garden sprayer on a naphthenic roof?
It is not suited, however, for the naphthenic-oil treatments. Also note that this is a slow and cumbersome way to apply chemicals to the roof.
