A cedar shake roof is an aesthetic roofing option that can transform the appearance of any home. To keep it beautiful and functional, it requires routine maintenance. Before deciding to install natural cedar shakes or cedar shingles on your roof, take the time to learn about cedar roof treatment and maintenance.
Cedar Shake Roof Maintenance
Cedarwood is incredibly durable. With proper cedar roof maintenance, cedar shakes can last for about 30 years. It requires good care and regular cedar shake roof treatment to prevent early deterioration. Complete cedar shake roof maintenance needs to be performed at least every 2-4 years.
Benefits of Regular Cedar Roof Maintenance
Cedar shakes look beautiful and are more expensive than other types of shingles for a reason. They are made of organic material and require special care and maintenance to enhance durability and extend lifespan.
Increase the Value of Your Home
A cedar wood roof has a rustic aesthetic appeal, which many homebuyers consider when purchasing a home. The warm colours of cedar and its longevity can increase the value of your home. However, since it is made of organic material, moss and mould tend to grow on it during the wet season. Although the greenish colour of moss gives it a countryside look, it can also give the impression that it lacks maintenance.
A well-maintained roof can increase the resale value of your home and attract more potential buyers. If you are planning to sell your home in a couple of years, be sure to observe proper cedar shingle roof maintenance to keep the roof looking good as ever.
Improve the Lifespan of Your Roof
Without any intervention or maintenance, the cedar shakes can stay functional for an average of 7 to 15 years. The thinner cedar shingles last even shorter. Fortunately, proper care and maintenance can extend the lifespan of the wood roofs for 30 years or more. The durability of well-maintained roofing material means you do not have to worry about frequent roof replacements. You have to pay the price for professional cleanup and repair, but the cost is relatively less than frequent or premature roof replacement.
Prevent Further Roof Damage
When your cedar roof has issues, make sure to act on it right away to prevent further damage that will result in costly repairs or replacements in the future. The best time to do maintenance work is in the fall, before the snow of winter comes. Routine maintenance may not make your roof invulnerable to damage, but it will limit the possible damage caused by the natural elements. Your roof provides your family protection from the outside forces of nature. Please keep it in good condition as much as possible.
Avert Pest Issues
A fully-functional roof prevents birds, rats, squirrels, and other pests from entering your home. Fix the loose or broken shingles as early as possible because pests can quickly enter through defects in your roof. Pests can wreak havoc and damage other areas of your home. Keep them from entering by limiting their possible entrance points.
Roof Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
You can do good maintenance practices on your own as a homeowner, but there are also more complex tasks that should be left out for professionals. Here are some of the easy things that many homeowners can do regularly.
Inspect Your Roof for Storm Damage
Always inspect your roof after a storm. You can view the roof from the ground or use a ladder to get more visibility. If you have an attic window, peek through and have a look. If you have a drone, take advantage of it and use it to get complete footage of your roof surface. Look for loose or broken shakes, scattered debris, ranches, and mould growth. If you have damp spots and leaks inside the house, try to trace the source of the leak in the roof.
Remove Overhanging Branches
Tree branches can block the sun and provide areas in your roof that promote moss, fungal, and mould growth. They can also accidentally break out during a storm and damage the cedar shakes. If you have the proper tools, trim the tree branches to minimize roof damage. You can also hire a contractor to cut the branches for you.
Clear Your Roof and Maintain Your Gutter System
Remove fallen leaves, pine needles, twigs, and other debris on your roof and gutter system. Something as simple as vegetation removal can increase the lifespan of your roof. Accumulated debris does not only hold on to damaging moisture, and it can lead to clogged gutters and downspouts, as well. By removing debris and maintaining your gutter system, you reduce the risk of potential moisture damage.
Avoid Pressure Washing
You may be tempted to use a pressure washer to clean your cedar shake roof. Although pressure or power washing effectively cleans garage doors, patios, sidings, and fences, it may not benefit wooden roofs. The high pressure of the water can remove the natural resins, oil finishes, and protective treatments applied to the cedar shakes.
When the preservative finish of the wooden shingle gets damaged, water can easily seep into the core of the wood and may cause the wood to rot. Moreover, the heat of the sun can cause small cracks in shingles that have trapped moisture.
If there are leaves, dust, and other small debris on your roof, you can use a garden hose to do the job. Pressure from a simple garden hose will not damage your roof. If you think your roof needs to be pressure washed, call a professional and let them assess the situation.
Professional Roof Maintenance
Some tasks are better left to the professionals. If you want to ensure the integrity of your cedar shake roofing, you should seek the services of professional roofing maintenance contractors. Hiring professionals is not only cost-effective but can give you peace of mind.
Cedar Shake Roof Inspection
Professionals can check the general condition of your cedar shakes and inspect the roof’s ridges, valleys, and membranes. By conducting routine inspections, professionals can assess the roof’s situation and determine the proper maintenance practices and treatment solutions necessary to keep it functional and durable.
Cedar roofs can last 30 years or more if you allow professionals to do regular inspection and proper maintenance. Once you neglect these things, your roof may deteriorate quickly and possibly last 15 years or less. Keep in mind that premature or frequent replacement costs more than regular maintenance.
Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning
Years of neglect can leave your roof in bad condition. Professional roofers can help restore your roof with proper cleaning if necessary. They usually check what kind of treatments were applied to the roof in the past. When performing routine cleaning, they make sure not to damage the treatment as much as possible.
Whenever you see excessive growth of mould, mildew, and moss on your roof, it is a sure sign that you need professional cleaning. The service can save you a lot of effort, money, and time. The service providers can access the roof through the attic windows or ladders to do a thorough cleanup.
Protective Treatment Application
Cedar shakes may be pre-treated when you buy them. These are more expensive, but they lessen the necessity of treatment application during maintenance. Nevertheless, roofing contractors may recommend specific treatment solutions for various roof conditions. Some treatments are applied to prevent insect infestation, and others are required to extend the lifespan of the shingles.
Applying protective treatments may be part of the annual maintenance when necessary. Treatment solutions have to be applied on the roof ideally around one to three years. Professionals use fire repellents, water repellents, fungicides, and other treatments to the roof. Cedar shakes that do not have protective treatment are prone to absorbing damaging moisture, and the unseen moisture can cause fungi, moulds, and other elements to grow and degrade the roof faster.
Your roofer can assess the condition of your roof and determine the proper treatment solutions required. A licensed roofer knows the safe and correct treatment your roof needs. Some treatment solutions can be harmful to your household if not handled appropriately. Therefore, it is essential to get professional service to avoid any mistakes in applying treatment solutions.
Professional Roof Repairs
Your cedar shake roof may have damages that are not easily visible. Only a skilled roofer can find these damages with the use of the proper equipment. As long as you hire a professional, you do not have to worry about these unseen damages. They will find them and recommend the appropriate repairs.
If you want your roof to protect you for at least 30 years, you need to do your part to maintain your roof. However, you also need to seek the services of trained roofers to provide you with professional maintenance services. Your cedar shake roof adds a lovely aesthetic to your home. Keep it well-maintained, and it will serve you for many more years.
Bottom Line
Comprehensive cedar shake roof maintenance is a tedious task, but it is worth all the effort. A well-maintained cedar roof can last for 30 years or more. As long as your roof lasts, you do not have to worry about the increasing cost of roof replacement.
However, cedar shake roof maintenance requires both your effort and the professional services of a roofing contractor. While you can do some quick inspection, vegetation cleaning, and gutter maintenance, some things are best left to the experts.
Elysian Construction has you covered. Check out this link to learn more about us. For your roofing needs, check out the roofing section for more information.