Cedar Roof Maintenance - The Unique Elements To Look For

By Author: Jordan Willis
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Cedar roofs aren't like other roofs. They are the least manufactured roofing material commonly used in North America. By "least manufactured" I mean that they are installed in the closest form to the natural resource that was harvested to create the material.

Composition shingles include gravel and asphalt, most commonly a petroleum byproduct. Tile roof often include either clay or cement. Metal roofs obviously are made of metal ores. With all of these, the material used has gone through several manufacturing steps before being in its final form. Conversely, a cedar shake has had virtually nothing done to change its natural form. All it has had done to it is being cut down in size. Occasionally, they may be treated with wood preservative.

What the means is that much less energy and resources are used and wasted in their production. It also means that their maintenance needs to take their more "organic" nature into consideration.

Cedar roofs are more prone to rot from debris setting on top of them. Once the natural oils and tannins, are leached out of the wood (usually within the first year or two), they ...
... are subject to deterioration similar to other forms of dead wood. Think of all the old branches you have seen on a forest floor covered with leaves and pine needs. They quickly start to decay. The same will occur with a cedar roof covered by needles and leaves. Therefore, more so than other roof types, the prompt removal of this debris is critical with cedar roofs.

Periodic blowing or sweeping of the debris is required. Of particular importance is a thorough cleaning of the keyway. A keyway is the name for the space between shakes, usually 3/16" to 5/8" of an inch. Debris in this area rests on top of the upper portion of the shake that is below the top shake. At this location, the shake it much thinner than it is near the butt end. The thinner shake area means less protection and more susceptibility.

Additionally, the debris in the keyway has the two top shakes on each side of it. This debris is somewhat protected from the wind as it is in it's own little trench and rarely blows away on it's own. Usually the periodic cleaning is the only way this debris will get removed. Sometimes, if it has been a long time between cleanings, keyway debris can get very packed and caked. In such cases, blowing with a backpack blower will not suffice. Either blowing using compressed air or scrapping out by hand will be required.

Next, unlike metal, tile or composition roofs, cedar roofs periodically need to have shakes replaced. Of course other roof types might need a shingle, tile or panel replaces if something damages it, such as a falling branch, but cedar shakes will eventually need a few replaced even if no accidents occur. This is primarily has do to the natural irregularities and imperfections of a building material closer to its natural state.

When replacing a shake you must be careful to not cause more damage than you are trying to correct. Always be careful of the surrounding shakes. If needed, split the shake you are removing if that helps it be pulled out without damaging its neighboring shakes. When inserting a new replacement shake, be certain that it slides above its respecting felt layer without crumpling or tearing the felt.

Finally, the nails that secure it cannot be exposed to the elements. A blind nailing is done by inserting the shake almost all the way into its final place but still protruding about ? to 1". Hammer the nails just in front of the butt end of the shake resting on top of the newly inserted shake. Nail them at a 45-degree angle until all the way down. Then, gently tap the front of the new shake and as it slides under the shake on top of it, the nails become closer to vertical and their heads move underneath the top shake, thus becoming "blind."

Finally, it is time to clean the pollutants out of the wood and preserve it. This could portion could be an article unto itself. The most common methods are to either power wash the roof and then apply a wood preservative and moss preventative or apply a cedar cleaning solution that gently cleans the roof over time and also preserves the wood and deters the moss.

After years of experience, I am of the opinion that unless there is an urgent need to have an immediate result, power washing should be avoided and the treatment cleaning method used. The primary reason for this is the respective abrasiveness and gentleness of each method. Power washing, even with customized high water volume, lower pressure equipment still removes a layer of wood fiber. Repeatedly done, the shakes will be worn thin from the very process done to preserve the roof! Treatment cleaning has no abrasive aspects to it so it maintains more of the roof's life. The only tradeoff is that it takes several months to obtain its final result.

You may be wondering why subject yourself to the unique maintenance needs of a cedar roof? The reason is actually right in front of your eyes. Beauty. No other material has been able to match the beauty of a cedar roof. This beauty is often reflected in a higher resale value of the home. Consider the analogy of a hardwood floor to a simple linoleum floor. The linoleum is cheaper and easier to maintain. But the hardwood is more beautiful and ads much more value to the home.

Plus, a properly maintained, quality cedar roof can last as long as many other roofing materials. Cedar roofs are installed on skip sheathing that has gaps between the boards. This spacing creates a more breathable, better ventilated roofing system which can help with maintaining better interior temperatures and avoid subsequent mold and mildew issues. All in all, cedar roofing is an excellent choice. Awareness of the unique maintenance needs of your cedar roof will help you maximize its life.

All Surface Cleaning Company is an award winning, Portland Oregon family owned business. We are one of two closely interrelated divisions. All Surface Cleaning Company works primarily on roof cleaning, restoring roofs, decks, gutters, and All Surface Roofing and Construction is involved in slightly larger projects, such as roof, gutter and retractable awning installation and replacement. Call 503-590-9274 for the best Portland Roofing Company.