Seven Important Tips For Maintaining Your Wood Shingle Roofs

By Author: Scott Hileman
Total Articles: 1
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Wood shingle roofs were once treated as one of the special kinds of roofing systems. They have now become a top choice for home owners who don’t seem satisfied with common roofing systems like slate or asphalt shingle roofs. Most of the building professionals and architects prefer wood shingle roofing for its beauty and natural appeal. It not only suits the surrounding area but also improves the landscape.

Wooden shingles cost more but they give better performance in regions where possibility of damage is more due to high speed wind or hailstones. Though they are susceptible to splitting, rotting and warping, still you can avoid them all with perfect care and maintenance.

An average slate or asphalt roof usually requires less maintenance when it is installed on the root top. They start to degrade under the effects of rain, sunlight, wind and snow. By controlling the moss, you can be sure that this roof lasts for long time which can’t get extended further. However, good care and maintenance can help increase the life of wood shingle roofs, as reported by affordableroofrepair.com, the reliable ...
... and speedy roof repair service company on the West Coast area. Make sure a good roof care program is in effect as it will increase the life of your roof and help you save in cents or dollars by making your roof plan cost-efficient.

Many expert roofing contractors like www.aschroofing.com, www.maggioroofing.com and rooflife-oregon.com often recommend some useful tips that would keep your wood shingle roofing in good condition and make it last a few years more. They are as follows:

Tip 1 –
Keep your gutter free of waste and remove any hanging tree branches from your roofing to keep the shingles in good condition. Use chlorine with water or any other cleaning solvent to clear molds, lichen and moss.

Tip 2 -
Whether your wood shingle roofs are made of red cedar or any other variety, don’t leave it uncovered. Apply preservative chemicals with a brush to prevent them from rot or damage. Also keep an additional bundle of wood shingles during roof installation so that they can be used later.

Tip 3 –
If the shingles get curled, you can make it flat by keeping under any heavy object or brick before fixing it to the roof cement again. You can show the curled ends to the flame coming out from the nozzle of a propane torch to help them get heat and softened as well. Avoid showing it in excess flame and burning it finally. Make the edges flat while they are warm and use cement to them before putting back on the roof once again.

Tip 4 –
If there are small cracks on shingles, think of repairing them than going for a replacement. Take out loose chips and use galvanized roof nails to pin down the remaining large particles. Make sure the nail heads don’t pierce into the roof surface otherwise it might get damaged. Apply roof cement on both the nail head and crack on shingles.

Tip 5 –
For large size cracks you should take a sheet metal for patching. Drive the metal sheet metal under the cracked wooden shingle, until the upper surface of the patch goes beyond the top edge of the leak or crack. Pin down the roofing particles with galvanized nails, being push them hard inside the shingle, otherwise the surface might get damaged. Cover the patched crack and nails with roof cement materials.

Tip 6 –
Pull down and out all the shingles that can’t get repaired. Apply your fingers to move them and keep the adjacent ones unaffected.

Tip 7-
Remove all the broken shingles and cut the nails that are holding them with the hacksaw. But don’t harm the deck lying underneath.

If you want to gather more details regarding the maintenance and care of your wood shingle roof, then feel free to contact www.aschroofing.com and Affordable Roof Repair at anytime. They will guide you with more simple and easy tips and roofing solutions.