Our revised guide for cleaning a cedar roof includes:
Recommend Cleaning Schedule
How to Clean
Tips for Maintaining a Cedar Roof
Recommended cleaning schedule
For cleaning your roof, we recommend adhering to what the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (CSSB) suggests, which is cleaning and preserving your roof every 5-7 years. We recommend using an experienced professional to clean and preserve the roof if possible to prevent any damage to your roof. Applying a clear preservative can help prolong the life of the roof, and oiling or staining the roof can help maintain the original color of the cedar shingles.
How To Clean Your Cedar Roof
As explained here, we recommend avoiding using a pressure washer on your cedar roof if at all possible! A pressure washer, if too strong, can actually strip away a layer of wood from the shingle and damage the integrity of the shingle. If the roof is in need of a cleaning washing, we suggest hiring a professional to clean it, and only using a low-pressure sprayer.
Tips for Maintaining a Cedar Roof
To prolong the life of your cedar roof, we recommend keeping the roof free of debris and other items such as moss. A cedar roof needs to be able to breathe, and leaves or moss piling up on it can cause early decay. Trimming overhanging branches, removing piled up debris, cleaning gutters seasonally, and keeping to a cleaning schedule as mentioned above can help prevent this. Another tip for a longer-lasting roof is to install zinc or copper strips at the ridge cap to help deter moss and other growth.
Depending on where it is located, a cedar roof could last anywhere from 30-60+ years if properly maintained! Read FAQ about cleaning a cedar roof on the CSSB website here: https://www.cedarbureau.org/literature-education/maintenance-faq/ or contact us!