The Damage Power Washing Cedar Shakes Can Inflict When used on cedar, they actually strip away wood fibers from the shingles, which dramatically shortens the lifespan of the roof. In many cases, power washing a cedar roof is actually worse for your long-term investment than not cleaning the shingles at all.

Can you clean a cedar shake roof?

Cedar shingles and shakes can last decades with very little maintenance. To ensure the longevity of your cedar roofing and siding, it should be cleaned every five to seven years. An effective cleaning will not only restore that warm color, it will increase the overall life expectancy of your roof and siding.

Can you use a pressure washer on cedar?





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.

What is the best way to clean cedar shakes?

The Cedar Bureau recommends using a solution no stronger than one-part bleach to three parts water. Apply it with a pump sprayer and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing it off with a garden hose. Be sure to keep the hose pointed downward to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles.

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.

Can you soft wash cedar shingles?


Quote from Youtube video: So it is natural that most cedar homeowners immediately gravitate to having their house soft washed soft wash sounds appropriate.

How do you clean moss off 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.

Why does cedar turn black?

The most common culprits are tannins, mildew, and mold. Tannins ordinarily leach from cedar wood, and do not normally cause any problems. However, when tannins mix with metal and iron, a chemical reaction occurs and a black stain can form. Cedar, along with any other wood, is a natural habitat for mildew and mold.

Is it OK to power wash wood siding?

Cleaning wood siding



A high-pressure power washer can dent metal, and on wood, it can force water under the surface, which can damage a piece of wood siding. It can also damage whatever is under the wood siding and potentially cause mold.

How do you use cedar wash?

Apply the Cedar Wash solution starting at the bottom of the wall and work your way up. Work only an area big enough so that the Cedar Wash is on the wall for about 10 to 15 minutes. Gently scrub the wall with a soft bristled brush to remove stubborn stains and heavily soiled areas.

How do you pre stain cedar shingles?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You pour a oil penetrating stain into the recycling bin and you dip. The entire bundle of shingles. And what this does is the stain penetrates up into the shingles.

Should you seal cedar shakes?

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.

Should you stain cedar shakes?

Staining cedar shake siding not only offers you the chance to customize the color of your home, but when you apply it carefully, a good stain helps protect the wood and keep it looking new for years.

Can you stain cedar shake roof?



While paints and stains can be added during installation, having it done the first time during the manufacturing process is best because all sides of the shingle or shake can be coated. Painted or stained cedar roofing needs to be maintained with frequent repainting or restaining.

Do you need to prime cedar shakes before staining?

You’ll have to remove the mildew and prime the wood with a stain-blocking primer. You can prime and paint new shingles as soon as you have installed them, but since weathering can quickly alter the paintability of wood, if you don’t get to the job within two weeks, you’ll have to recondition the wood fibers.

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.

How long does cedar shake roof last?

30 years



As long as it’s properly installed and with proper maintenance, you can expect to get 30 years of life out of your cedar shake roof. If you invest in quality materials and live in an area with the right conditions, you could possibly get up to 50 years out of it.

Are cedar shakes hard to maintain?

Require More Maintenance



The biggest issue with cedar shake siding is the amount of maintenance that it requires. Cedar shakes require regular cleaning to keep them free from things like moss, algae, and mold. They also require surface treatments to protect from things like the elements, moisture, insects, and fire.

Do cedar shingles turn grey?

Left unfinished, cedar shingles will change color, gradually turning into that familiar weathered gray. The color of naturally weathered shingles can vary greatly based on exposure to moisture, sunlight, and salt water.

What is the difference between a cedar shake and shingle?

Cedar shakes are split off while shingles are sawn smooth on both sides and cut tapered. Lastly, shakes are thicker than shingles. Durability – Generally speaking, cedar shakes are more durable and last longer than shingles because they are thicker and made from premium grade wood.

Do cedar shingles darken over time?



Both red and white cedar shingles will turn gray when treated with bleaching stain. In the end, red shingles will be a bit darker gray than the white cedar.