Cedar shake roofs provide a unique accent to any home. They are a beautiful fixture that if treated properly can last a very long time. Unfortunately, many homeowners aren't aware that there is maintenance involved with owning a cedar shake roof. A roof clean should be completed every 8-10 years to extend the lifetime of your cedar shake roof. A typical issue with cedar shake roofs is the build-up of algae, fungi, mildew, moss, and lichen. It is important to ensure these organic elements are removed as they feed on the wood. If properly cared for, a cedar roof can last up to 40-50 years. ​

​

Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning

​ 

There is only one proper way to clean a cedar shake roof: Soft washing. This method utilizes wood friendly chemicals to remove all unwanted growth out from the cedar shakes such as algae, mildew, mold, lichen, etc. Depending on the solution used, it can also remove old stains and oils as well. *Notice* we do NOT use high pressure to do any cleaning. Using a pressure tip to clean the wood can strip fiber, and remove natural oils from the wood that will cause the cedar shakes to become dry and brittle. Our soft wash process utilizes a stream of water that is comparable to a garden hose. Once the cleaning is done, an acid is applied to the wood to boost PH balance and to brighten everything up. This two step process can make your cedar shake roof look years younger and remove the toughest of stains. Once the roof clean is completed we apply an oil to the roof to rehydrate everything. 

​

Frequently Asked Questions

​ 

• How expensive is a cedar roof clean?

          - Prices vary on the age of the roof, when (if ever) a clean was done, the build-up of organic material, whether or not there is any stain or oil that needs to be stripped, the size of the home, and the pitch of the roof. Typically, average prices range from 2000.00 to 8000.00 CAD.  

​

• Is the solution you use safe for my garden?

          - The solution we use eliminates organic matter, so we ensure to pre-treat your garden. In some cases, we may bring tarps to cover up delicate plants. Although we can't guarantee nothing will wilt, generally most plants come back next season. Please keep in mind - we try our hardest to preserve everything and in 99% of cases everything is fine!

​

• How do you provide estimates?

          - Typically we are able to measure out your roof via satellite and just require a few photos of different sides of your home to determine what kind of growth is currently on the roof. An onsite visit may be required, but is not always necessary.

​

• What happens if I just leave my roof and don't do anything?

          - Simply leaving a cedar roof alone and not getting it cleaned will almost certainly lead to an early replacement. If cedar shake are left unattended the bacteria on the wood will cause it to fall apart and decay. We have heard many stories of cedar roofs having to be replaced after just 12-15 years. The cost to replace a roof is quite steep - so imagine just paying a fraction of that price and extending the woods lifetime to 30+ years.