Cedar Shake Roof - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Mike Laskowski · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

Cedar Shake Roof

AC Lockyer · Administrator

AmerSafe wrote:
A customer wants a quote on cleaning/treating his cedar shake roof and I have never cleaned one. Any suggestions on chem. concentrations, number of applications (is this a job I should plan on coming back a second time to retreat), soft wash only or soft wash with a soft brush or low pressure rinse, and process (SH and Bleach wash and/or.... other chems. specific for this application) Finally, any recommendations on pricing cedar shake roof compared to an asphalt shingle job (ex: 1.5x, 2x, etc..). Any suggestions, insights and/or warnings would be greatly appreciated.

Mike,

We address shake roofs in the roof cleaning surfaces module. You have free access to that from the Softwashapolooza event.

AC

Mike Laskowski · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

I took that module and you covered alot involving shake roofs and answered many of these questions but I was curious as to what experiences and possibly pitfalls others have had with dealing with this shingle type so I can avoid any issues not addressed specifically in the training module. By way of example, in the training module you say to treat the surface and allow mother nature to remove it however you don't mention whether or not to rinse or bleach wash during the training module. I do remember the mention of using bleach wash on cedar shake to avoid over bleaching and keep the shingle honey color but I can't recall if it is in that module or another module completely. My question then is do I spray the roof, let it dwell for a period of time and then rinse with bleach wash or would you recommend just using multiple coats of milder solutions to avoid over bleaching and not use the bleach wash actually on the roof itself?

AC Lockyer · Administrator

AmerSafe wrote:
I took that module and you covered alot involving shake roofs and answered many of these questions but I was curious as to what experiences and possibly pitfalls others have had with dealing with this shingle type so I can avoid any issues not addressed specifically in the training module. By way of example, in the training module you say to treat the surface and allow mother nature to remove it however you don't mention whether or not to rinse or bleach wash during the training module. I do remember the mention of using bleach wash on cedar shake to avoid over bleaching and keep the shingle honey color but I can't recall if it is in that module or another module completely. My question then is do I spray the roof, let it dwell for a period of time and then rinse with bleach wash or would you recommend just using multiple coats of milder solutions to avoid over bleaching and not use the bleach wash actually on the roof itself?

Def multiple coats of lighter solutions. You have alot of lichens up ther as well. You may have to watre broom the roof with a pressure washer as well.

AC

gutterdog · Sophmore Member

Using AC's method for cedar roof, I've done 2 now. I'm no expert. What I did notice, cupped shingles, the shingle below that, the black color, that is damaged wood and doesnt come clean, needs to be replaced. The first one came out perfect, was no damaged shingles.

this is the one that came out perfect.

Mike Laskowski · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

Thanks Gutterdog! Was the cupping caused by the softwash cleaning or was it preexisting. i also liked the video referral idea. Roof looked great, thanks for the insight!

gutterdog · Sophmore Member

Preexisting damage, LOOK for that first! HO was real understanding, I did hit the second cedar roof a time or 2 too many trying to get it out.

Thanks about the vid.What area do you serve?

Mike Laskowski · SoftWash Systems Pro Staff

I'm out of Connecticut with a focus along the shoreline. I need to update and include more info in my signature field. Appreciate the heads up on educating HO on preexisting conditions and expectations. I have a ton of dirty shake roofs. thanks again.

John Orrico · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Looking for some help

We have just possibly closed a proposal for a condo complex, 10 units 80 square each, all cedar shake. The board would like us to demo the pool house before they make there final decision. We have never cleaned cedar shake. Any suggestions and help would greatly be appreciated.

Thank you in advance,

John

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

We just did a large house. We sprayed 1-1/2 - 2% . It takes a long time. We rinsed then bleach washed then rinsed. Rinsing takes the longest time so you might want to budget extra guys rinsing. There will be spots missed and it it hard to see when cedar is wet. It looks better but there is still some funny looking areas and it doesnt quite look right. I didnt brush or water broom. I told the homeowner the color will even out to a grey over a few months. We will see. Here are photos

Dan Dykstra · Senior Member

1-2% max, light coats. Be sure to use plenty of BW to stop the bleaching from turning the cedar a color the homeowner does not want to see. Doing cedar roofs will take alot longer than shingle roofs, If heavy moss is present you will need to "broom" the roof a little. Once you start spraying the cedar it will be like trying to walk on ice, be careful.

John Orrico · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Thank you Tim and Dan

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

I do tons of cedar. I never broom anything off, when it comes to lichen I have found it to be just like a regular asphalt roof. The lichen and moss will come off on its own over the course of a couple months.
I drove by one I did last year that was nasty before I cleaned it, meaning it was 80 percent infested. Now it looks like a brand new roof still, except it is a silver color due to UV damage.

John Orrico · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Thanks Zach

Jason Mariano · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Hi John -

I work with cedar about 99% of the time - which is what most of the houses in my area are made with. The things that I look for are - what the customer is looking to accomplish; whether a simple cleaning, deep cleaning or preserving back to its original form. You must find out what type of sealant is on the roof. Cedar that has been stained with oil will only bring the oil to the surface when cleaning with soft wash, leaving it a gray tint. If the customer wants you to reseal the roof - you must power wash the lichen and moss off, unless they are willing to wait for about six months as it will fall off naturally.

John, feel free to call or email me. I can show you all different pictures of cedar work.

John Orrico · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Thank you Jason

I will call you on Monday.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

I just sold a cedar roof. They had a garage cleaned previously by a company that use a roof rover. He says he didnt want to use them again because the wheels caused too much damage to the wood. Just a reminder of another selling feature

John Orrico · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Need a little help. Cleaning a cedar shake roof today and the lichen and moss are dying (turning white) but we came across this new growth (photo attached) it would not die it stayed green. Has anyone come across this growth? What is it and any suggestions on how to remove it.

Thanks,

John

Zach Maynard · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

It still died, it's most likely colorfast.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

John Orrico wrote:
Need a little help. Cleaning a cedar shake roof today and the lichen and moss are dying (turning white) but we came across this new growth (photo attached) it would not die it stayed green. Has anyone come across this growth? What is it and any suggestions on how to remove it.
Thanks,
John

That is some ALIEN stuff! Add some monopersulfate to the mix!

AC