How to Seal Cedar Shakes
Cedar shakes, whether in the form of siding or roofing, make a beautiful addition to any home. Not only does it look attractive, cedar has a natural durability, standing up to wind, rain, cold and the sun--even after years of weathering. Cedar also acts as a natural insulator, which can help on energy costs, according to the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. With proper annual maintenance, cedar shakes will last a long, long time, both on the roof and as a siding. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic tarps
- Cleaner or stripper
- Oxalic acid-based wood cleaner
- Garden hose or power washer
- Ladder
- Oil-based or water-based wood preservative/sealant
- Zinc or copper strips
- Galvanized nails
- Hammer
Instructions
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Cover surrounding vegetation with tarp or plastic. Clean the cedar. Apply a stripping agent to the shakes, allowing the formula to penetrate according to the time recommended by the manufacturer. Use a garden hose or power washer on low to remove the stripping agent, working from the bottom up. To remove stubborn dark stains on the cedar caused by organic materials such as tannin, separately apply an oxalic acid-based wood cleaner, making sure to remove any residue with a hose after cleaning. Hire a professional if you have any doubts. Let the cedar dry for two days if using an oil-based sealant. If using a water-based sealant, apply as soon as the cedar is dry to the touch.
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Perform a splash test on several sections of the cedar after the wood dries. If the water is absorbed, the cedar is ready to be sealed. If the water beads on the top within 15 minutes, then a layer of coating is still present on the wood and has to be removed. Reapply the stripping agent, and re-rinse or wait several weeks to allow the wood to weather and retest.
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Tape and cover all trim pieces, windows, gutters and overhangs with either cardboard or plastic to prevent sealant overspray from reaching these areas.
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Apply the wood preservative/sealant to repel water and resist mildew, and to protect from UV rays, use a preservative with an added pigment. Use a 4- to 6-inch staining brush, a pump-up sprayer, a roller or an airless sprayer to apply the wood preservative. Work from the top down. Oil-based products dry with a sheen. Water-based products result in a matte finish.
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Seal the wood on a timetable recommended by the sealant manufacturer. Some companies recommend cleaning and sealing every four to six years. Nail either zinc or copper strips on a roof near the ridge cap to deter moss from settling on cedar roofs in the future.
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Tips & Warnings
Take care when cleaning your cedar, and always check with the manufacturer before using any cleaners. Also, the force of a power washer can damage the shakes so always use a low setting. When cleaning a cedar roof, climb the roof and spray downward. Spraying up underneath the shingles cannot only cause damage to the roof, it can cause the roof to leak. Wood is very slick when wet so be careful when standing on a wet roof.
