How to Clean a Cedar Shake Roof
Cedar shake are shingles crafted out of cedar that you can install onto your roof to get a wood-like appearance. Like other shingles, after years of use, cedar shakes can collect dirt, and the roof that they cover will begin to look dirty. You can keep a cedar shake roof looking its best by cleaning the shakes occasionally. Most homeowners can handle typical cleaning methods for a cedar shake roof on their own, but if the roof is really dirty, a professional may be able to help. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Garden hose
- Laundry detergent
- Oxygen bleach
- Water
- Bucket
- Soft brush
- Power washer
Instructions
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Spray the roof off with a garden hose. Use a ladder to elevate yourself to the top section of the roof and spray from the top of the roof downward. Do not spray a hose upward from the ground, because water will get up under the shakes and leak into your home, according to Ask the Builder, or may cause mildew to form. A garden hose on the highest spray level often provides enough force to clean the dirt from the roof without damage to the shakes.
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Make a solution of 1 oz. laundry detergent, 1 qt. bleach and 3 qt. water to remove mold and mildew from cedar shakes, according to Bob Vila. Pour some of the solution over each spot of mold or mildew and gently remove the mold or mildew with a soft brush. When you have removed the mold or mildew, use a hose to spray the remaining solution off the surface of the shake.
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Rent a power washer if you have experience using one. Though a power washer offers the same general cleaning technique as a garden hose, the force behind the washer is far stronger and can remove dirt that a garden hose cannot. Like with the hose, get to the top level of the roof and angle the hose so that you spray water downward. If you do not know how to use a power washer safely, you should pay someone who knows how to use the washer to prevent damage to the cedar shakes.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use commercial bleach on the cedar shakes on your roof. Commercial bleach not only changes the color of cedar shakes, but can damage the shakes so that they can no longer keep water out. Ask the Builder recommends using oxygen bleach, which is safe for cedar shakes and the environment.
