By Paul Bianchina
For centuries, one of the most popular roofing materials has been cedar shakes and shingles, and there are countless houses all over the country that still have this beautiful style of wood roofing. Cedar shakes and shingles are naturally weather resistant and are quite durable - life spans of 25 years or more are fairly common - but there are a few things you can do to help extend the useful life of the shakes even further.
Remember that any roof maintenance requires that you be up on the roof itself. Always take the proper precautions with ladders and safety equipment, and don't overextend your reach or place yourself in precarious positions. If you are not comfortable up there, don't go - hire a professional to do the work for you.
Be Careful Up There
First of all, it pays to remember that one of the most damaging things to any roofing material, especially wood, is people being on them. And unfortunately, summer is the worst time to be on them, but it's also the time when most people want to be doing maintenance.
Cedar shakes and shingles are, of course, natural wood. As such, they will absorb moisture, swell, and become slightly softer and more pliable during the winter. During hot summer months, the wood will dry out, becoming harder and more brittle. Also, as wood shakes and shingles age, they tend to curl upward at the edges, increasing their brittleness even more.
Roof maintenance is best done during the spring, or during times of extended cool, moist weather. During the summer, early morning hours are better than late afternoon. Wear appropriate shoes, such as tennis shoes, which will offer you flexibility and a good grip while having less impact on the wood then heavy boots.
As you move around, watch where you place your feet. Step as close to the center of the shake as possible, avoiding the more brittle ends and edges. Also, place your feet as flat as you can - pressing with your toes increases the pressure and directs the weight over a smaller area. The same applies to kneeling down, and to the placement of any heavy tools or materials you're taking up there.
Cleaning
Your first and perhaps most important general maintenance step is a simple cleaning. Using a push broom, sweep off accumulated leaves, pine needles, and heavy buildups of dirt that could slow down the natural flow of rain off the roof and lead to leaks. Work from the top down, sweeping in the direction of the shingles. Do not sweep across the shingles or up at them from below, which can catch the shingle and potentially loosen it. Never clean the roof by spraying it with a garden hose or pressure washer. This can easily force water up under the shingles, and the wet roofing becomes very hazardous for you to work on.
As you work, pay attention to the gaps between the shakes or shingles, which are called keyways. The keyways are part of the roof's natural "gutter" system, helping to channel water to the ground. If the keyways are blocked with debris, carefully clean them out with a stiff brush or dull putty knife. Avoid sharp blades that can damage the wood.
Remove any tree limbs that are scraping against the roof, or that overhang it enough to causing heavy shaded areas or heavy buildups of leaves or needles. Check gutters as you go, and clean or repair them as necessary. Also, if you have a roof with multiple levels, the downspouts from an upper level gutter should never dump directly onto the roof below - the heavy, direct flow of water can damage the wood and lead to leaks. Instead, direct downspouts all the way to the ground.
Also as you go, check the condition of roof vents. Vents provide the air supply that keeps your attic cool, and to get the maximum life out of any type of shingle you want to be certain that no debris is blocking off that airflow. Check also for cracking, rusting, flashing damage, or other problems that could lead to leaks around the vents.
Mold and mildew are a fairly common problem on wood roofs. Left untreated, the growth can lift the shingles and allow easy entry for water, and will also break down the wood itself. Heavy buildups of mold can be initially removed with a stiff broom or putty knife. Once again, work with the shingles and avoid gouging into them or getting under them and lifting them up.
After the heaviest buildups are removed, spot-clean the affected area with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP), mild detergent, bleach and water. TSP is available at paint stores and home centers, and there are mixing directions on the package.
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