Whether it’s siding or roofing, cedar shakes can give your home a natural, rustic feel, transporting you to a cabin in the mountains no matter where you are. But cedar shakes aren’t invulnerable when it comes to wind and weather. While they can last a long time, they require proper maintenance, and that includes cedar shake cleaning.
What Are Cedar Shakes?
While you may be very familiar with vinyl siding and shingle roofing, cedar shakes are a more unusual choice for your home’s exterior. Think of cedar shakes as the wood version of shingles—thin pieces of wood acting as a natural barrier between your home and the outdoors.
When used as roofing material, cedar shakes can last up to 60 years, but that’s only if they’re properly maintained. Not cleaning and caring for your cedar shake roof properly can reduce your roof’s longevity by 40 years. So cedar shake cleaning isn’t something you can ignore!
Cedar Shake Cleaning
Cedar shake cleaning is essential, but how you go about it can also make a huge difference in the lifespan of your cedar roof and siding.
Like many porous materials, cedar shakes shouldn’t be cleaned by any aggressive method that can force water into the fibers or behind the shakes. Power washing and harsh chemicals like bleach aren’t good for the enduring health of your cedar shakes.
Softwashing, on the other hand, is the perfect method for cedar shake cleaning. Softwashing can get rid of algae and mold growth, gently restoring your cedar shakes without causing damage.
Need a Cleaner?
Here at Ocean Waves SoftWash, we are proud to offer our proprietary algae cleaning solution at both our locations in Selbyville, Delaware and Gambrills, Maryland. Call us today and look forward to extending the lifespan of your cedar shakes.