All Surface Cleaning Company

Cedar roofs are definitely unique and require their own, special way of maintaining them.   This brief article on maintaining your cedar shake roof, is quite applicable for anyone owning a cedar shake roof in the Portland Metro area.    – Tom

Maintaining Your Cedar Shake Roof

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts]Chris Smitts

A cedar roof can give buildings a lovely natural appearance, and while wood is somewhat resistant to adverse weather effects, it experiences somewhat more of them than most other roofing materials.

If you have a roof made of a material like cedar shake maintenance is going to be a routine part of the upkeep of your roof. Most minor repairs can be done with basic tools and knowledge, and in this article we’ll go over the general aspects of basic upkeep for your wooden roof.

The first thing to do in cedar shake maintenance, as with any type of roof maintenance, is to clear off any excess debris that may have accumulated. Debris, especially of the organic variety like tree branches, leaves, garbage and dirt, can help water accumulate on the roof, thus causing damage to sealants and under layers.

Fungus and algae are a common problem on cedar shake roofing, and should be cleared off after debris. Flashings, which are long, thin strips of metal that are used to waterproof seams and angles, should be checked for holes or damage and replaced if necessary. Gutters and drains can also get clogged with debris and kept from working properly, and should be cleared out.

If there are overhanging tree branches, they should be trimmed back to minimize the amount of debris. Cedar shake maintenance will sometimes require you to check the chimney mortar and the mortar on surrounding surfaces, but if it is damaged it will likely require the attention of a professional mason.

The open valley metal should be checked for rust, and if rust is present, it should be brushed with wire and then primed, repainted, and coated with a protector.

There are numerous other hazards that can damage wooden roofing, such as falling heavy debris, which can crack or completely break cedar shake tiles. Cedar shake maintenance consists largely of keeping an eye on your roof for any signs of damage, and doing a few routine checks a year to look for water damage or cracked shingles.

If you do find broken tiles, a professional repair team can replace them, and if symptoms of roof damage like leaking are apparent without any noticeable damage to the roof, the layer beneath the shingles themselves may be damaged. A repair team can also remove tiles and repair the layer underneath, then place the tiles back into their original positions, unharmed. You will find more information and local contractors by visiting our website.

Author Chris Smitts has many other roofing articles on his website. His website is a roofing resource guide, helping those who want to learn more about roofing. You can visit the website at http://www.metal–roofing.net

Copyright info: This article can be reproduced and duplicated only in its exact state with our website link attached.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts http://EzineArticles.com/?Maintaining-Your-Cedar-Shake-Roof&id=2011069

If youhave a cedar shake roof, live in the Portland Metro area,  and are uncertain whether or not it needs maintenance or replacement, please give us a call.   We have two divisions;  All Surface Cleaning Company for roof maintenance and All Surface Roofing and Construction for roof replacement .

Tags: cedar, cedar shake, portland oregon, roof, Roof Cleaning, roof installation, roof leak, roof maintainence, roof maintenance, roof moss, roof repair, roof replacement, roofer, roofing