In autumn, the leaves begin to drop from the trees, the angle of the sun become lower in the sky and, of course, the temperatures also begin to decline; All good reasons the season is called “fall.” Debris, shade and cool, moist conditions set the stage for moss and mildew to grow on your cedar roof in both spring and autumn though.
Don’t let debris sit on your cedar roof
Why Moss Grows on Cedar
According to Moss Acres, a company encouraging the use of moss as a groundcover, if you want moss to flourish you need to supply four things:
- Adequate moisture
- Shade
- Humidity
- Soil pH/soil type
In addition to the abundant moisture and shade provided by these seasons, cedar, which grows in acidic soil, is sometimes thought to have a lower pH, another preferred condition for moss. The site also note that moss is resilient, has no known pests or disease, can tolerate extremes in temperature and moisture levels. “Even during periods with severe cold,” their site notes, “moss, unlike grass, remains a dark green color. Excessive heat or lack of rainfall, also have no permanent effect.”
How to Safely Remove Moss From your Roof
So what can you do? While some sites recommend harsh homemade chemical treatments and power-washing we strongly advise against action being taken by anyone but a cedar preservation professional. In the wrong hands a power washer can damage the shake/shingle wood exposure. Using the proper wood restorer, the correct pressure and the right fan tip, power washing is the only way to completely clean older roofs. The experts at The Cedar Roof Company have the knowledge necessary to correctly evaluate and properly clean and protect your cedar roof from moss, mold and mildew damage.
Since 1993, The Cedar Roof Company and our treatment process designed specifically for cedar roofs have proven to save our customers in both avoidable repairs and premature roof replacement. Homeowners who choose to preserve their roof keep their roof. Preservation holds benefits for those with new cedar roofs as well as those with older wood roofs.
The process for older roofs begins with treatment by a weathered wood restorer followed by a thorough yet safe cleaning service to the roof’s cedar shakes and shingles. The gentle power washing removes dirt, mold, mildew, moss and dead wood fibers bringing the roof back to a rich “new” appearance without causing damage to the wood.
Only trust a cedar roof professional to clean your roof
Cleaning Your Cedar Roof is not Enough
In the second stage, experienced and skilled technicians operate a high-volume, low-pressure spray unit to evenly and precisely coat the entire cedar roof surface with Amteco’s TWP (Total Wood Preservative) 200, a one-coat penetrating treatment designed specifically for cedar shake and shingle roofs. This protective coating penetrates the cedar shakes and shingles deeply to provide outstanding weather protection, while still allowing the cedar to breath. The coating prevents both cedar shakes and shingles from checking, cupping, curling, splitting and decay while its water repellent blend is guaranteed never to crack or peel.
Fall is the time for change. The leaves are turning colors, don’t let your roof stay green. The preservation coating comes in three natural cedar selections including a timeless Weathered Gray, a classic shade of Nantucket Gray and a Cedartone that enhances the look of new cedar. The Cedar Roof Company is the only company to trust with the cleaning and treatment of your roof, whether you’re thinking of cleaning and preserving your wood roof for the first time or planning on Re-Coating your roof to retain the benefits of your Five-Year Limited Leak & Repair Guarantee.
