Do you have a cedar shake roof? Are you wondering if a cedar shake roof needs maintenance?
A cedar shake roof is one of the most expensive roofing materials available in residential roofing. So, of course you want it to last as long as possible.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen too many homeowners have expensive problems or their cedar shake roof’s life cut short for one simple reason: they neglected it. I don't want this to happen to you.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners maximize their roof investment with transparent information. Now, I'll break down everything you need to understand about cedar shake roof maintenance.
By the end of this article, you'll learn the answers to:
- Does a cedar shake roof need maintenance? (and how a roofer does it)
- Why does a cedar shake roof need maintenance?
- How often does a cedar shake roof need maintenance?
Does a cedar shake roof need maintenance?
Yes, just like every type of roofing material, a cedar shake roof needs maintenance. This is simply the best way to keep track of your roof’s condition, especially vulnerable and leak-prone areas.
On top this, it's also the best way to keep track of your cedar shake roof’s age and know when it’s time for a roof replacement. However maintenance is much more than that just a general inspection.
Let’s look at everything a roofing contractor does when maintaining a cedar shake roof.
Inspect the condition of the cedar shakes
Obviously, the first things a roofer does during cedar shake roof maintenance is checking the condition of cedar shakes themselves. Cedar shakes rot, crack, curl, and lose the fresh cedar look as they age.
If they're left alone too long, the cracking or curling can lead to a roof leak. So, checking the overall condition of cedar shake shingles and replacing any problematic ones is a crucial piece of cedar shake roof maintenance.
Fortunately, aging should mainly be an aesthetic issue with no functionality problems as long as you invest in quality materials and workmanship.
Smaller repairs
If you get cedar shake roof maintenance through a program with a roofer, the cost of small repairs is usually included. This not only saves you money but also stops future problems before they become expensive and cause interior damage.
However, it varies by the roofing contractor. Some may offer discounts on the repairs, while some may do them on the spot for free and let you know afterward.
So, ask the roofing contractor what happens if they find problems when maintaining your cedar shake roof on the front end.
Check pipe boots
Pipe boots are a neoprene (synthetic rubber) flashing installed around plumbing or vent pipes that come through a roof. Over time, cracks form and can allow water to follow the pipe into your home.
All pipe boots (and flashing around other penetrations) on a cedar shake roof are checked during roof maintenance and replaced if needed. This is one of (if not the most) common roof leaks in residential roofing because boots won’t outlast the roof system.
However, staying on schedule with maintenance catches them before leaks can cause interior damage and lead to expensive drywall repairs.
Inspect roof flashing
Roof flashing is metal installed in areas where shingles butt up against something (walls, chimneys, valleys, skylights, etc.) to direct water away from areas prone to leaks. It’s one of the most crucial roofing components, and every roof must have it in the right areas.
During cedar shake roof maintenance, the roofing contractor inspects the metal for rusting, damage, or installation issues. You can’t imagine the amount of water that leaks into a home’s interior from failed or damaged flashing.
So, ensuring there are no issues with roof tune ups can save you thousands of dollars in potential damage and repairs.
Remove sitting debris
One of the most important things including in roof maintenance is removing any debris sitting on the cedar shakes, especially in roof valleys. If leaves, sticks, and other debris build up, a dam forms on your roof that doesn’t allow water to drain down your roof properly.
This causes water to back up, get under the cedar shakes and leak inside your home through the path of least resistance. Removing debris blockage is one thing, but they’ll also remove any piles of debris just sitting on the roof.
Debris becomes oversaturated the longer it sits, which damages and shortens the lifespan of cedar shakes. It also encourages moss growth or termites that eat away at the natural wooden materials.
Look for signs of animal intrusion
Attics are the perfect safe place for squirrels, raccoons, and other small animals. Unfortunately, they gain access through your roof or roof line by creating large holes.
Creating leaks is bad enough, but they can also severely damage your home by chewing on the electrical wiring and creating a biohazard with their waste. While they won’t remove them, a roofing contractor looks for signs of animal intrusion while maintaining your cedar shake roof.
Check if roof vents are functioning properly
One of the most important things a roofing contractor does during cedar shake roof maintenance is checking the roof vents. They’ll make sure the vents are fully functioning and there are no blockages preventing air flow.
Your attic’s ventilation system and its roof vents are crucial to a roof’s lifespan. If they can’t do the job properly, your cedar shake roof will fail prematurely, your energy bills will increase, and health hazards like mold can thrive.
Why does a cedar shake roof need maintenance?
At this point, you know the a cedar shake roof needs maintenance and what a roofer does when performing maintenance. But why is maintaining your cedar shake roof actually important?
Let’s look at the main reasons why roof maintenance is important and why it’s worth the investment.
Maintaining your cedar shake roof catches problems
The biggest reason to maintain your cedar shake roof is to catch and prevent future problems. This is the best way to avoid minor issues becoming expensive problems that cause interior damage.
It gets even more expensive if there are multiple leaks, plus you’ll also have to pay for roof repairs and worry about potential mold in your attic from the excess moisture. That's a lot of stress, frustration, and money spent on something that could’ve been avoided by maintaining your cedar shake roof.
Maintenance maximizes your cedar shake roof’s life
A cedar shake roof is a huge investment, so taking care of it and ensuring it lasts as long as possible makes sense. Roof maintenance maximize a cedar shake roof’s life, which means longer protection and more ROI out of your original investment.
With proper installation and attic ventilation, a cedar shake roof should last around 30 years. With regular maintenance, you’ll reach this lifespan and maybe even past it.
Regular roof tune ups give you peace of mind
The two reasons to maintain a cedar shake roof we've covered combine into the most important reason: peace of mind. And just like a properly installed roof and hiring a great roofer, maintaining your cedar shake roof provides peace of mind for decades.
Every time get maintenance, potential problems are caught, it gets a clean bill of health, and you learn how much life is left. Even if you need repairs, there’s no stress because they'll be taken care of before they become serious.
How often does a cedar shake roof need maintenance?
I always recommend maintaining your cedar shake roof up at least once a year. I even think getting it twice a year when Spring goes to Fall and Winter goes to Spring is worth it.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide how often to do it. The important thing is that you keep your roof finely tuned with regular check ups to maximize your cedar shake roof’s lifespan and save you money in the long run.
How long does a cedar shake roof actually last?
At the end of the day, maintaining your cedar shake roof give you peace of mind of knowing how your roof is doing and that you have nothing to worry about. That way, the next time a big rainstorm hits, you can sit back and relax because you don’t have to worry about water getting in.
Even if you don’t want to sign up for a maintenance program, at least call your roofing contractor to come out every year for an inspection. After all, roof maintenance maximizes your cedar shake investment.
But even if it’s maximized, how long will your cedar shake roof actually last?
Check out How Long a Cedar Shake Roof Lasts To learn how much life you’ll get out of your cedar shake investment.
