Weekly Home Information Guide
SHAKE/SHINGLE ROOF
Safety first! Have a reliable person know of your entry onto any roof area. Other than the crawl area the roof can be one of the hardest areas to inspect.
Cedar shakes and shingles have been the most popular roofing material for a very long time. They have stood the test of time under many types of climates. Properly installed and maintained these types are very well adapted to our climate. In simple terms shingles are sawn on both sides and have a smooth appearance and the shakes typically, have a rough surface on both sides. Both types vary in width and length and are suited for different applications to give a pleasing appearance to the roof.
The lifespan of any cedar roof is directly related to its maintenance, site conditions, ventilation, quality, application and thickness. Cedar, being organic, needs to breathe. We have seen some roofs last well into 30 – 35 years and others fail in as little as 8 years. The older the home the more likely that at some time it was a shingle roof and possibly with a composition shingle overlaid. Ventilation plays a big part in keeping the cedar roof in good condition as the more air that you circulate around the roof from the attic helps keep both sides dryer. This inhibits moss, lichen, mildew, fungi and algae buildup.
The first line of defense of course is to keep all penetrations sealed and caulked to prevent any leaks or other moisture entry. Maintaining the roof can be as easy as brushing the needle/leaf debris off the surface or a major repair. Clean every roof at least yearly paying particular attention to the roof penetrations, as this is where most expansion and contraction occur. Lack of maintenance will prematurely age the roof surface and may cause a leak. Hand cleaning between each shake or shingle is both time consuming and costly. The better approach is to carefully pressure wash the moss/algae buildup. This is a job for the professional cedar roofer/restorer.
Galvanized flashings and the application of zinc strips near each peak of the roof will help control the moss. A mild solution of TSP hand sprayed on the surface and then washed down with fresh water will control the algae growth. Bleach can be used to some degree but be cautioned that it may harm the plants and bushes on the ground below. We have seen the use of copper wires as well.
The replacement of a shingle or shake is a matter of straight forward removal, cleaning any debris, replacing the interlay felt if needed and inserting one of the same dimensions. The hot dipped galvanized nails should be used and caulked if exposed to the weather.
All overhanging branches and limbs should be trimmed well away from the roof areas. High winds, heavy rains, wet snow loads and people walking on them all have a direct effect on the longevity of the roof. Never walk on the roof if at all possible.
Even in summer the dry weather can make the shake/shingle brittle and may split under the weight and any resultant leak will not be discovered until it rains.
All ridge shakes/shingles should be well secured, never walked on, have a strip of galvanizing under them and have the same coverage as the main roof exposure.
The steeper the roof, the thicker the shake, the longer the roof will last. Most deterioration will occur on the shadow side of the roof and nearer the bottom edge.
Cleaning all valleys and gutters at least twice yearly is strongly recommended.
Another concern is ice damming. This occurs when the freeze-thaw cycle happens. The first indication is the icicles. The daytime temperatures melt the snow and the nighttime temperatures refreeze the trapped water at the eave overhang. Insufficient attic insulation and/or attic ventilation can cause roof snow to melt and slide down to the eaves, where the roof surface is cooler and the melting snow refreezes to the roof. Subsequent melting causes water to pool behind this snow dam and sometimes the water seeps between the shingle or shake layers thus wetting the roof deck and possibly the walls and ceilings below. Exterior heating coils will aid in preventing ice damming temporally or by manually clearing the bottom area of the eaves. Proper ventilation is the only real remedy.
All roof penetrations and their flashings should be monitored at lest twice yearly especially on older roofs. Have any deteriorated areas repaired or replaced before any real damage occurs.
A regular roof inspection will greatly reduce any surprises by finding any problems before they become major headaches.
We recommend qualified tradespeople do all tasks, as they offer quality materials, proper installation requirements and most important a written guarantee.
Know that, for peace of mind, the care and attention you give your home will serve you well year after year and in comfort.