Cedar Roof Cleaning

[clt_gocougs]

I've been reading this forum for about a week now and I'm getting some great info. Thanks everyone!! I have a few more questions that hopefully someone can answer. I live in the Seattle suburbs where the cedar roofs are wet for a major portion of the year so I'm looking for the absolute top of the line in terms of performance (i.e. best cleaners, best treatments, etc..) What would you guys recommend as the best treatment after the roof is cleaned and PW.

1) In terms of safety harness' and tieing off to the house, what do you guys use? I can't figure out how one would tie off to the existing ceder roof without damaging the roof.

2) Where do get most of your chemicals, treatments (local shop, internet site,etc..)?

3) What have you found to be the best way to apply all the treatments (cleaners, brighteners and sealers)?

I hope you all can help out! Thanks!

[tropical wave]

Click the TimberPro banner on the main page.....hopefully Brian will chime in and give you all the info you need on his products........ welcome aboard

[clt_gocougs]

Thanks for your reply.....I'm more interested in everyone's actual application of the products. I'm specifically interested in roof cleaning and pressure washing and how you go about applying (not so much decks).

In other words, I want to hear how those with experience go about a job from start to finish when it comes to PW a roof. I'm just getting started and I'm trying to learn as quickly as I can. All help is greatly appreciated!

[laroyw]

Get hold of Frank or Judy at Wood Iron in Arvada, CO. They have a video available that covers cedar roof cleaning. You can get their number at www.woodiron.com.

[rfitz]

I have tried alot of different ways to clean a cedar shake roof, and the best method I have found and safest is to use a chicken hook on a 24 ft aluminum ladder, here is how it works it bolts on the top of your ladder, and the chicken hook grabs the peak of the roof, so your feet never touch the shingles you just walk up and down the ladder that is laying on the roof and wash sections at a time, and sitting on the peak you just move the ladder down and do the next section, we wash with a sodium percarb, brighten with oxalic acid, allow 2-3 days dry time and stain with ready seal..

Hope this helps

[Alpha Craft]

Rfitz you must have a death wish!! Get insurance and rent a self propelled aerial lift. After you wash it and brighten it...Cut the first three feet around the edges with a brush and then spray it out. If you try to spray the edges you'll get over spray on the gutters and the fascia boards. I guarantee it! I suppose you could mask the gutters but, that would be a waste of time and materials. Always use Ready Seal on roofs because the temperature of the wood is much hotter and linseed based will flash. You can count on running a spread rate of 75 sq ft per gallon if you're putting on right.

As far as tools..Shurflo pumps out of 50 gallon tanks for both chems and sealer.

(percarb, wash, oxalic)

It's a good idea to let your client know that aerial lifts weigh in around 16,000 pounds and you WILL be leaving tractor marks in the lawn.

In summer weather roofs can be sealed the day after washing. They dry out much faster than decks as the wood is thinner and catches more sun throughout the day.

I'll add that starting in the morning on the east side is the best. It let's the sun follow you as you work which helps everything dry out faster. Follow the same pattern when you seal it.

[WoodChuck]

I agree with the lift bit, as that would be tyour safest option.


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