How to Maintain a Cedar Shake Roof

Remove any debris on your roof, including branches, moss and leaves. If material sits on the shakes, moisture gets trapped and can cause damage to the roof. In the same manner, trim back branches that are close to the roof, so that you get more air circulation.

Examine the roof once a year and repair broken or split shakes. Pull out the broken shakes, and replace them with new ones. Nail the new pieces in the same location as the old, ensuring that any shakes above the one you are working on overlap the top edge by at least 1 inch.

Spray a wood cleaner that contains mold killer on the shake shingles once a year. Use a pressure washer to get the stream up to the roof, or climb a ladder. If using a pressure washer, fill the hopper with the wood cleaner. Other cleaners attach to the end of a garden hose for easy application. Allow the wood cleaner to soak on the shakes for the recommended amount of time. Look at the label to know how much time is required.

Rinse the roof to remove the cleaner after time is up.

Coat the roof with a sealant every 3 or 4 years. Apply a clear or stain sealer depending on your preferences. Apply the sealer to the shakes with rollers and brushes, or use a paint sprayer for quick application.