Commonly asked questions for cedar roofs include does my cedar roof need replaced if it is growing moss or lichen? The answer is not usually. If a cedar roof is curling or falling off than this is the time to repair or replace it. One of the benefits of a wood roof are that individual shingles can be replaced. They do not always match the existing shingle but over the period of one to two years the shingle colors will usually start to match due to oxidation from sunlight. In most cases wood roofs that have started to turn black, grey or are visibly growing moss or lichen can be treated with a cleaning process that kills the growth on the roof and the roof can be restored to near its original luster.
In the case of roofs turning black with the growth of gloeocapsa magma bacteria, the roof can generally be cleaned with a no pressure treatment process that does not require rinsing. In the case of wood roofs growing moss or lichen the same treatment can be used and must contain a bleaching agent along with a fungicide and algaecide treatment. Some contractors will want to use a pressure washer or use a brush to remove the moss and lichen. This can be done, but must be done at precise pressures by an accredited contractor. In a case were a wood sealant is to be used after cleaning low pressure washing is recommended to remove any loose debris prior to sealant application. In the cases were no sealant is wanted than Accuwash recommends that the infested panels or entire roof be treated with the above mentioned solutions and left for the rain to remove the dead treated substances on the roof. Accuwash has found this to be the safest for the longevity of the roof. For those seeking instant results moss and lichen can be removed or loosened with a pressure washer or brush. Pressure washing to rinse a roof will generally add a very large amount to the cost of the service and poses a much larger threat to damaging the roof to treatment alone. When left for the rain to remove the treated substances it will generally take two to three months for the moss and lichen to be completely removed from the roof surface. This gentle, natural roof cleaning provides the safest method for removing the debris from the roof. In most situations were a roof is growing moss or lichen the roof itself can still be salvaged as long as the shingles have not begun to split and deteriorate, usually recognizable by shingles falling off the roof from cracking, splitting and warping.
In the case of roofs turning black with the growth of gloeocapsa magma bacteria, the roof can generally be cleaned with a no pressure treatment process that does not require rinsing. In the case of wood roofs growing moss or lichen the same treatment can be used and must contain a bleaching agent along with a fungicide and algaecide treatment. Some contractors will want to use a pressure washer or use a brush to remove the moss and lichen. This can be done, but must be done at precise pressures by an accredited contractor. In a case were a wood sealant is to be used after cleaning low pressure washing is recommended to remove any loose debris prior to sealant application. In the cases were no sealant is wanted than Accuwash recommends that the infested panels or entire roof be treated with the above mentioned solutions and left for the rain to remove the dead treated substances on the roof. Accuwash has found this to be the safest for the longevity of the roof. For those seeking instant results moss and lichen can be removed or loosened with a pressure washer or brush. Pressure washing to rinse a roof will generally add a very large amount to the cost of the service and poses a much larger threat to damaging the roof to treatment alone. When left for the rain to remove the treated substances it will generally take two to three months for the moss and lichen to be completely removed from the roof surface. This gentle, natural roof cleaning provides the safest method for removing the debris from the roof. In most situations were a roof is growing moss or lichen the roof itself can still be salvaged as long as the shingles have not begun to split and deteriorate, usually recognizable by shingles falling off the roof from cracking, splitting and warping.
