Cleaning Your Cedar Shake Siding and Shingles

Cedar shake shingles and siding provide a stunning naturalistic look for every home. Cedar products can protect your home for a long time. With time, natural wood surfaces may be stained by the toxins in the air, as well as due to the fact that they attract algae and mildew to develop on the surfaces. Although they will not harm the wood, they could affect the appearance of your home; therefore, adding a regular clean-up to the spring cleaning schedule is usually a good idea.

Before Getting Started

Contrary to artificial surfaces like asphalt shingles or cement board siding, cedar shakes, shingles, and other shingles don't require thorough cleaning and are more likely to degrade due to a rough clean. Power washers are beneficial; however, you should start using the lowest pressure and then test an area of a tiny size to be certain that the pressure won't harm the wood. In the majority of cases, hand washing is acceptable and gentle power-washing is ideal for areas that are hard to reach with a hand but make certain not to spray onto shakes or shingles!

Your Safety First

Always be cautious while working around cleaning products as well as household chemicals. Wear safety glasses and gloves when mixing and putting solutions on, and make sure that you keep the chemicals out of reach of pets and children. Be cautious when climbing ladders too. Make sure you are aware of and adhere to the instructions and safety tips printed on your ladder. It would be best if you inspect the ladder as well as the area you plan to use before getting to work.

Gather Your Materials

A mild cleaning solution can aid in removing your cedar's staining, but selecting the correct product is contingent on the kind of stain you want to be removed. For mildew and algae, common bleach mixed with trisodium phosphate (often known as "TSP" and is easy to find at hardware and home retailers) will suffice for all the cleaning you require. Start by mixing five cups of water and one part bleach and one teaspoon of TSP.

To get rid of iron stains, blue-black stains, or discolored spots caused by fasteners weathering, rust washing off windows, flashings, or metal ornaments, oxalic acid is the right product. Begin with a solution consisting of one part oxalic acid with 20 percent water. It is possible to buy Sherwin Williams Sealer and Stain Remover that is premixed and suitable for this siding.

Whatever cleaning product you're using, experts suggest beginning with these mixtures and adding cleaning solutions to the water when needed to get rid of the stain. Once the wood is cleaned, it's advised to apply an oil-based brightener like Sherwin Williams Revive before staining.

The Cleaning Process

Use the cleaning solution you prefer using a garden-type mop, sprayer, or gentle brush. Make sure to wet the surface. Try to keep the area moist using the cleaning solution for about 10 to 15 minutes (for this reason, cloudy days or even a slight drizzle are the ideal conditions). Let the solution perform the heavy job and refrain from the scrubbing process that is too vigorous.

Clean the wood with water that is clear, and ensure that you point the hose downwards to avoid spraying into siding and shingles. If the wood isn't getting cleaned as you'd like, consider increasing the quantity of cleaning agents until you see the results you want. If you intend to refinish the wood after cleaning it, ensure you allow some time for drying time for the cedar completely.