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Cleaning a Roof Made From Wood Shingles
by Jane Smallman
Refacing Cabinet Columnist
A roof made from traditional wood shingles looks very pretty, but it can be one of the hardest to maintain. Cleaning is an important part of this maintenance to prevent the growth of moss and algae that can work their way into cracks between the shingles, forcing them apart and causing leaks.
Wooden roof shingles have been used on American homes for centuries. They are often a home's crowning glory, providing a natural color and texture that manmade materials just can't match. In addition to this, a roof made from wood shingles is usually very weather resistant and durable providing it is looked after properly.
Wood Shingles
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your roof is to clean it. Cleaning will help to make sure that the wood shingles stay in good condition and provide a resilient, leak-free surface.
Cleaning Wood Shingles
Cleaning the roof could involve all, or some of the following procedures:
- Sweeping. Using an ordinary broom, sweep the shingles from top to bottom to remove all the dirt, leaves, or pine needles that have accumulated over the previous year.
- Removing Mold and Mildew. Use a putty knife to scrape off as much as you can. If you don't, they will continue to grow, and will eventually cause the shingles to lift up and let water in.
- Spot Cleaning. Treat heavily stained areas with a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP), which can be bought at most home improvement stores.
- High-Pressure Cleaning. Recreate the appearance of a new roof by removing a layer of old wood. Shingles look fresher afterwards, but the disadvantages are a) it may shorten the life of the shingles and b) it may cause leaks by forcing water underneath them.
Cleaning your roof at least once a year will ensure that the wood shingles stay in good condition, look attractive and, most important of all, keep the rain out!
About the Author
Jane Smallman holds a bachelor's degree in social sciences and a master's degree in social and political thought from the University of Sussex. After working in the hotel industry in France, Holland, the US, and the UK, Jane now operates a mountain guiding business with her husband.
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