Unlike asphalt shingles, cedar shakes are living, breathing pieces of organic material that react to every drop of rain and every hour of sunlight. It can feel stressful when you notice your beautiful roof starting to change color or warp. However, knowing why it happens is the first step toward keeping your home safe and dry.
The Fight Against Moss and Rot
Because cedar is a natural product, it can become a perfect home for tiny plants, such as moss, algae, and even lichen. If your home is surrounded by tall, shady trees, the wood shingles might stay damp for days after a rainstorm. This creates a soggy environment where rot can easily start to grow. This organic growth acts like a sponge that holds water against the wood. Over time, that moisture eats away at the fibers until the shingle becomes soft and crumbly. If you see a green, fuzzy carpet forming on the north side of your roof, that is a sign that the wood is not drying out properly. You have to keep the roof clear of leaves and debris so that the wind and sun can dry the shakes after a storm.
Splitting and Warping in the Sun
While too much moisture results in rot, too much direct sunlight can cause cedar shakes to dry out too fast and begin to curl or split. When a shake curls upward at the corners, it creates a small gap where wind-driven rain can slide right under the wood and hit your waterproof underlayment. If a shingle splits completely in half, it leaves a direct path for water to reach the wooden decking of your house. This can lead to leaks in your attic. This “weathering” is a natural part of a wood roof’s life, but if you do not replace the badly damaged shakes, the rest of the roof will suffer from exposure.
The Hidden Danger of Poor Airflow
A cedar shake roof needs to breathe from the top and bottom to stay healthy. However, many older homes lack the proper ventilation to make this happen. If the attic gets too hot and humid, the underside of the wood shakes will stay damp even if the top looks dry. You might notice that your shingles are starting to look dark or “toasted” around the edges, which is usually a sign that they are being cooked by trapped attic heat. Without a steady flow of cool air moving through the rafters, even the highest-quality cedar shake will fail much sooner than it should.
A cedar shake roof is a big responsibility. However, the stunning look it provides is often worth the extra work. If you need help maintaining the cedar shake roof on your Manalapan Township, NJ home, call A-Top Roofing & Construction.