Exterior Cedar Siding Maintenance

Bleaching oil clear coat paint detergent and sealer.

Exterior cedar siding maintenance.

Repairs to wood siding require the expertise to remove the damaged siding while leaving surrounding siding intact. Cedar shake maintenance cedar has natural antibacterial and anti fungal properties allowing you to leave the wood untreated without worry of excess warping rotting and cracking. If you do decide to color your wood there are several options. Basic items required for cleaning cedar siding are.

Although pressure washers are a great way of cleaning cedar siding they can be overwhelming for beginners. Your climate and landscape will determine how often these processes are required. These natural elements slowly erode the finishes and as a result all finishes applied to cedar require regular cleaning and maintenance to perform. Cedar siding is prone to dust and dirt accumulation just like other types of exterior siding.

Be sure to keep the hose pointed downward to avoid forcing water up behind the shingles. If you are attracted to this look keep in mind that it requires periodic maintenance chalking and painting or staining to prevent weather damage and is susceptible to insect or rodent attacks. Depending on maintenance your rich wood siding can last from 10 to sometimes 100 years. You must clean it twice a year so that it s easier to maintain.

Unless you have the skills hire a professional carpenter or siding contractor. Genuine cedar siding is going to require washing and staining sealing or painting on a regular basis. A mild non phosphate detergent is recommended. After installing your exterior cedar you have about a two week grace period until the wood starts to discolor.

Dusty climates will require more frequent washing. Coating the cedar shingles with a water resistant product helps to preserve the wood against moisture damage. The surfaces of finished western red cedar decks siding and trim boards exposed outdoors inevitably become dirty and can also be discolored by mildew algae and moss. Cleaning away the age is the first step in caring for cedar shingles.

Cedar maintenance you don t have to do much to cedar shingle siding if you prefer its weathered gray look other than clean and coat it with a clear water resistant preservative and inspect it for rot and damage periodically. Power wash every two to four years. After that the color will rapidly change from red to gray. Expect to pay 200 300 to replace a damaged siding panel or two.

The cedar bureau recommends using a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Prone to dust and dirt accumulation cedar exterior siding receives a good pressure wash on the lowest setting well. As it ages cedar loses some of its natural oils hence the need for upkeep.