wood shingle maintenance

Roof shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements. These elements are typically flat, rectangular shapes laid in courses from the bottom edge of the roof up, with each successive course overlapping the joints below. 

Shingles are held by the roof rafters and are made of various materials such as wood, slate, flagstone, metal, plastic, and composite materials such as fibre cement and asphalt shingles. Ceramic roof tiles, which still dominate in Europe and some parts of Asia, are still usually called tiles. Roof shingles may deteriorate faster and need to repel more water than wall shingles.

>> Related Post: Why Roofing Companies Need Social Media?

Here are top 3 things that you should keep in mind about wood shingles.

1. Coating and Treatment 

Weathering is one of the common problems that wood shingles can have. Provide certain treatments to the wood shingles to protect them from the UV rays, and moisture and treatments like fire retarder and oil treatment. 

The effectiveness of these treatments depends from product to product which is why you need to apply these treatments every three years or so. These treatments should be registered to ensure safety when used. 

>> Related Post: Can You Repair A Metal Sheet Leak On Your Roof?

2. Pest Control

Termites and other pests love wood material and your roof shingles are not safe from it. 

When your wood shingles are broken, these pests can invade your wood shingles and deteriorate the materials, and can impose dangers to the roofing system. 

Apply insecticides or other fungicides that should be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. 

3. Cleaning 

Sweep off debris or other fallen leaves that can contribute to the moss or algae growth on your roof. 

There may be other dirt that cannot be swept off, so you need to wash or brush it off. You may need to avoid using power washing as the extensive pressure can potentially strip the weak wood shingles. 

If you have inspected your wood shingles and none of them are loosened, you can do the power washing as it can be an effective way to remove debris, dirt, and other organic growth and improve the roof’s appearance. 

In brushing it off, avoid using intense cleaning solutions that can wear off the coating or other protective layer of the wood shingles. 

>> Related Post: Do You Need the Services of a Roofing Contractor?

Conclusion

Wood shingles are almost always highly visible and so are an important aspect of a building's aesthetics in patterns, textures and colors. Roof shingles, like other building materials on vernacular buildings, are typically of a material locally available.

Maintenance of roof shingles doesn’t just involve simple cleaning but also other treatments to protect them from other elements. Wood shingles are a natural material, therefore some damages are because of their material.