Cedar roof repair

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Cedar roof repair involves fixing damage to cedar shingles, shakes and ridge caps caused by the weather, aging and wear and tear. Common issues include cracked, warped, loose or missing pieces, as well as damage from greens, animals or insects.

Repairing a cedar roof typically involves replacing broken, damaged or missing pieces, re-nailing loose ones, re-aligning misaligned ones and using metal shims between pieces to prevent water leaks.

Cedar roof repair helps maintain the roof’s structural integrity, prevent water damage and prolong the lifespan of the cedar roof.

What do you repair on my cedar roof?

We replace broken, damaged or missing shingles, shakes and ridge caps, re-nail loose ones, re-align misaligned ones and use metal shims between pieces to prevent water leaks.

Do you replace every single shingle, shake or ridge cap?

No, we don’t. There is no need to replace every single piece, only the damaged or missing ones. We use our experience and our discretion to determine what needs to be repaired.

What is shimming and how does it work?

Shimming is the insertion of aluminum or stainless steel thin metal strips (about 3″x8″) under shingles, shakes or ridge caps to prevent water leaks between them while maintaining proper ventilation.

What if I have a hole or a water leak on my roof?

If it is a basic issue, we repair it by installing a small piece of underlayment, then the shingles / shakes / ridge caps, then shims.

If it is a major issue, we may recommend a roofing contractor because it may affect structural integrity or building envelope.

What if my roof is too deteriorated to repair?

We provide honest feedback and recommend that you get your house re-roofed. It is too risky to restore a very deteriorated roof.

Do you offer a service warranty for repairs?

Absolutely! Our service warranty covers our work on cedar roof repairs. Please consult our service warranty page for details.

Learn about

Our repair process

Ridge caps repair

We inspect cedar roof ridge caps and identify the split, damaged, missing or loose ones. We proceed with replacing all damaged and loose ridge caps, re-nail loose ones and add missing ones.

Often, the entire ridge cap lines need to be replaced to ensure consistency and integrity. Ridge caps are the most susceptible to weather damage due to their position at the peak of roof slopes.

Shingles and shakes repair

We inspect cedar roof shingles and shakes and identify the split, damaged, missing or loose ones. We proceed with replacing all damaged and loose shingles and shakes, re-nail loose ones and add missing ones.

We chose which shingles and shakes to repair based on our experience and discretion. We may elect to repair individual pieces or entire sections, based on the condition of the cedar roof.

Shimming

Shims are inserted by hand and sometimes hammered in with a mallet to reach their correct position. Their bottom corner edges are bent towards the roof to ensure they don’t slip out through time.

Cleanup & disposal

We remove all old and discarded shingles, shakes, ridge caps and shims from the roof and collect them in garbage bags. We dispose of them appropriately at dump sites around the city throughout the restoration process.

We also clean up around the cedar roof if we cause it to be dirty again after repairs. Your cedar roof is now repaired and ready for the next step!

Why you should

Repair your cedar roof

Here are the key advantages of repairing your cedar roof:

Cedar roof repair prevents and mitigates potential future problems, ultimately saving you money on repairs and extending the life of the roof.

What we repair on

your cedar roof

* The photos below were taken by Our Cedar Roofs Inc. staff during restoration jobs in Vancouver, Canada.

Splitting

Splitting happens due to age, weather and improper installation, leading to splits along the direction of the grain.

Weathering damage

Weathering damage occurs from exposure to sun, rain and wind, causing discoloration, cracking and deterioration of the wood.

Animal damage

Animal damage occurs when pests like squirrels, birds or racoons chew or nest, causing holes, leaks and structural damage.

Over-nailing

Over-nailing occurs when excessive nails are used during installation or repairs, causing split and loose pieces.

Curling

Curling happens when shingles and shakes warp due to moisture loss, age or improper installation, leading to potential water leaks.

Cracking

Cracking results from age, weather exposure or drying, weakening the shingles and shakes and having a greater risk of water leaks.

Loose pieces

Loose pieces become loose from wind, rain and animals, potentially leading to water leaks and premature deterioration.

Water leaks

Water leaks happen from damage, cracks or improper installation, allowing water and moisture to penetrate and cause damage.

Did you know?

Animals can damage your cedar roof.

The usual suspects of

Cedar roof animal damage

The animals below may look very cute, but they can cause serious damage on the surface or inside your cedar roof. Damage by these animals can lead to water infiltration, electrical damage and cause long-term structural issues. They are present in hilly, mountainous and remote areas, where there are more trees and plants.

It is good to know

What can you do?

Wood peckers

Drill holes in search of insects

Squirrels

Chew/create holes for nesting

Racoons

Tear off to access attics

Mice & rats

Gnaw/try to enter for water

Birds

Peck for nesting and insects

Service and quality you can trust.®

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