Homeowners who want a touch of rustic elegance and timeless classic to their house tend to favor cedar shakes for their siding and roofing. Besides their aesthetic value, many dependable siding contractors in Newark, DE are also impressed by the material’s durability. However, endurance is quite often dependent on how well a thing is attended to and maintained. If you want your cedar shake siding to last a long time (and stay beautiful in the interim), here are some tips on restoring your siding, particularly when your cedar has blackened with time.
Cleaning the Surface
When black mold or other microorganisms have infested your cedar shakes and you want to have them restored to their cleaner, brighter state, you should first off wash your siding to clean off the dust, grime, and other easily-removable dirt off the surface. Use a dependable wood cleaning product to do this, and scrub the surface with a soft-bristled brush afterwards.
Mildew Removal
If you want to know if the discoloration on your cedar siding is caused by mildew, try out this method from Doityourself.com:
[…] treat [the siding] with solution of bleach (1 part) diluted with water (9 parts). After the bleach solution is applied and and the dark spot is scrubbed with a brush and then rinsed off, the dark mildew spot will normally disappear almost at once.
Grease Stain Removal
Grease stains in your siding collects dust and pollutants and will further cause your cedar shakes to darken. Remove these by wiping away any excess grease (using a sponge) and dissolving the stain using a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar.
Black Mold
Black mold on your siding is not only an eyesore, but is also destructive to the life of any material, as its roots destroy the integrity of the cedar. You can use a solution of one part chlorine bleach in four parts water to kill off the mold, allowing its roots to loosen its grip on the siding. Then you can easily scrub the remaining mold.
By taking good care of your Newark or Wilmington siding, you are extending its lifespan, hence you can enjoy the rustic appeal of cedar shakes much longer. Moreover, there are many contractors like Homecraft® Inc., that can offer repair, replacement, and maintenance plans for your siding and roofing to keep you pleased and worry-free for a long time.
From Tips for restoring blackened cedar shake siding, Do it yourself
