What Causes a Cedar Roof to Warp?

Do you have a cedar roof protecting your home?

How’s it looking?

Do the cedar shingles look uneven, colorless, or covered in some type of moss?

If so, your roof is probably warped and in need of a treatment to help restore it. But what causes a cedar roof to warp like this?

Why is My Cedar Roof Warping?

When a cedar roof is installed, you can expect to have one of the best-looking and best-protecting roofs of any material.

However, after about five years, the natural preservatives on the cedar shakes can wear away — leaving the roof exposed to the harsh elements of Mother Nature.

When cedar becomes exposed like this, warping and rotting can begin to occur.

UV Ray Damage

Just like your skin, the roof of your home can become damaged by being exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Unfortunately, there’s no way for your roof to cover up or go inside.

You might be thinking, “What about when the clouds are covering the sun?”

Ultraviolet rays can pierce through clouds, so they’re there even when the sun is hiding. This type of constant exposure will strip cedar roofs of their natural preservatives as time goes on — and unfortunately, there’s no way to stop this from happening.

Excessive Moisture Infiltration

As time goes on and your cedar roof beings to lose some of its natural preservatives, it will become susceptible to absorbing moisture from precipitation and highly humid days.

For those who experience roof damage (due to high-speed winds or debris hitting against the roof), the material can become further exposed to moisture and expedite the process of becoming warped and rotted.

Moss, Mold & Mildew

As a result of excessive moisture infiltration, either moss, mold, mildew, or a combination of the three can begin to grow on top of the cedar shakes (as well as underneath if there’s some roof damage).

The presence of moss, mold, or mildew is a sign that there’s an excessive moisture problem that needs to be addressed. As long as the growth continues to exist (because it needs moisture to survive), the more your cedar roof will warp and rot.

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Homeowners with cedar roofs need to have them treated every five years. This is the magic number to help keep your roof from becoming damaged by the elements while also keeping it looking its best!

If your cedar roof is in need of a treatment process, our Cedar-Life division is designed to provide the best in business!