Very Important Information About Your Cedar Shake Roof

Water Cleaning vs Air Cleaning
(Please take a few minutes to read, you’ll be glad you did)

Dear Homeowners,

Before

After 8 - 12 months

As Owner of Delta Roof and Gutter I would like to explain in detail, the process of cleaning your cedar shake roof, having repairs done, and the treatment application. The estimate you have received will give you 3 options to choose from. Option 1 is a low pressure water cleaning of your cedar shake roof, with a color treatment applied, and possibly some repairs if necessary. Option 2 is also a low pressure water cleaning with a clear treatment applied, and possible repairs. The clear treatment option is a bit less expensive than color, because it is easier to apply, due to the fact there is no pigment. Option 3 is an air cleaning of surface debris, and then a chemical treatment is applied to leach off moss, fungus, and algae growth over a 8-12 month time period. Repairs are a possibility with this option as well.

Delta offers very competitive pricing when estimating a job, and would love to earn your business. There has been confusion regarding what type of process should be used. I have been in the pressure washing business for over 20 years now. I really would like my customers to have a complete understanding of what can and cannot be done safely.

WATER CLEANING:

First, on the subject of cleaning the roof with water v. air, people have been cleaning cedar roofs with low pressure water for over 50 years. It always has been safe, IF done by professionals who know how to do it correctly. Of course, there have been companies who have not done it correctly and have damaged roofs, in the past 20 years. Now in today’s market, people are concerned about using water on their roofs. They automatically think that water cleaning will damage the shakes, and that is not correct, IF you have it done by a professional. Cedar shake roofs CAN be cleaned with water up to the age of 18 years old. It depends upon the condition of the roof. This is based on how well your roof has been taken care of by past companies. Delta Roof and Gutter cleans over 800 cedar shake roofs per year. We have 25 employees and 15 trucks out servicing our customers. We take our business very seriously, and want every customer to be satisfied. We use the lowest water pressure possible (2000psi), to clean off moss and fungus that accumulates over 4-5 years, between cleanings.

All of my crews have been trained to do the best job possible. Water cleaning will not damage the roof in any way if done right, and I guarantee it. After cleaning your roof we then apply a water based, semi-transparent cedar tone color (w/UV protection), or clear treatment. That will preserve your roof for 5-6 years depending on the amount of trees nearby. This process of low pressure water cleaning and treatment application, gives you the best results possible. It will give your roof a clean, “brand new” appearance and will extend the life of your roof.

AIR CLEANING:

Secondly, cleaning your roof with air is a new process that has become popular over the last 5-7 years. This process was created due to the many cedar roofs getting older. Air cleaning is a short term solution, and a completely different process than water cleaning. We do a lot of this type of cleaning as well. Often times a customer with a roof over 16-25 years old will choose the air cleaning process. Even customers with roofs 10 yrs. old are choosing this process due to the condition of the roof. In that case, we would blow off the surface debris with air. This process will rid your roof surface of needles, branches and some moss. When we complete this air cleaning process the roof will look much the same, dark and grey. Next we will treat the roof with a chemical moss kill agent called Weatherguard UV. This treatment will remove the dark color as it kills the moss and fungus over 8-12 months or longer in some cases, and the roof will turn a silver grey color. The Weatherguard application is done by soaking down the roof with 20-50 gallons (depending on size) of the product, the day of the air cleaning or soon there after. It can be done rain or shine, due to the fact that the product is rain activated. As it rains over 8-12 months or longer after the treatment, it will continue working to leach off all of the algae and fungus. There is no color in this type of treatment. This process will need to be repeated every 4 years.

In either process, Water Cleaning or Air Cleaning, we will clean all gutters and downspouts, and clean up all of the area surrounding the house.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this important information regarding your cedar shake roof. I want to make sure that you make an informed decision when choosing water v. air cleaning, and reassure you that both processes are very safe.

Just remember that water cleaning may be a bit more expensive, but gives the results that leave the roof looking “brand new”, and the roof life will be extended in the long run. The air cleaning processes will be less expensive, but will not result in looking as clean and new, and will not extend the roof life quite as much.

NEW PROGRAM:

I would also like to inform you of a new program that Delta has started in order to show our appreciation. Beginning in 2005, all of our customers that have over $500.00 worth of repairs done to a cedar shake roof will receive 50% of the repair costs credited towards a new roof. For example, if you spend 1800.00 in repairs now, we will apply a $900.00 credit towards the purchase of a new roof in the future from Delta Roof and Gutter.

Delta has a roofing division that has supplied roofs to hundreds of satisfied customers. We would like to thank you by giving you the opportunity to save a bit of money when it comes time to replace your roof.

Delta will keep track of any warranties you are given on the repairs, and when the warranty is close to expiration, we will contact you to evaluate your roofs condition. At that time you may choose to take advantage of the credit you have earned towards the purchase on a new roof of your choice.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call. If we are not available please leave a message and we will return your call within 24 hrs. We do high quality work and Delta has the best reputation in the business, with over 12,000 satisfied customers in the Northwest and adding more everyday.

Thank you,
Management

• Serving Snohomish and King Counties