Split shake repair
Cracked or broken shakes are cut out and new cedar is slipped in with the side gaps cedar needs to swell and dry.
Cedar Shake Roofing
Cedar Shake Roof Repair Summit, NJ
A Summit roofer who knows wood roofs can fix split shakes, rotted butts, moss damage and leaking valleys on a cedar roof, so you are not paying for a new roof the old one does not need yet. Dial (908) 679-5768 to talk with a local roofer about the repair.
Cedar shakes wear out one piece at a time, which is exactly why they can be repaired. Sun dries the top of each shake while the underside stays damp, so the wood cups, curls and eventually splits along the grain. On the shady side, moss and needles hold water against the wood and the butt ends start to rot.
The trick is telling a roof that needs a few dozen shakes from one that is worn out. Signs that matter are thin, eroded butts, shakes that break at a touch, corroded nails and staining on the roof boards underneath. If most of the field is still thick and holds a nail, repair is usually the smart call.
Stay off the roof while you wait for the visit. Walking on weathered cedar is dangerous and breaks the very shakes you are trying to save. Binoculars from the yard will show missing or lifted shakes, moss and worn ridge caps well enough for a first conversation.
Many cedar shake roof repair calls in Summit also turn up a need for cedar shake roof replacement or roof moss removal.
Dealing with this in Summit, NJ right now? Call (908) 679-5768 to reach a nearby roofing contractor.
Call nowThe process
The cedar roof repair process
Here is how a roofer usually approaches a cedar shake repair.
Start with an inspection
The roofer works from roof jacks, pads or a ladder at the eaves, checking butt thickness, brittleness and nail condition across each slope. That tells you whether repair makes sense or whether the money belongs in a new roof.
Clear the surface
The roof is cleaned gently so the crew can see every crack and so water can run off freely.
Replace damaged shakes
Damaged shakes are split out, their nails are cut with a ripper, and new cedar of matching length and thickness goes in with the right side gaps. The new shake keeps a gap of about three eighths to five eighths of an inch at the sides so it can swell when wet.
Fix the valleys
Open valleys collect leaves, so they are cleared, and worn metal is replaced with new galvanized, aluminum or copper valley. Valleys move more water than anywhere else on the roof, so they get extra attention.
Ridge cap repair
Split or loose ridge and hip caps are replaced with new cap pieces nailed with longer fasteners into solid wood. The underlayment beneath the caps is checked for tears while the caps are off.
Treat the roof
After the repair, zinc or copper strips can be added near the ridge to discourage moss on future rains. More sun and airflow keep cedar healthy.
What is included
What cedar roof repair covers
Moss removal
The keyways are cleared of needles and moss so the roof can drain and dry between storms.
Hip cap repair
Broken hip and ridge caps are swapped with longer nails into solid wood.
Valley repair
Rusted or punctured valley metal is patched or replaced so the busiest drainage channel on the roof stays tight.
Wall flashing
Step flashing along walls and flashing around skylights and vents is resealed or replaced which is a frequent leak point on wood roofs.
Related service
Cedar Shake Roof Maintenance Summit, NJ
Regular care on a wood roof comes down to drainage, airflow and catching small splits early. The routine is simple: clean the keyways, clear the valleys and gutters, cut back branches and deal with moss while it is still thin. How often depends on tree cover, with shaded roofs needing more frequent attention.
The biggest mistake with cedar is pressure washing. Blasting water at shakes erodes the wood and drives moisture into the layers underneath. A soft wash with a cleaner made for wood, a gentle rinse and a breathable preservative is the safer approach in Summit.
Related service
Wood Shake Roof Repair Summit, NJ
Most wood shake roofs are western red cedar, but the repair methods are the same for other species. Shakes are split rather than sawn, so they are thicker and rougher than cedar shingles, and replacements need to match that thickness to sit flat in the course. The color difference fades as the new cedar weathers.
Underneath most shake roofs is a strip of felt between every course, and it matters as much as the wood. Where the felt has rotted, the roofer can slip new interlay under replaced shakes. In Summit, ask about the hidden layers, not just the shakes.
Local help
Cedar Shake Roof Repair Near Me
In Summit, wood shake roofs show up on established homes where the original cedar is now decades old, and most of the damage comes from shade, trapped moisture and seasons of sun and storms. From Summit out to neighboring communities such as Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills, wood roofs that get regular cleaning and repair last far longer than ones left alone, which is why it pays to catch damage early.
For cedar shake roof repair in Summit, NJ or nearby towns like Chatham, Mountainside, New Providence and Short Hills, call (908) 679-5768 to reach a roofer who covers your street.
How the weather here affects roofs around Summit
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. That is why roof repair in Summit is busiest after a hard winter and before the next one.
Why call
Why not wait
Drier ceilings
A roof problem fixed early rarely spreads to the decking, the insulation or the ceilings.
Roofers who know Summit
Local roofers see the same roofs and storm damage across Summit and nearby towns.
Clear next steps
Ask the roofer about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Cedar Shake Roof Repair questions
When should a cedar roof be replaced instead of repaired?
The answer comes from how much sound wood is left. Brittle shakes that crack as the roofer works around them, widespread rot and failing nails point toward replacement. If most shakes are still thick and hold a nail, repair is the reasonable choice.
How long does a cedar shake roof last?
Cedar shakes can last several decades, with heavy hand-split shakes outliving thinner ones. Roofs under trees or in damp shade wear out faster, and roofs that are cleaned and repaired last longer. Timely repairs to split shakes and valleys keep small problems from rotting the sheathing.
Is it possible to repair just part of a cedar shake roof?
Cedar is one of the easiest roofs to repair piece by piece. A special flat tool cuts the old nails, and the new shake is slid up into the gap and nailed under the next course. The new wood looks lighter at first and weathers to gray.
Should I pressure wash my cedar shake roof?
Pressure washing does real harm to wood shakes. It strips the soft wood fibers, thins the shakes, leaves the surface fuzzy and drives water up under the courses. Soft washing, hand removal of moss and a preservative treatment are the safer path.
Why is moss bad for cedar shakes?
Moss keeps cedar wet long after the rain stops. Wet wood under moss decays faster and the roots can lift shake edges. Clearing it gently and trimming branches for more sun usually stops the damage before repairs get large.
More questions? Call (908) 679-5768
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Cedar Shake Roof Replacement
Replacing an old cedar shake roof down to the boards, then rebuilding it right, planned around the material you choose next.
Learn moreRoof Moss Removal
Removing moss from shingle, shake and tile roofs without tearing up the roofing, and repairs to any shingles the moss damaged.
Learn moreRoof Cleaning
Roof cleaning by soft wash for algae, lichen and grime, with plants and gutters protected along the way.
Learn moreCedar Shake Roof Installation
New cedar shake roofs built with the right sheathing, felt interlay, spacing and stainless fasteners, with every layer chosen before the first shake goes on.
Learn more
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Call (908) 679-5768 for a local roofer in Summit and nearby towns.