Note: This is cleaning/treatment/restoration only. We do not offer roof repair services.
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The Sullivan cedar shake roof cleaning method does not allow the use of pressure washing or any pressure than that of a typical garden hose.  Power washing is strictly banned due to the damage it can cause.  The washing of the shakes is done from the ground or a specially stabilized ladder in order not to put weight on the shake roof and to avoid the need to walk on the roof physically.

The formula developed by Bruce is also specially formulated to be effective at removing organic material without damaging the cedar below.  The solution used on the roof is biodegradable and will not leave residue or harm your family, your pets, your garden, or you.

How to Remove Moss from a Cedar Shake Roof

Further, never seal a cedar shake roof; they need to breathe. The best treatment for a cedar shake roof is an oil treatment, like steam-processed oil. Also, staining has no preservative benefit and, in some cases, does more harm than good.

As a US cedar shake roof industry leader, Bruce has trained others with the best techniques and proven methods.  He has plans to launch a new online training platform in which people can sign up and gain access to detailed videos and content on techniques and ideas.  The goal is to educate people and businesses about the best ways to use and apply the different cedar shake roof cleaning methods so you can be sure that the roof will last as long as it should.

Bruce has his sights set on becoming one of the leading cedar shake roof cleaning experts globally, not just in the US.

Former fishing boat captain Bruce Sullivan, now the owner of Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning, Sullivan Roof Cleaning, and Sullivan Exterior Cleaning, is on a mission to change the way we look at cedar shakes and shingle roofs.  The idea is to educate the clients about the common misconceptions and present the facts on how to best look after and extend the lifespan of their roof.

The typically overlooked roofing material is often entirely replaced when it should be cleaned, allowing its lifespan to be expanded for years to come.  There is a common misconception that once it is covered in moss, algae, and other infestations and growth, it must be replaced, but Bruce tells us that this is wrong and we need to readdress how we think about this time tested roofing material.

Bruce has spent uncountable hours researching and perfecting his roof cleaning technique due to the specialised nature of cedar shake roofing.  The best cleaning technique does not come easy, and many in the industry are getting it wrong by using incorrect tools, replacing them too early, or just making poor choices of cleaning formulas. These companies do not understand the finer details of cedar shake and shingle roofs and are simply roof cleaners rather than cedar shake roof cleaners.

Cedar Shake Roof Cleaning in Des Moines Iowa
Cedar Shake Roof before & after cleaning
Bruce-Profile-Picture

Meet Bruce

50 Years of Experience &
Over 2,000 Shake Roofs Cleaned

Bruce Sullivan has over 50 years of experience in maintaining, cleaning, and restoring cedar shake roofs. Making him one of the top authorities on cedar shake roofs in the US.

Watch the Cedar Shakes Cleaning Process in Action in this video

Play Video about Roof Cleaning How to Remove Moss, Lichen, Fungi from a Cedar Roof Sullivan Roof

Testimonials

What can I say? Bruce and Keith provided an exceptional service, and they are really nice guys too. Found out at the last minute they were in Minneapolis, and they fit me in for a cedar shake roof cleaning the next evening after their regular job was done. Even cleaned up my gutters, small fence, and small deck at no charge. The place looks outstanding! Highly recommended.

Mike Richards
Minneapolis

I highly recommend this business. Due to the work performed we are going to get another 10-14 years out of our cedar shake roof. We were told by some roofing companies that the roof should be replaced in 2 years. I lucked out and found Sullivan Roof Cleaning while researching companies that perform this service, and was pleased to learn that the company does work outside of Iowa. If you need your cedar shakes cleaned, go with Sullivan Roof Cleaning.

Eric Oelrich, 
St Cloud, MN

Bruce did a great job cleaning the whole exterior of my house. The roof has new life! It looks practically brand new. All the mold and moss on the roof, on the gutters, under the eaves, completely gone. He exceeded all our expectations. When he tells you what he can do for your house, you can believe and trust him. Great guy, great service.

Stuart Malone
Kansas City, MO

FAQs

Cedar shakes are organic. Though a resilient material. Being organic they need to be maintained. Over time, like any organic material that are subjected to weather elements, they reach a stage of deterioration. Like UV exposure, moisture and seasonal changes. Which results in moss, mold, mildew, lichen and brown rot fungi. These infestations need to be removed to further preserve the integrity of the cedar shake.
The proper way to clean a cedar shake roof is from a ladder. By spraying a special formulated solution onto the shakes and then rinsed with a garden hose pressure. Best done by a professional cedar shake roof cleaner. Not DIY recommended.
No. Pressure washer will require walking on the shakes, which will harm them, and even at its lowest setting will also damage the shakes.
On average, cedar shakes should be cleaned every 10 ten years. Subjective to the grade of the shakes and the amount of surrounding tree cover.
Avoiding walking on a cedar shake roof, other than for repairs.
Never seal a cedar shake roof. Cedar shakes need to breathe. They expand and contract in rain conditions. Seal will shorten the lifespan, to the point of premature replacement.
Staining has no real preserve value and can also harm the integrity of shakes, as stated, they need to be able to breathe. Also, if the shakes are not properly cleaned staining can seal the deteriorating infestation within the shakes.
Depending on the grade of the shakes and installation, and if maintained properly, 40 to 60 years.

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