Cedar Shake Preservation Services

Responsible Cedar Roof Life Extension for Victoria BC & Vancouver Island

Cedar shake preservation is not about shortcuts or miracle coatings.
It’s about maintaining cedar that still has usable life—and only when an inspection confirms it makes sense.

At The Great Canadian Roof Doctor Inc., cedar shake preservation is offered as part of an inspection-first roofing approach designed to help homeowners extend roof life responsibly, manage timing, and avoid unnecessary replacement.

What Cedar Preservation Is — and Isn’t

Cedar preservation is a maintenance and restoration service for cedar shake roofs that are still structurally sound. Our process focuses on cleaning, drying, and re-applying a semi-transparent cedar protectant to help reduce moisture retention and weathering.

We use Messuirs (semi-transparent cedar protectant) as part of the preservation process where appropriate.

In many cases, the cleaning step itself provides meaningful benefit. Removing dirt and organic buildup helps cedar shed water and dry out faster, which can reduce prolonged moisture exposure and help prevent rot—often extending usable life even before the protectant is applied.

Cedar preservation is designed to:

Remove harmful organic growth (moss, algae, lichen) that holds moisture against cedar
Help the roof dry out faster and reduce chronic moisture exposure
Slow surface weathering and premature deterioration
Support long-term planning through scheduled maintenance cycles

Cedar preservation is not:

A repair for active leaks
A substitute for failed flashings, underlayment, or roof deck issues
A guarantee against future problems
A way to “save” cedar that has reached end-of-life

Condition—not age—determines eligibility.

Performance Expectations (Not a Warranty)

When cedar is still serviceable and the roof qualifies, preservation is intended to extend the usable life of the roof.

On average, a properly timed preservation may extend a cedar roof’s serviceable life by approximately 7–10 years.
For optimal performance in our coastal environment, cedar roofs should typically be restored about every 7 years on average (timing varies based on exposure, shade, tree cover, and roof design).

These are performance expectations based on typical field results, not a warranty or guarantee. Your roof’s results depend on existing condition and site factors.

When Cedar Preservation Makes Sense

Cedar preservation may be appropriate when:

Shakes are weathered but still structurally sound
There are no active leaks attributable to failed roofing components
Fasteners, ridges, and key details are still serviceable
The homeowner wants to delay replacement responsibly
The roof can still shed water properly and dry out between wet cycles

Preservation is most effective as part of a maintenance strategy, not a last-minute rescue.

Our Inspection-First Process

Every cedar preservation project begins with a professional roof inspection.

Before recommending preservation, we assess:

Shake condition (splitting, cupping, softness, decay)
Roof planes, valleys, ridges, and transitions
Flashing details (chimneys, skylights, vents, walls)
Signs of trapped moisture, rot risk, or chronic saturation
Ventilation and drying factors that affect cedar performance

If a roof does not qualify, preservation will not be recommended.

Proper Preparation Matters

Before applying any cedar protectant:

The roof is cleaned using methods appropriate for cedar
Moss, algae, and organic buildup are removed
The roof is allowed the right conditions to dry so the protectant can perform properly
The true condition of the cedar is revealed

In many cases, cleaning the cedar roof alone can add several years of usable life by removing dirt and organic buildup that holds moisture. A cleaner surface allows water to shed and dry faster, which helps reduce prolonged wetting and the risk of rot.

Applying a protectant over organic buildup reduces effectiveness and increases risk.

Understanding the Limits of Cedar Preservation

Even on a qualifying roof, preservation does not eliminate all risk.

Leaks and failures can still occur at:

Skylights
Chimneys
Vents and penetrations
Valleys and transitions
Nail penetrations and flashing interfaces

Some roof deficiencies can only be confirmed through destructive testing (lifting/removing materials). Most inspections and preservation work are non-destructive by nature, which is why ongoing monitoring matters.