Cedar Shake...

Steven Button

Steven Button

Administrator
I am looking for some hints, tips, advice, pitfalls, etc... related to cleaning cedar shake siding.

I've attached a few pictures - can anyone tell by looking if these have a stain/seal on them or are they just weathered. This is a job at a huge property that is in receivership.

Is it as straightforward as a house wash mix and rinse, rinse, rinse? Do you need to neutralize with a mild acid mix? Is sealing required?

I anticipate that the management company will want as straight forward a process (LOW PRICE!!!) as possible. I can't see the correct process bringing a low price, but if anyone can shed some light on the process, I'll be able to crunch the numbers for the final price.

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Its been painted, third picture you can see the flakes of paint (or stain) coming off. What are they expecting in terms of final results? Cleaning isn't going to accomplish much in the way of improved appearance unless it's being painted or stained again.
 
Thanks Charlie... From my experience of receivership properties, their expectation of final results are shaped by the price quoted - basically they want maintenance on the property until they find a buyer.

Thanks for the info on cleaning alone not doing much for appearance without painting or sealing them after - that will help in the bid preparation and presentation.
 
I agree with Charlie regular cleaning will not do too much unless there is a lot of mildew on the surface. I would be more concerned that much of the paint will come off during cleaning however. If you do wash it soft wash unless you will be re staining/painting it. Then a good strip job and neutralizer would be in order.
 
That is a nightmare waiting to happen. Dirt is holding that stuff on so when you wash, Paul is correct in saying that much will come off, particularly where the mildewed areas are - that "color" is already digested. It's going to get cleanish, but splotchy.
 
I have to agree with Jim, Steve. Until you know what is on there, you can't really know what you can do. You can never tell from pictures, but to me this looks like an oil-based solid-color stain. This could be Cabot or something similar, in which case it will melt off in seconds with a caustic stripper. Celeste is making an excellent point about the condition of the wood. I suggest a Test Patch. If it is an oil, it will fall off and you can leave the shakes with a clean natural look. If it is not an oil, you will know the end result will not be so nice.
 
How did it turn out!!
Steven Button said:
I am looking for some hints, tips, advice, pitfalls, etc... related to cleaning cedar shake siding.

I've attached a few pictures - can anyone tell by looking if these have a stain/seal on them or are they just weathered. This is a job at a huge property that is in receivership.

Is it as straightforward as a house wash mix and rinse, rinse, rinse? Do you need to neutralize with a mild acid mix? Is sealing required?

I anticipate that the management company will want as straight forward a process (LOW PRICE!!!) as possible. I can't see the correct process bringing a low price, but if anyone can shed some light on the process, I'll be able to crunch the numbers for the final price.

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Jim, Pete - I forgot to say thanks for your thoughts and input... Thanks!

We didn't win the bid on this one - apparently we were 'significantly' higher than the other bidders, but from speaking with the PM, none of the other bidders highlighted the issues. Through some of my existing customers I contacted the property manager who was in charge of the property before receivership (whose office is actually in this shopping center)... apparently the cedar shake was not washed, although it was awarded to be done.

Price was the motivation on this one...
 
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