Cedar Roof Cleaning in Hamilton, Burlington & Oakville
Cedar roof cleaning in Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Burlington, Oakville, Stoney Creek, Waterdown, Flamborough, Grimsby, Binbrook, Winona, Fruitland, Jerseyville & Freelton
Overview
A cedar roof is one of the most beautiful roofs you can put on a house — and one of the easiest to ruin with the wrong cleaning. In the Hamilton region, mature tree canopy, lake-effect humidity, and shaded escarpment lots give moss, lichen, and black mildew everything they need to take hold between the shakes. Left alone, that growth holds water against the wood and shortens the life of the roof. BTG Exteriors cleans cedar shake and cedar shingle roofs with a low-pressure soft-wash method and wood-safe solutions — never a high-pressure blast — so the growth comes off and the wood stays intact. You get a fixed quote up front, protected gardens, and before-and-after photos of your roof when we are done.
How do you clean a cedar shake roof without damaging it?
Cedar roofs should be cleaned with a low-pressure soft-wash method and a wood-safe solution, not a pressure washer. BTG Exteriors applies the solution to break down moss, lichen, and mildew, rinses gently, and clears debris from valleys and gutters. Most cedar roofs in the Hamilton area need cleaning every 2–3 years. Pricing is a free, fixed quote after a walkaround.
Benefits of Professional Cedar Roof Cleaning
Low-Pressure, Wood-Safe Method
Soft washing lifts moss, lichen, and mildew without tearing wood fibres or splintering the butt ends the way a pressure washer does.
Moss & Lichen Removed
Growth is treated and cleared from the face of the shakes and the gaps between them so the roof can drain and dry properly.
Valleys & Keyways Cleared
Packed leaves and needles are removed from valleys, around chimneys and skylights, and between courses where water backs up.
Before & After Photos
You see exactly what changed on your roof, plus notes on any split, loose, or missing shakes worth showing a roofer.
Our Cedar Roof Cleaning Process
Walkaround & Roof Assessment
We check pitch, access, growth level, and the condition of the shakes, then give you one fixed price before anything starts.
Protect the Property
Plants below the roofline are pre-wet and covered, and downspouts and walkways are managed for runoff.
Soft-Wash Application
A wood-safe cleaning solution is applied at low pressure to break down moss, lichen, and mildew without damaging the cedar.
Gentle Rinse & Debris Removal
Loosened growth and debris are rinsed off with low pressure and cleared from valleys and gutters below.
Final Check & Photo Report
Gardens are rinsed again, the site is cleaned up, and your before-and-after photos and findings are sent after the visit.
Soft washing vs. pressure washing a cedar roof
Soft washing (what we do)
Low pressure and a wood-safe solution kill and lift growth at the root. The cedar's surface stays intact, and the roof stays clean longer because the growth is treated, not just knocked off.
High-pressure washing
Blasts the top layer of wood away, raises fuzzy fibres, splinters edges, and can force water under the shakes. It looks clean for a moment but ages the roof faster.
Why Professional Cedar Roof Cleaning Is Better Than DIY
Cedar is soft, the roof is steep, and most of the damage we see on cedar roofs was caused by someone trying to clean them. A rented pressure washer gouges the grain, strips the surface, and drives water up under the courses. Walking on wet, mossy shakes is genuinely dangerous, and the wrong chemicals can burn gardens and discolour the wood. BTG Exteriors is fully insured and Working at Heights certified, works with proper roof and ladder safety equipment, and uses a low-pressure method designed for wood — so the roof gets cleaner and lasts longer, not the other way around.
Why Homeowners Choose BTG Exteriors
BTG Exteriors has cleaned homes across Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Burlington, and Oakville since 2019. Netasha Yokom is Hamilton-born and owner-operated, with 5.0 stars across 44 Google reviews — you deal with the person doing the work. The photo at the top of this page is from one of her own cedar roof jobs. Every quote is free and fixed, every visit ends with photos, and most clients pair cedar roof cleaning with gutter cleaning so the roof and drainage are handled in one visit.
Our Eco-Friendly Commitment
We use biodegradable, wood-safe solutions at low pressure, pre-wet and cover plants, manage runoff away from storm drains where possible, and rinse landscaping when we finish.
Cedar Roof Cleaning Results from Real BTG Jobs
How Much Does Cedar Roof Cleaning Cost?
Every cedar roof is quoted individually after a free walkaround. The price depends on roof area and pitch, storey count, how heavy the moss and lichen growth is, and how easy the roof is to access. You get one fixed price before work starts. Booking cedar roof cleaning together with gutter cleaning is the best value, since the gutters below catch most of the debris anyway. See our pricing guide for other services.
Why Clean Your Cedar Roof?
Moss holds water
Moss acts like a sponge between the shakes, keeping the wood wet for days after rain and lifting the butt ends so wind-driven rain gets underneath.
Lichen and mildew eat the surface
Black mildew and crusty lichen root into the wood fibres and break the surface down, which is why neglected cedar turns grey, soft, and brittle.
Debris blocks drainage
Leaves and needles pack into valleys and the keyways between shakes, creating dams that send water sideways instead of off the roof.
Curb appeal and resale
A cedar roof is a premium feature. Clean, warm-toned wood reads as cared for; a green, streaked roof makes buyers and inspectors start asking about replacement.
Signs Your Cedar Roof Needs Cleaning
The earlier growth is removed, the less damage it does to the wood.
- Green moss growing in the gaps between shakes or along the bottom edges
- Black streaks or a dark, blotchy cast across the roof
- Grey, fuzzy-looking wood that stays damp long after rain stops
- Leaves and needles packed into valleys or behind chimneys and skylights
- Shakes starting to cup, curl, or lift at the bottom edge
Why Cedar Roofs in the Hamilton Area Grow Moss
Cedar roofs are common in older neighbourhoods in Ancaster, Dundas, Westdale, and south-east Burlington, and in custom homes across Oakville and Flamborough — usually under big maples and oaks. That shade, combined with humid air off Lake Ontario and the cool, damp microclimate along the escarpment, keeps north-facing slopes wet for long stretches. Moss and lichen thrive in exactly those conditions. Roofs on open lots dry faster and need cleaning less often; heavily shaded roofs benefit from a cleaning every two years and a fall debris clear-out.
Get a Free Cedar Roof Cleaning Quote
Why Choose BTG Exteriors?
You Might Also Need
Many homeowners schedule window cleaning at the same time as driveway pressure washing or house washing for a complete exterior refresh.
Got Questions?
Cedar Roof Cleaning FAQs
What Our Clients Say
Real Results, Real Reviews
5-Star Rated on Google
"The appointment process was easy. Netasha was great to work with! Very satisfied with the results of my window/siding/eaves cleaning work."
Kathy Berglund
4 months ago · Google
"I had the best window cleaner in Dundas do my apartment windows today! So friendly and thorough. I highly recommend her!"
Kate Young
3 months ago · Google
"Netasha did an amazing job on all the windows we had her do. She was very professional and had all the pro equipment to get the job done in a timely manner. I highly recommend her for any of your window and trough cleaning."
Dan Kaiser
1 year ago · Google
"Also the friendly service and detail oriented job added to the experience. Absolutely recommend BTG Exteriors to anyone looking for a thorough clean."
Sarah M.
6 months ago · Google
"Fabulous customer service & a job always well done!!! Netasha is incredibly detail-oriented and takes real pride in her work."
James T.
8 months ago · Google
"Great attention to detail and very easy to work with! My windows have never looked this clean. Will absolutely be booking again."
Linda P.
5 months ago · Google