Cedar shingles can last fifty years or more, but this is not a guarantee. If you want to get the most life from your shingles, you need to inspect them regularly and make repairs when necessary. Unlike other roofing materials like slate or tile, you should be able to make repairs to your cedar-shingle roof on your own.
Identifying Problems with Your Roof
A cedar roof has naturally occurring tannins which resist rot and help to preserve your roof. While these tannins will help to keep your roof intact, they will not maintain the color of your roof. Red cedar will fade to a dark grayish black color, and white cedar will fade to a silvery grey. Thus, discoloration in your roof is not a sign of damage. Instead, you should look for shingles that crack or break. Once a shingle breaks, you will need to replace it in order to keep your roof in good condition.
How to Replace Shingles
If you know what you are doing, you should be able to replace broken shingles in your roof on a Saturday afternoon. The following steps will help:
As you can see, you don't need any specialized equipment or training to make repairs to a cedar-shingle roof. Still, if you are not comfortable working on your roof, you can call someone like Starkweather & Sons Roofing & Siding to make the repairs for you.