Squamish · Roof cleaning
Moss on an older Dentville home with a cedar shake roof
Dentville is one of Squamish's original neighbourhoods. Some of its older homes still have cedar roofs, and cedar needs gentle hands.
November 6, 2026 · 2 min read · Spark Property Services
This story describes a typical situation we see in Squamish, not one specific customer.
The situation
An older home in Dentville has a cedar shake roof that's gone dark grey with patches of thick moss, especially on the side facing the neighbour's tall trees. The owner wanted the moss gone but had heard that cleaning can damage cedar.
That's true: done the wrong way, it can.
Why cedar is different
Cedar is soft compared with asphalt or tile. High-pressure water gouges and furs the surface and can split weathered shakes, which shortens the roof's life.
Moss growing between shakes also holds water against the wood, which is the bigger long-term problem.
How we approach it
Before cleaning, we look closely at the shakes. If many are split, cupped, loose or soft, the roof may need a roofer's assessment more than a clean, and we'll say so.
If the roof is sound, moss is removed by hand and with soft brushes, working with the grain, and rinsed at low pressure. Keyways between shakes are cleared so water can drain.
Gutters below get cleared at the end, since that's where the debris goes.
What to expect
A roof that drains and dries properly, with moss removed and an honest note on the condition of the shakes. Cleaning won't make an old cedar roof look new, but it helps it last.
Questions we hear
Will you pressure wash my cedar roof?
No. We remove moss by hand and use low pressure to protect the wood.
Can you tell if my roof needs replacing?
We'll point out what we see, but for a proper assessment you need a roofer.
