The Cedar Doctor s. Preserve your Home & Equity 10+ Industry Tips Inside! Restore Preserve Maintain.

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1 The Cedar Doctor s Preserve your Home & Equity 10+ Industry Tips Inside!

2 With a little care and maintenance, your cedar wood can be looking great for decades! What is Cedar Wood? Western Red is the most popular cedar timber imported into New Zealand. It has a combination of soft wood and hardwoods in its composition. It has naturally occurring fungicidal compounds called Thujuplicins that produces the woods fine grain, decay resistance and colour range. Cedars slow growth and naturally oily extractives are responsible for its decay resistance and its rich colouring. It is most prominently grown and cultivated within the southern regions of Canada and Northern states of America. The cellular composition of cedar, which is millions of tiny air filled cells, means it has a high degree of thermal insulation on roofs and walls, and is a far superior insulator to brick, steel or concrete. As well, it is great for absorbing sound. So, cedar wood has quite a few advantages over other types of wood as cedar homes are cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Cedar wood has been used since ancient times in construction and ship building.

3 Tip #1 Check your house regularly Check the outside of your house for mold and lichen regularly. They both add to the breakdown of the timber. Cedar treated with a film forming product such as paint may have small cracks where water could get in and remain behind the paint barrier causing rot. Check the cracks or places where water could be getting in, this can prevent small issues from becoming big problems! Why Use the Experience of Cedar Doctor as Your Cedar Wood Specialists? Before Cedar Doctor application We pride ourselves on being experts at external cedar refurbishments. We provide many services including: cedar timber repairs, pre-purchase cedar inspection, a quote and assessment of your home, cedar home treatment, roof painting, deck cleaning and finishing, cedar door options and cedar house staining. We offer free quotes so that you get all of the information you need about your exterior requirements. We will also paint a clear picture of what your house will look like once the refurbishments are complete. At CDR we aim to exceed customer expectations, providing the highest quality standard of work and leaving you with a beautiful home exterior. After Cedar Doctor application

4 Tip #2 Cut back over hanging vines and trees Overgrown foliage not only brush against the timbers damaging the finish but excessive shade can trap moisture in for longer which encourages decay and more commonly, moss and mould growth. Why Use Cedar for a House Building Product? Cedar is naturally insect and rot resistant and it also does not typically splinter. The wood is able to fend of insects, temperature related stresses and rot. The light porous texture of cedar wood gives it a high insulating value and it means that this wood is perfect as siding for your house. The fact that it can also absorb noise means that it is great wood to use for your house or fence especially if you re living in a city or on a noisy street. Cedar is a great finishing product that goes the distance. It looks elegant and will stand the test of time when treated properly. Although cedar wood can withstand a lot it still needs to be well looked after and maintained. Cedar is naturally insect and rot resistant.

5 Tip #3 Clean your roof routinely Leaves and other debris that can accumulate on roofs tend to trap moisture in shingles which will increase the likelihood of decay. Myths about Cedar Wood A common recurring myth about the use of cedar wood is that it has significantly low maintenance. The truth is that any organic substance can deteriorate over time. Although it does contain a large amount of natural preservatives, these natural chemicals are depleted over time due to the effects of sun, wind and rain. Cedar, just like any other material, needs maintenance to help retain its integrity. But I want my cedar to weather naturally (silver-over). Silvering is the result of the outer layer of fibers breaking down. The amount of decay varies and is not consistent. It is reliant on how the weather manages it. This method is unreliable and the silvering will progress to harbor mould spores and the boards will eventually turn black. To get the desired even affect we use gray pigmented wood oil. Cedar requires maintenance like any other oranic material.

6 Tip #4 Maintain your cedar! Due to sun, wind and rain damages, cedar wood needs maintenance to retain its beautiful appearance. Why Cedar Needs Special Care to Maintain Good Looks and Value Cedars worst enemy is the sun, and in New Zealand we do have some of the harshest UV rays in the world. Good maintenance is so important because this sun damage causes opportunity for lichen, mildew and mould. After a while, without the proper care, timber can begin to look aged and dirty, and the boards can become dry and cupped. Good maintenance is important when it comes to Cedar.

7 Tip #5 Putting off cedar treatment will cost you more in the long run Putting off any maintenance work will cost you more in the end. It s a rule of thumb. If you notice any deterioration with your cedar give our team a call or leave a message on our website. Prevention is always better than the cure! Never more so, than with your expensive cedar. If you forego looking after your cedar cladding then it is likely that it will need replacing in the future. This will mean expense and hassle. It pays not to neglect your home maintenance Things to Look Out For: Discolouration of the timber Uneven colour Areas turning black, red or green Cupping of the boards (the gap under the bottom board, usually in combination with splitting and pulling of the nails and nails being pulled through the boards) It pays not to neglect your home maintenance. Accumulation of mildew and lichen

8 Tip #6 Dirt and dust causes deterioration, discoloration and decay This is a fantastic time to talk to Cedar Doctor, as cedar wood can easily be damaged. It is best not to DIY when treating cedar as it can be risky. The life expectancy of your timbers could be reduced, and once damaged, cedar is unsightly and very difficult to make right Refinishing Your Cedar Variables such as previously used products, differing levels of wear and tear, unexpected lightening and darkening of the timber after washing etc, require special treatment. These treatments will include varying combinations of materials and cleaning techniques. DIY treatment for Cedar is not always the best option.

9 Tip #7 You should never use a domestic grade water blaster on cedar wood Domestic grade water blasters are far too harsh to use on Cedar. Professionals use a pressure or power wash that has a far lower PSI. Never do this unless you are an expert as it can cause severe damages to the soft wood that cannot be repaired. We are experts A common thought amongst the Kiwi home handy man is, how difficult can it be? Many find out the hard way and sometimes the mistakes are costly. There are processes and techniques that ensure a perfect finish that only comes with practice, and the Cedar Doctor Team has had years of practice. Whatever you decide to do give us a call first. We are always ready to give some friendly and timely advice. We always give you a solution that suits you and your situation. Even rugged cedar surfaces, like garage doors should still be washed gently.

10 Tip #8 Wash regularly A gentle wash with a low pressure hose to clear spider webs, dirt and dust every six months will keep it looking clean and fresh. Regular Washing After finishing the house it will still require regular gentle washes at least twice a year. This is well within the realm of the handy DIY er. But if finding the time is an issue then Cedar Doctor can get this done. We will come around and discuss your requirements in direct relation to the condition, location, and the products that have previously been used on your home. Professional cleaning is a good way to ensure a complete and even wash, as the key to achieving the best attainable finish is in the preparation. A gentle was every few months will save money on repairs.

11 Tip #9 Get the right advice There are a host of people out there who will offer you their opinion. There are a multitude of articles online that will advise and caution you. For us at CDR every situation is different and giving the right advice and a tailored solution for your circumstances is extremely important for your peace of mind. Coatings Applying the right product to cedar wood is absolutely essential. Talking to Cedar Doctor will give you informed choices and peace of mind. There are numerous options available to choose from, however Cedar Doctor use and recommend only proven products. Transparent, non-flexible, film-forming finishes such as urethane, varnish and paint are not recommended for cedar. Cedar s porous fibers means it shrinks and expands with temperature more than normal siding. Regardless of the number of coats, the finish will develop cracks in the coating film and will fail to protect your cedar. Make sure your gutters are functioning properly.

12 Tip #10 Call us now Call Now For a Free Quote and Cedar Inspection of Your Home! Freephone: John and Ana Skellon established CDR in 2005 and between them have extensive experience in the business of wood restoration. They now work in partnership with an experienced team of tradesmen to refurbish external cedar cladding, timber decks, garages and entrance doors. Adding longevity, beauty and value to your timber structures is the foundation of CDR. From the beginning, the company philosophy has always been to bring to our customers a quality refurbishing service that delivers a 100% satisfaction rate. View videos and our treatment services now at We treat cedar wood with cleaning, conditioning and sealing.

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