Repair Or Replace Slate Roof

Slate s reputation for durability is accurate to a point but even the highest quality slate fails eventually and must be replaced.

Repair or replace slate roof.

This article explains how to remove and replace individual slates during repairs to a leaky or damaged slate roof. Alternately you need to learn the basics of slate roofing to be able to make your own informed decisions. Slate as a material. To this end i would like to discuss slate as a material slate repair slate replacement and contractors.

The astm is the american society for the testing of materials. Replacing a slate roof. How to replace missing cracked or damaged roofing slates. A roofing expert can.

Slate roofs can and should be maintained and repaired to effectively extend their serviceable lives. I do this by educating building owners on effective maintenance and appropriate repairs of slate. Lead bib slate repair if the roof hasn t got too many mistakes a good method of repair is the lead bib it s simply a section of code 3 or 4 flashing lead cut large enough to sit under the faulty slate or bad overlap to make it waterproof and the repair invisible. The rule of thumb among slaters is to push for replacement once 20 30 of the slate has deteriorated beyond reasonable repair.

Replacement on the other hand needs to take place at some point in the life of all slate roofs particularly those on older historical houses. When replacement is necessary details contributing to the appearance of the roof should be retained. How to tell when to replace a slate roof. Normally friction alone is enough to hold the lead bib in place.

In fact it s usually the fixings and the supporting timbers that deteriorate before the slate tiles themselves. In most cases re roofing is an option if the existing roof is damaged beyond repair. Re roofing is the process of completely removing the current roof and making way for an entirely new one. By using copper tabs or slate hooks it is possible to replace just a single roofing slate where needed.

Slate roofs are a critical design feature of many historic buildings that cannot be duplicated using substitute materials. See my website link below for more roofing help http www fixmyroof co uk videos and guides pitched roof repair a slate roof this video shows not only how. Replace slate with slate when inspecting a building with a slate roof i feel it is my responsibility to encourage the preservation of the historic character of this durable natural material.