Maintain Your Slate Roof – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

Maintain Your Slate Roof

The best way to keep a slate roof looking its best for the longest is with an annual roof maintenance inspection.  It’s also the best way to avoid leaks that can lead to expensive interior repairs.  If you’ve just moved into a home with a slate roof, an inspection often reveals that a damaged roof can be repaired rather than replaced.

The best time for an inspection is either in the fall to prepare for harsh winter weather or in the spring to clean up from the severe winter weather.

You may be tempted to make those inspections yourself, but it’s always best to leave it to the professionals.  An experienced slate roofing contractor– not just any contractor, but one that specializes in slate – knows how to safely access your slate roof to avoid damaging the slate, what to look for, and how to make any needed repairs.  Depending on the height and pitch of your roof, trying to inspect your roof can be dangerous for someone who isn’t accustomed to climbing around on rooftops.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t keep an eye on your slate roof between inspections.  Here are a few steps you can take to help ensure the durability and beauty of your slate roof without risking damage to your roof or yourself.  If you spot anything that looks amiss, contact a slate roofing contractor as quickly as possible.

Steps:

1.   Inspect your interior spaces for signs of a leak especially after a long period of rain.  Look for moisture damage in the attic and all of your living areas – even on the first floor.

2.   Look up at your roof from the outside every so often and look for cracked tiles or tiles that look like they’re slipping or missing.

3.   Check for fallen slates around the perimeter of your home.

An annual inspection is much more thorough and should help avoid any of these issues from occurring.

Inspect the Slate Tiles

Despite its durability, you’re bound to have a broken or slipped slate occasionally especially if your home is surrounded by large, mature trees or there’s been a nasty storm.  Individual slates can either be repaired or replaced by a trained slate roofer.

Inspect the Flashings

You may be surprised to learn that the flashing and gutters are the most vulnerable parts of a slate roof, so keeping them maintained is imperative to keeping your slate roof in good shape.

Flashing is a thin, weatherproof material such as copper or galvanized steel that is used around windows, doors, gutters, chimneys or any exterior joint.  The purpose of flashing is to keep water from getting under your tiles.

Although copper flashings are initially more expensive than galvanized, they also typically last about 70 years compared to galvanized flashings that usually last fifteen to twenty years and require regular painting. Plus, many people like the patina copper develops over time.

Inspect the Gutters and Downspouts

The purpose of gutters and downspouts is to direct water away from your home.  There are basically two types of gutters – box gutters are built into the rafter of your roof, and hanging gutters are attached to the eaves of your home.  We check to make sure there are no holes or blockages (like leaves and branches) in your gutters and downspouts and that the seams are still intact.

Inspect the Chimney

We look at the masonry, the flashing, and the cap or flue covers.  If any of these are damaged, it can lead to leaks inside your home.

Inspect the Sheathing or Roof Decking

Sheathing is the wood panels or sheet material that is fastened to your roof rafters.  The tiles are laid on top of the sheathing, so it’s imperative that the sheathing can withstand the weight of a slate roof and last as long as your slate roof.

A well-maintained slate roof will last you a lifetime.  Annual roof maintenance contracts will ensure the quality of your slate roof for many years to come.