Welcome to Family Roofing

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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.

 

Slate Roof Maintenance

Slate roofs are popular largely because of their longevity and classic look. They can last up to 200 years, depending on the specific type. Other common roofing materials like clay and concrete last up to 50 years, while wood shingles can last 15 to 25 years. However, even slate tiles require periodic maintenance and occasional repairs.   An annual inspection is very important.  This is important for two reasons: it will let you know if any damage has occurred and it will keep you ahead of any major repairs.

It is important to know the service life of different components of your roof so that you can budget properly.  Being proactive about your roof is the best way to save money.  You always want to make a repair before it leaks.  Why spend the extra money on interior repairs too?

The most basic repair is the slate itself.  You are bound to have broken and slipped slates from time to time, especially if you have large trees around your home or there has been a strong storm.  Small, chipped corners on slate may look ugly but will not cause a leak. Instead, keep an eye out for missing or badly broken slates.

Replacing individual slates is the most common and least expensive repair for a slate roof. A few cracked slate tiles may not cause leaks right away, but you still need to replace them to avoid more expensive repairs in the future. A roofer with specific experience in slate tiles to inspect your roof and perform routine maintenance at regular intervals.

Fastenings attach slate tiles to the roof.  They’re typically nails, but they can also be hooks.  Some types of fastenings also require wire in addition to the primary fastener.  Fastenings are usually made of copper, steel or galvanized steel.  A slate roof doesn’t generally require replacement of the fasteners, provided it’s receiving regular, professional maintenance. However, excessive moisture can cause them to deteriorate.

The next type of repair is the flashings.  Flashings are the metal you see around the base of the chimney, at the ridge, on hips and in the valleys of your roof. These are commonly copper or galvanized steel on a slate roof.

Copper flashings have a service life of about 70 years and are maintenance free.  Copper will patina naturally in the elements and turn a dark brown, then a rich green.  The green color lets you know that it is getting older but still has service life left in it. When copper turns black, you know that time is ticking.

Galvanized flashings can last between fifteen and twenty years and needs to be kept painted or they will rust very quickly. fWhile galvanized flashings may be more economical for you if you need a repair, keep in mind that they will require regular painting and over the long run, may not be any less than copper.

Chimneys can be a complete headache for a homeowner if not maintained.  You have to consider the chimney itself, the masonry, the flashing and the cap or flue covers. These different parts all have their own job in keeping water out of your home.

Chimneys can be very tricky because there are several different causes for a chimney leak.  Inspecting the flashing to make sure it is still in good condition, checking the bricks and joints for any missing mortar and verifying that the chimney is properly lined if it is used to vent a furnace are good ways to guard against leaks.

The final aspects of your roof that you will want to keep in good working order are your gutters and downspouts.  Both box gutters and hanging gutters each have their own maintenance needs.  Box gutters are built into the rafter system of your roof, and from the ground they look like decorative wood molding around the perimeter of your home.  The trough of the gutter is lined with metal, either copper or galvanized.

 Gutters are responsible for getting the water away from your home.  Interior leaks in walls and basements and erosion around your home can all be attributed to gutter leaks.

Having a yearly inspection of your roof and gutter system by a trained slate roofer will help ensure that your roof continues to do its job and can help prevent major repair bills.