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SLATE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Although a slate roof is initially quite costly, it will often last for a lifetime and beyond. In order to maintain your investment and make sure it lasts, a slate roof will need regular maintenance. This can be carried out cheaply and it’s work you can comfortably undertake yourself.
Regular Checks
At least once a year, you will need to carry out an inspection of your slate roof. Do this in the Fall so your roof will be effectively maintained for Winter. It’s important not to introduce too much foot traffic on your roof and, when you do, a ladder safely hooked onto the roof edge is the best way to carry out a full and detailed inspection as this will help to spread your weight. If it’s absolutely necessary to walk on the slates, walk on the middle of the slate and use soft-soled shoes. Wear a safety harness at all times when working at height.
Types of Repairs
Slate tiles resist weathering extremely well, but they can break easily if you walk on them. They’re most common in the northeastern United States, where many slate roofs date to the 19th century. Here are a few common repairs that homeowners should watch out for while maintaining their roofs:
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Replace individual slates
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Replace flashings and fastenings
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Restoration
Replace Individual Slates
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. A trained slater can repair individual slates easily. 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.
Replace or Repair Flashings and Fastening
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. While 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.
Fastenings
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.
Winter
When you check the roof before winter, make sure you remove all of the debris and foreign matter from the roof. If you don’t, this can cause ice to form on your slate roof and crack the tiles. Ice dams can also form when ice melts and refreezes further down the roof and thus prevents natural run-off. To stop this, especially if you live in a very cold climate, a heating cable along the gutter and eaves can help eliminate the problem.
