SLATE ROOF MAINTENANCE – 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.

 

SLATE ROOF MAINTENANCE

Slate roofs are famously durable and long lasting but need regular maintenance and occasional repairs to help them reach maximum longevity.  Slate is a timeless roofing choice, and many older buildings have retained their original slate roofs as they are generally quite hardy and long-lasting. However, as with all building materials, they will eventually begin to degrade. You need to know what to look for to judge if the time is right for a roof replacement.

Slate is a classic and hearty roofing material that adds elegance and distinctiveness to your home, place of worship, or business.  Although slate can cost more to install, that initial expense is mitigated by its incredible longevity, produces less environmental waste than its synthetic counterparts, and imparts a high-quality, old world durability to your home and surroundings.

Slate roofs have been around for nearly 1,000 years.  Old slate roofs have been discovered dating back to the early 1200’s in the United Kingdom.  In the United States, slate roofing was first used in the 1600’s and the first commercial quarry was opened in the Peach Bottom area of Pennsylvania in 1785.

With proper installation and routine maintenance slate roofs can last for a century (or longer).  Amateurs often mistreat or mishandle slate, resulting in an inferior product and avoidable repairs (and expenses).

While slate is rock hard, it is not impervious to damage.  If hit hard enough – or if an inexperienced contractor steps in the wrong place – a slate roofing tile can crack.  Cracks allow water into undesirable places, causing leakage, and eventually rot or other damage.  Slate roof cracks should be repaired immediately. Likewise for misaligned tiles, which might let in animals or debris, in addition to water.

Worse than cracks are missing tiles. In this case, more of the underlying roofing structure is exposed to the elements, which can more quickly damage nearby tiles and other parts of your roof. Slates work best together, without chinks in the armor. If you notice any missing slates, have them fixed right away. Water can infiltrate tender areas of your roof, causing mold, mildew, and rot, as well as algae. All of these are evidence of excess moisture, cause damage to the slates and roof, and are indicators of more serious problems elsewhere.

Common slate roof repairs include:

1. Fixing loose or broken slate tiles: Over time, slate tiles can become loose or even break, due to factors such as heavy winds or the natural expansion and contraction of the roof. These loose or broken tiles can be a source of leaks and other damage, so it’s important to identify and fix them as soon as possible.  This can often be done by re-securing the tiles with nails, hooks, or adhesive, or by replacing the damaged slates.

Replacing damaged flashing: Flashing is the metal or plastic strips that are used to seal the intersections between the roof and other structures, such as chimneys or skylights.

2. Over time, flashing can become damaged or corroded, allowing water to leak into the roof.  To fix this, the damaged flashing must be removed and replaced.

3. Repairing leaks: Leaks are one of the most common problems with slate roofs.  Leaks can be caused by a variety of factors, including broken or loose tiles, damaged flashing, or a lack of proper ventilation.  To repair leaks, the source of the leak must be identified and addressed, which may involve making repairs to the roof itself or to the flashing or other components.  In some cases, it may be necessary to remove and replace damaged sections of the roof.

A single leak could simply be down to weather damage, or one faulty or missing tile, so you don’t necessarily need to replace your entire roof.  However, if your home repeatedly springs leaks, or if there are several at once, it’s likely that your roof needs replacing.  A leak doesn’t always result in a large, obvious puddle, so if your property develops problems like damp, mildew or rusting then you should always look to the roof to diagnose the cause.

4. Removing moss or algae growth: Moss and algae can grow on slate roofs, especially in areas with high humidity or poor drainage.  This growth can cause the roof to deteriorate and become less effective at protecting the home from water damage.  To remove moss or algae, a homeowner can use a specialized cleaning product or hire a professional to perform the cleaning.

Other slate problems

Delamination

Slate is a naturally occurring resource that forms in strong but distinct layers.  Towards the end of its useful life, these layers may begin to split apart in a process called delamination.  This leads to a roof that is less sturdy and more prone to leaks and breakages.  However, even high-quality slate’s layers are often slightly visible, so unless there are clear flakes and gaps, it can be hard to tell whether you are simply looking at the natural pattern in the stone. If you are not sure what delamination looks like, ask a surveyor to take a look.

Age

If you notice frequent leaks, broken tiles, or delamination in older roofs then it’s likely the problem will only accelerate as the roof ages.  It will be worth your time, and money, to take pre-emptive action and replace the whole roof.  For newer roofs with multiple issues, assess the overall condition of the roof closely to ensure that these are just isolated issues before deciding if a full replacement is needed.

In general, it’s important for homeowners to regularly inspect their slate roofs and address any issues as soon as they arise in order to prevent further damage and maintain the integrity of the roof.  If a homeowner is unsure of how to make a particular repair, it’s always best to consult a professional.