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

Investing in a slate roof is very much worth it because it can last for more than a lifetime.  You won’t have to think about replacing your roof after installation.  However, you need to have your slate roof properly maintained.  The usual problem with a slate roof is that most people often mistake its durability, which lasts more than 100 years, as something that doesn’t need any maintenance.  It is definitely not the case.  As with other types of roofing, it also needs regular maintenance by experts in slate roofing.

Get an Annual Inspection

If you have a slate roof, by far the most important thing you can do to maintain it is to have an annual inspection.  The first step is to have your roof professionally inspected every spring. This is important for two reasons: it will let you know if any damage occurred throughout the winter and it will keep you ahead of any major repairs.  Slate roof maintenance often includes gutter cleaning, inspection for damaged areas, and cleaning of the roof to remove debris, mold, mildew, and moss.

Why Is It Important To Maintain a Slate Roof?

While it’s true that a slate roof doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, it doesn’t mean that it should be entirely ignored.  Staying consistent with its regular annual maintenance makes a big difference between having to incur a lot of expenses due to roof repairs or enjoying a premium quality type of roofing.  Failing to give attention to even such a minor issue as cracks could lead to bigger problems down the line.

How Do You Maintain a Slate Roof?

Some of the most common parts of a slate roof you need to pay attention to include slate tiles, flashings, and gutters.  For instance, if you find your copper flashings turning from green to black, it’s a clear indication that it has almost reached its end-of-life and needs to be replaced.

In a nutshell, slate roof maintenance usually involves:

  • A thorough inspection of the individual slate tiles

  • Removal of debris or mildew in between tiles

  • Gutter cleaning

But the three crucial steps of slate roof maintenance involve inspecting, cleaning, and repairing the roofing system.

Regular Roof Inspections

Having an experienced roofer inspect your slate roof annually is the most important part of maintenance.  The best time for an annual inspection is usually spring, as it will help determine if the roof has sustained damages during winter.  Plus, it will give you enough time to have the roof repairs done early in the year.

Some of the things that should go through inspection include:

  • Slate tiles: Falling branches due to strong winds and other flying debris during a storm can hit some parts of your roof and cause some slates to slip or break.

  • Flashings: Copper flashings, no matter how durable, can only last for about 70 years.  So even if it doesn’t get damaged, you will still have to get it inspected and changed before the slate roof is replaced.

  • Gutters and downspouts: Roofing contractors also will inspect your gutters and downspouts as they are an essential part of your roofing system. If there are blockages, water will not be redirected effectively away from your house.

  • Chimney: A thorough inspection includes checking your chimney for issues like missing bricks and joints. Ensuring your chimney is in good order means keeping your slate roof safe from issues, as well.

  • Sheathing: It’s important to inspect sheathing as slate tiles are laid on top of them. If it can’t handle the slate roof’s weight, you must rectify it as soon as possible.

Routine Roof Cleaning

Roof cleaning may seem to be very simple, but that’s where most homeowners fall short, as slate roofing materials require utmost care and handling.  While slate tiles are resistant to fire and can withstand extreme changes in temperature, it doesn’t mean it’s the same thing for strong chemicals or pressure.  It’s never a good idea to attempt to clean the dirt buildup, mildew growth, and water stains on your roof with chemicals, such as ammonia or bleach.  Using a pressure washer is also not recommended since there’s a good chance you can break the slate shingles apart.  Experienced slate roofing contractors have the proper tools and use the right approach in cleaning different types of gutters and roof decking.

Prompt Roof Repairs

There are two ways a slate roof tile can break.  This usually happens if strong pressure hits it, either because of a storm or someone has walked on the roof.  But repairing a broken slate tile is as easy as sliding the individual slate out and replacing it with a new one.  Other roof components that usually need repairing are the flashings and fastenings.  Whether copper or galvanized steel, the malleable material used in flashing does not last as long as the slate roof itself.  As such, it needs to be replaced several times throughout the roof’s lifetime.

Fasteners, including screws, nails, and hooks, are another weak spot in a slate roofing system.  These fasteners used to secure the tiles onto the roof can deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to excessive moisture.

Mind the Flashings

In addition to chipped, broken, and missing slates, your slate roof will also be vulnerable at the flashings.  These are the metal pieces that can usually be found around chimneys, at the roof ridge, and in the hips and valleys of your roof.

On slate roofs, flashings are usually made of copper or galvanized steel.  If you have copper flashings, you may get off pretty easy when it comes to maintenance since copper flashings generally last around 70 years and are practically maintenance-free.

But if you have an older home, then your copper flashings may already have outlived their expiration date and may need replacement or repair.  A good way to assess is by the color. Copper flashings will develop a patina over time, turning from dark brown to rich green.

If your copper flashings are green, that’s a tell-tale sign they’re aging, but still have some time left to them.  If the flashings have turned from green to black, though, then that’s a good indication they’re past their prime and may need replacing.

If you have galvanized steel flashing, on the other hand, you’re looking at a life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years.  To prevent galvanized flashings from rusting, though, you’re going to need to keep them painted.

Take Care of Your Chimney

Chimneys can be a complete headache for a homeowner (and a roofer) 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.  To guard against leaks, a professional will look for the following:

  • Inspect the flashing to make sure it’s still in good condition

  • Check the bricks and joints for any missing mortar