CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
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 PROBLEMS
Slate roofs are extremely durable and long-lasting, as well as being very attractive but, like any roof, they do experience their share of issues over time.
When a slate roof has been in use for some time, there are likely to be a few missing or broken slates, or the slates might be falling prematurely. Since slates are basically made of stone, organic rock might have some hairline fractures that could probably break and cause significant damages to your house.
MISSING AND SLIPPED SLATES
Extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong winds, hail and snow, can result in slates becoming misplaced. Whether they are completely removed or slip out of position, it’s important to see to this quickly so that the roof doesn’t become compromised. Slate tiles can be easily replaced but it’s important that this is done by a roofing specialist.
BROKEN SLATES
As well as slates which go missing or slip out of position, extreme weather can also cause existing slates to break. This can be caused by extreme weather, but if many of your slates are broken or fractured it could be a sign that the slate is actually becoming soft and might need inspecting by a professional.
NAIL SICKNESS
Originally, nails used to fix individual slates into place to form the slate roof were made from iron or poor-quality steel. This means that they are likely to rust and decay over time. Nail sickness is a term used to describe the situation where this happens to multiple slates on one roof. If this happens, it is again important to get a professional roofer in to assess the situation and make any necessary repairs or replacements.
DELAMINATION
The texture of slate tiles is layered due to it being a natural material. When slate begins to approach the end of its life, the layers you see might begin to split apart and this is the process that we term delamination. If this is not dealt with quickly, it can lead to further problems with your slate roof such as breakages and leaks. However, the layers in slate can be distinct so be careful not to confuse naturally prominent layers with delamination. The most obvious signs tend to be flaking and gaps.
FLASHING DAMAGE
Damage to the flashing is a common problem for all types of roofs and this is no different for slate roofs. The flashing is the sheet metal that lines and protects vulnerable areas of the roof from water. However, because it is typically made of metal, it is vulnerable to rust and corrosion over time. If this happens, the flashing will most likely all need to be replaced by a professional roofer.
At some point, even when you have chosen the right slate variety, over time, the flashings can wear out. When this happens, leaks will start before the slate roof reach the end of their lifespans. Moreover, slate shingles are also often mounted between different roof planes to keep water from entering the roof valleys, chimneys and other weak spots. The moment you start noticing flashing deteriorating, it’s wise to begin replacing them immediately. Remember that the inability to mitigate these leakages allows the water to penetrate the roof, which may do more harm than you expected.
Choosing the Wrong Variety of Slate
All slates are stones, but not all slates are the same. Slates are harvested from the earth and are worked out to create shingles. As an excellent material for roofing, slate roofs have a longer life span, since they are built of stone and are constructed of recycled material. Nonetheless, there could be inevitable, unseen cracks that may lead slate to disintegrate.
Dependent upon the variety of slate you prefer for your house, the life expectancy of slate roofs can even differ. In some instances, there are slate varieties that crack and start drying and flaking when nearing the end of their life expectancy. Therefore, before considering some slate shingles for your roof, you should evaluate the quality of the slate variant, the longevity and the nature of the slate roof if you wish it to last.
Poor Installation
The roof may be in decent shape, but if it was not built properly in the first place, a lot of damage is likely to happen. Therefore, you ought to take your time and select the best construction professionals on your roof and ensure sure the job is done in the right way.
What Can You Do?
If you want your fresh slate roof to last, you should extract faulty slates and substitute them with fresh ones, as similar as possible to the previous ones, to prevent any discoloration or odd-looking places in the roofing system. Make sure that you mount them correctly and use copper flashing. Working with an established roofing company can go a long way in preventing slate roofs from falling prematurely and other damages that come along with faulty slate roofings.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
Slate roofs are extremely durable and long-lasting, as well as being very attractive but, like any roof, they do experience their share of issues over time.