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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.

 

STEPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR SLATE ROOF

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.

Regular Checks

At least once a year, you will need to carry out an inspection of your slate roof.  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.  It’s best to call a professional.

Clean the Roof: The first step in maintaining a slate

The slate roof needs to be washed every year with a mild soap and ammonia solution, or else algae may grow on the slates and hold moisture in, which can lead to premature decay of the concrete beneath.  Washing also removes dirt buildup from rain that collects when no gutters are present.  Be careful not to disturb any mosses growing between tiles because they act as natural insulation for your roof’s surface!  If you do brush them off accidentally, make sure you put new ones back into place quickly; otherwise, these gaps will let water seep through more easily than before.  You should use a long broom or scrubber made of wire bristles (or old mop) to clean the roof so that you can reach both sides of each tile.   Cleaning one side at a time ensures that any dirt removed from one half doesn’t end up on the other, which would make your job twice as dusty!

Stay Ahead of Slate Repairs

Your annual inspection will alert you to any damage that might have occurred over the course of the year, and especially during the punishing conditions of winter.  When you have a slate roof, you can expect that the most common damage will be to the slates themselves.

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.

These aren’t just unattractive; they can also lead to significant damage to your roof, as well as to interior and exterior walls.  A damaged roof, for instance, can lead to leaks and moisture buildup that can contribute to the growth of dangerous mold and mildew and cause your wood to decay and deteriorate.  If there is a broken or slipped tile, water can get under the roofing system.  If this goes unchecked, eventually the roof repair will grow to include replacing underlayment, battens and decking.  By checking it and repairing the roof annually, you save yourself from larger repairs down the road.

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

• Verify that the chimney is properly lined if used to vent a furnace

Don’t Forget the Gutters

Another aspect of slate roof maintenance is to keep your gutters and downspouts in good working order.  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.

Hanging gutters are attached to the eaves of your home using hangers and are visible from the ground.  The trough of the gutters is typically lined either with copper or galvanized steel. As with flashings, if your gutters are galvanized, they will need regular painting.  Both types of gutters will also need inspection at least once a year to make sure there are no holes and that the solder seams are still intact.  This is also a great time to remove debris from the troughs.

If you have a lot of debris that builds up in your gutters, you might consider installing a leaf screen or leaf guard.  These can generally be installed on existing gutters, and make it so that your gutters require less maintenance.  Gutters are responsible for getting the water away from your home, so improper maintenance can be as damaging to your home as the failure to repair and replace your slates can be.

Apply Sealant: You should also apply sealant on the cracks and joints of the slates

Damaged slates can often be repaired with a new slate, but if they’re too damaged then you may need to take the roof off and replace it entirely.  The sealant will make the roof more waterproof and help protect it from any damage.  The first thing you should do is to apply a coat of primer onto your slates, then cover the joints with tar paper or felt strips, before applying an additional coat of sealant.

Replace Missing or Damaged Slates: It’s important that you replace any missing or damaged slates as soon as possible

These can be easily replaced by nailing a new slate over the old one, or with a metal strip if it’s just part of the roof that needs repairing.  The most important maintenance procedure for your slates is to replace missing and damaged ones.  A loose nail will cause more damage than you might think — not only does water get under the nails which cause rot, but also when snow falls during wintertime, it slides off onto adjacent areas instead of melting because there are gaps between some tiles due to loosening nails.

Remove Moss and Algae

This needs to be done using algae-specific cleaners and a stiff brush.  This moss can grow on the roofing slates themselves, growing between them in crevices that are difficult to reach with any other means.  The algae will need more effort than the moss but both must be removed thoroughly before resealing the slate joints properly or it will just happen again soon enough.

• It is necessary for those who do not have the experience to hire someone experienced at this type of job because there are sharp edges that could easily cause injury if you slip up while working on your own.

• If an individual chooses to remove moss and algae from their own roof, they should wear long sleeves as well as gloves so that debris does not get into open wounds.