How To Repair An Old Slate Roof

Slate repair with aluminum on a slate roof with a coating of lichens a simple piece of flat aluminum flashing was pushed up under the slates to cover a hole3 observed by the roof inspector repairman.

How to repair an old slate roof.

Usually simple friction will hold this aluminum or copper repair plate in place for decades. On a soft slate or a deteriorating roof however moisture absorbed by the slates can penetrate to the nails. Slate roofs cost about 1 500 per square installed. Normally friction alone is enough to hold the lead bib in place.

If you are inspecting the roof from a ladder choose a few solid looking slate tiles from different areas of the roof and push hard on them with your hand. Assessing whether a slate roof needs repair or complete replacement has to be made based on the amount of repair the condition of the slates and other plans for the building. This leads to rapid roof failure once the nails are no longer holding the slates in place. When replacement is necessary.

If the tiles crack the roof is too old. Roof repairs are generally best left to a professional roofer who understands old buildings and has the appropriate access equipment. In some cases the existing sarking boards may be in sufficiently good condition to allow the new slates to be fastened onto the existing boards. Consider the age and condition of the roof versus its expected serviceable life given the type of slate employed.

Replacing a few tiles or slates is a relatively simple job but it is also important to work out why a problem has occurred and whether it is indicative of a larger failure. Is the number less than about 20. On properly installed well maintained hard slate roofs nail type fasteners can match the life of the roof. Even a slate roof that has been meticulously maintained will need to be replaced during someone s ownership.

Dealing with roof problems. Synthetic slate roof cost. The following guideline is provided to assist in the repair replace decision making process. A square is a standard 10 x 10 unit used by roofers.

Lead bib slate repair if the roof hasn t got too many mistakes a good method of repair is the lead bib it s simply a section of code 3 or 4 flashing lead cut large enough to sit under the faulty slate or bad overlap to make it waterproof and the repair invisible.