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A Guide To Slate Roof Repair

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Slate has always been considered excellent to be used for roofs as it has long life, resists hail and is fireproof. This kind of roof is usually seen in churches, custom homes and country club houses. These slates are available in many colours, grades, sizes and weights. Though they have a long life, you need to do some slate roof repair periodically when you see some cracks in it or when you feel that it has become brittle. Roof leak repair is a specialized field and most people seek professionals who have certifications and experience in repairing particular roof types.

Individual pieces of slate are attached together using nails and they are fastened in a way much like you hand a painting on the wall. If you pound the nail too tight, it will pinch the slate. The inappropriate pounding can also cause cracks in the surrounding slates, hence there is no room for error. Other factors affecting condition of the slate roof are roof slope, condensation in attic interiors, mineral deposits, moss on slates, roof framing and quality of slater’s work.

Almost all the slate roofs have some slate, flashing or any other kind of mechanically installation error or damage. Leaks through these can be caused due to prolonged rains, during windy rainfalls or due to water backup behind ice dams.

Assessing the Roof

If you spot the leak in your slate roof and think that it is time for some slate roof repair, you can take the services of a roofer for initial consultation. This is an important stage of any slate roof repair, hence it is advisable to not rush through it. Once the problem is fully diagnosed, the roofer will tell you the exact problem along with solutions and total cost. For slate roof, it is better to repair them than to replace them as they have a longer life. Slate roofs are most commonly seen in higher end homes as they are quite expensive and it is hence advisable to get slate roof repair done by certified professional.

Starting Slate Roof Repair

If you decide to do the slate roof repair yourself, some of the things that you will need are extension ladder, safety goggles, work gloves, hammer, replacement slate, nail ripper, nail set, slate hook and scrap piece of lumber. Just bear in mind that slate is very slippery especially when set.

When you start slate roof repair, just keep in mind that all the broken slates have to be replaced. For removing the slate, first wear the work gloves and then use hook the nail ripper under the slate and over the shaft of the nail and use hammer it to cut the nail. Once, the slate is out, the roof is now ready for a new one. Cut the new slate so that it fits in that space and insert it gently and hook its lower edge on the slate hook. Use a temporary wedge so that existing slates are not broken. Repeat this procedure for all the broken slates.

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