How To Repair An Old Slate Roof

This leads to rapid roof failure once the nails are no longer holding the slates in place.

How to repair an old slate roof. On properly installed well maintained hard slate roofs nail type fasteners can match the life of the roof. Slate roofs cost about 1 500 per square installed. 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. 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.

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. Even a slate roof that has been meticulously maintained will need to be replaced during someone s ownership. A square is a standard 10 x 10 unit used by roofers. Consider the age and condition of the roof versus its expected serviceable life given the type of slate employed.

Roof repairs are generally best left to a professional roofer who understands old buildings and has the appropriate access equipment. When replacement is necessary. On a soft slate or a deteriorating roof however moisture absorbed by the slates can penetrate to the nails. Is the number less than about 20.

Calculate the number of damaged and missing slates. Usually simple friction will hold this aluminum or copper repair plate in place for decades. If your slate roof is nearing the end of its life you may be considering a replacement. Synthetic slate roof cost.

Normally friction alone is enough to hold the lead bib in place. Dealing with roof problems. Of course replacing a slate roof with a new slate roof would be ideal but it can be an expensive proposition. The following guideline is provided to assist in the repair replace decision making process.

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.