Slate Roof Maintenance
Although a slate roof is initially quite costly, it will often last a lifetime and beyond.
However, to maintain your investment and make sure it lasts, a slate roof will need regular maintenance.
Slate Roof Maintenance Services
If it’s necessary to walk on the slates, walk in the middle of the slate and use soft-soled shoes. Wear a safety harness at all times when working at height.
You should check the roof from the attic before climbing to expect the outside areas. This is beneficial, as you’ll be able to see the inside layers of the roof clearly. Take a flashlight and check for water stains on the roof timbers, especially after a long period of rain. If the tiles have water stains, check for any hairline cracks.
You can also do a fair amount of checking at ground level. You can spot a sloped slate roof tile more easily from the ground. If the tiles look to have a powdery surface, this means the tile is deteriorating, and you’ll need to replace it. This problem is known as delamination. You can also check for gaps in the mortar joints along the ridgeline. If there are any obvious cracks or splits, you’ll need to replace the mortar.
You will need to take care of leaks as soon as you notice them before the problem becomes too bad. Don’t automatically assume it’s the slate roof that’s at fault. It could be the flashing, so you will need to check that as well. The flashing and the guttering are the weakest points of a slate roof, so look at them first.
You also need to check the sheathing under the slates when you’re fixing leaks. If you need to replace sheathing, don’t use plywood or pressure-treated materials.
Be sure to replace cracked or broken tiles immediately to avoid damage in your attic.
When you check the roof before winter, make sure you remove all the debris and foreign matter from the roof. If you don’t, this can cause ice to form on your slate roof and crack the tiles.
Ice dams can also form when ice melts and refreezes further down the roof and thus prevents natural run-off.
To stop this, especially if you live in a freezing climate, a heating cable along the gutter and eaves can help eliminate the problem.
However, never use a hammer to break up the ice of the slate roof. The slate will be brittle with the cold, and there’s a very good chance you’ll crack or split it accidentally.
