Slate is a naturally occurring substance, and the location of the quarry will affect the colour of the slate. When you have a slate roof, you have a layer of stone covering your property from the elements because slate is created from mined stone that has been cut to size, how the surface's minor flaws and colour variations produce a distinct texture that is both tactile and visible. Slate is available in various colours, including red, green, and purple, in addition to the well-known dark grey shade.
One of the most robust roofing materials available is slate. It doesn't erode after years of rain, is wind- and fire-resistant, and is resistant to fire. Years of UV radiation exposure will also have little impact, so your slate roof will maintain its appearance for the duration of its useful life. A lot of people find the visual appearance of weathered slate appealing.
The Benefits Of Slate Roof
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Energy-efficient.
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Utterly resistant to flames.
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Environmentally-friendly.
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Long lifetime of at least 100 years.
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Low maintenance and long-lasting.
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Very minimal waste from roofing — Even when a slate roof needs to be replaced, the slates can occasionally be utilized again.
Several hues are offered for slate. Grey, blue-grey, black, various colours of green, deep purple, brick red, and mottled variants are the most prevalent. There are two types of slate, fading and unfading, and they both mean the same thing. The fading variety will undergo a similar colour change to wood as it turns a soft grey. The colour of these slates will likely change with exposure, but this is not a sign that they are degrading. It's crucial to obtain various samples from manufacturers and determine if they are fading- or unfading-resistant if you want to match an existing roof.
Repairing Slate Roofs
Even though it may initially seem intimidating to the newbie, fixing a slate roof is not very difficult. Never use mastics or other glues to repair slate. When installing slate roofing, a few specific tools are required.
- Slate Ripper
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Slate Hook
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Slate Hammer
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Spiral Nail
You'll need a slate ripper to remove a broken or otherwise damaged slate tile as the first step in replacing it. The tile needs to be removed, so slide your slate ripper underneath it and grab the nail with the hook. Repeat this process for the other tack, pulling firmly to remove the pin from the sheathing.
In the sheathing between the two slate tiles right beneath the slate, you are replacing, nail a stainless steel slate hook. Make sure the hammering is flush. Placing it in this way will allow you to align the bottom of the curve with the bottom of the tiles you are working on within the current course.
To insert your replacement tile and slot it snugly into the slate hook's cradle, use your slate ripper to pull the upper course of the slate up gently. The new slate won't require any direct nailing because it will be kept in place by the hook at the bottom, the slates on each side, and the slate overlapping it above.
Using the smaller head spiral nail stated above, fit your replacement slate into the area between the two slates above it, and then nail it in place. Slate will ensure that you are just deciding through the replacement of them. Since there will only be one nail, the holding power of spiral nails, especially for giant tiles, is crucial. Smooth nails have less holding force. To avoid breaking the slate, you should drill a hole in it first before nailing.
It would help if you covered the nail with a bib to stop water from seeping through. The bib is a little piece of copper or galvanized steel flashing with small slits cut onto the edges to aid in holding it in place beneath the slate. Then, slide the bib between the slate and the nail to keep everything dry.
Care for Slate Roofs
In general, slate roofs don't require much upkeep. Keep off the top as much as you can, and when you go up to inspect things, wear soft-soled shoes like tennis shoes rather than rugged boots because the less foot activity they receive, the longer they will endure.
They don't require routine maintenance other than a visual inspection every couple of years to look for loose, cracked, or scaling slate tiles and proper tree pruning to keep things away from touch with your roof. You can avoid more costly repairs if you check the slate tiles for damage and replace any.
Final Thoughts
For its beauty, slate is most highly regarded. It provides any house with a refined, classic appearance. Slate roofs are typically depicted in photographs as being grey. Slate tiles, however, are incredibly adaptable. Different colours, thicknesses, and sizes are available. You need to think about wear and tear with other conventional roofing materials. Slate, however, is more durable. Because it is water-resistant, you won't likely have a problem with mould or mildew.
