I just thought I would devote a page to the beauty of slate. I didn't install these original roofs, but I have made the odd repair on some of them over the years.
Slate is a natural roof in the truest tradition and last hundreds of years when properly installed. I do annual maintenance for regular customers on these and others. I'll go around the house, clean the gutters, inspect the ridges and field for potential problems that might cause leaks.
I really like the random patterns generated by slate when using various sizes on one roof. Most slate roofers strive to give a semblance of order by installing them like asphalt shingles in neat orderly rows. A look at these slate roofs will show why slate should be installed randomly. To borrow a phrase, what we have here is "Curb Appeal".
Ever wondered how slates are repaired? Here's a very good link Slate Roof Central - How To Repair a Slate Roof provided by Jenkin's Slate.
After removing the broken slate, a new one is slid in and
attached with a copper nail.
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Then, a copper or aluminum bib is slid in.
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Then the bib is slid up to cover the nail and at least 2"-3" beyond the top of
the keyway to get a good headlap, and ensure water can't get to the nail or hole
in the new slate.
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This first pic shows caulking in the keyways. A great way to
divert water UNDER the roof.
Here's an interesting 'repair'. Somebody put a hole in the
middle of the slate causing one leak. The opening at the top of the keyway is
where they caused an even bigger leak!
Here's is another jackleg repair that still leaks. Roof cement
does NOT make workable slate repairs.
Just another look at how NOT to make ANY roof repairs, whether
it's slate, tile, shingles, or whatever.
Putting any sealer on a slate roof raises the cost of any repairs exponentially. Since slate are replaced and charged by the piece, one broken slate where the homeowner slaps some cement on the opening, will cause 5 to 7 slate to need to be replaced, not the one. Jobs that would cost $300.-$500. will often exceed $2,000.00 if the home owner decides to use cement or anything else, including coating in a DIY effort. If you want to go the DIY route, but a roll of .019 Black/Brown aluminum and cut slate sized pieces from it and and slip the pieces under and over the broken slate to make temporary repairs. Then, when a professional comes to make the permanent repairs, the cost will not increase.
Conversely, if you go ahead and put enough goop on the roof, a once permanent roof will need to be replaced, most likely with a shingle roof that will have to be replaced every 10-20 years.
Now here's one I was under bid on and a larger company around here made the repairs. Yes, THIS IS their idea of a repaired slate roof.
Yes, this is their idea of a finished product!
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