How to Fix Problems with a
Slate Roof - Home Improvement

Roof made from slate stone is one of the finest roofs available as it is natural, waterproof, last long and fireproof. It is said that the life of a good slate stone is close to 150 years so the roof made from slate stone is sure to give life if cared properly. So whenever your slate roof has some problem the only solution is not the re-roofing but you can examine to determine the particular problem and try to rectify it.
AS we know that life of the slate stone is quiet long so what is it that causes the problems. It can be use of wrong or damage slate tile at the time of roofing, damage caused by the walking person on roof while installing, wrong nails, use of soft slate, wrong installation or wearing of flashings If your slate roof is showing the signs of damages then it is the time to fix problems with a slate roof. It is better to contact your roofing restoration professional or consultant but you must be aware of the problem, what and how to do that. Four things are required to make or repair the slate roof. These are

• Slate Stone (for long life get the hard slate stone)
• Roof Deck of at least 3/4” in thickness (Board deck not the laminated wood)
• Flashings (Sheet metal joints)
• Nails (buy copper, stainless steel nails, hot-dipped galvanized or cut steel nails)

How to Fix Problems with a Slate Roof?

Before the replacement of slate stone tile try to find the one that is similar to the existing one. Although similar patterns are hard to find.

• Your old slate stone tiles are attached with the nails that are hidden. You must use the ripper to rip these out. Each slate stone tile on your roof will have two nails. Slide ripper under the slate roof and remove the nails. While removing the slate stone will also come along.

• Take the slate hook and drive it to the empty spot. Keep the new slate tile over the hook. This will place it where required.
• The underlayment of the slate roof is the paper underneath the slate roofing that is not the problem leading to the water leakage through the roof. The felt paper is installed at the time of roofing and to keep rain out until the completion of roof. After the completion it acts as a semi water resistant layer that eventually turn into dust. So if your roof is giving the problem of water leakage then you will have to see slate stone and nails rather than underlayment.
• You do not have any need to replace the whole roof if your nails are made of copper. It is the hard and soft slate stone that makes the difference. The galvanized nails or cut steel nails used in hard slate stone work well for century but in case of soft slate stone roof some moisture penetrates through slate to nails causing the deterioration of later. If at first place the wrong nails are used then you need to re do the entire roofing.
• Try to use hard slate stone rather than the soft slate stone

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