When you talk about roofing, slate is one of the most popular materials that everyone loves. Along with being aesthetically pleasing, slate is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials. Slate is created simply through the power of nature and the expertise of craftsmanship. The proper installation of slate roofs requires zero to little maintenance in the long run. They can last for 100 years or more for creating a timeless look for your house. In this case, their age jumps over 100 depending on a few important factors – the type of slate used, roof configuration, and the region of the country where your property is located. Low maintenance and longevity can be considered the two most important factors of slate that every homeowner adores in this era.
How Can a Slate Roof Get Damaged?
Slate is one of the most durable roofing materials your house needs for ultimate protection. It also comes with a zero to little maintenance policy making the material more ideal for homeowners. Slate can run for 100 years or more. But, despite having every kind of positivity, it can get damaged and accordingly, need to be repaired or replaced. Slate tiles are heavy, rigid, and low profile making them less likely to take on direct damage. But there is one thing that is the only source of damage to slate – Hail.
Hail damage simply appears as hail with sharp edges. You can also see it sometimes appearing as broken edges in tiles. If left untreated or unaddressed, hail can badly damage your slate roof. The common danger with hail that homeowners often wonder about is it leaves a small hole in the top of the slate oftentimes along with leaving a crater on the underside of the slate tile. Without close inspection of your roof, you cannot see these problems.
Further, the most common damage to your slate roof is simple wear and tear that results from natural ageing. As time passes on, thermal contraction and expansion leave no space for breaking down tiles. The mineral composition of the slate used has always been a major factor to depend on for determining whether slate roofs are deteriorating and needing repair.
Repair or Replacement?
Whenever the talk is about replacement or repair, think of it as a regular maintenance task. Slate roofs are built to last for 100 years or more. If you generate regular inspection and properly scheduled maintenance, you can easily make your slate reach that age. If you are looking forward to making your slate roof reach this milestone, make sure you replace missing or cracked slates with the help of an experienced contractor of slate to avoid any kind of damage. Whenever the slate is removed, it becomes problematic or critical to do the below-mentioned things ideally before replacing the tiles.
- Inspecting the damaged flashing
- Inspecting the underlying deck for rot
- Making appropriate repairs
Missing or broken slates are easy to repair but require careful examination by a professional roofing inspector who knows slate enough to determine if it is at the end of its life. There is a sign that you can utilise to know whether your slate needs replacement – when 20% or 30% of slate needs repair. Another two important signs indicating that your slate needs replacement are mentioned below.
- Powdering on the underside of your slate.
- Major flaking of your slate.
Whether anyone believes it or not, the best way to keep your slate roof healthy is to conduct regular inspections and proper maintenance with the help of a contractor or an experienced slater like the expert team at The Slate Roofing Company. Always rely on your slate roofer for achieving the best results with your roof in Sydney, the South Coast of NSW and the Southern Highlands. Contact our team today!
