Houses with slate roofing are among the most desired properties on the market today! However, anybody who is planning to buy a house should know some fundamental facts about the slate and its attributes before acquiring a house with a slate roof. This could save you thousands so please read on!
# How old is the roof?
Slate is one of the most durable roofing materials available on the market. Slate shingles are capable of lasting for almost 200 years in suitable environments. But, if you are going to buy an older house with slate roofing, you need to scrutinise.
There are 2 types of slate – soft and hard. Hard slate is a robust material and is fire resistant and weather resilient. It does not absorb water or get affected by moisture. It maintains its composition for decades and can last for 75 to 200 years.
Soft slate has a life expectancy of 50 to 125 years and is not as strong as the former. So, if you are purchasing a house with soft slate roofing and it is 40 years old, you will incur heavy losses.
# What is the warranty on the roof?
The warranty of a roof often depends on the manufacturer. Some may guarantee their roofing materials to last anywhere between 75 to 100 years. Some warranties cover the materials against flaws for decades while holding the contractor responsible only for a few years from the date of completing the installation.
Every warranty policy does not transfer from one owner to another. Some may only transfer once. So, if the first owner installed the roof a decade ago and the present owner is going to sell the property, you will not inherit the warranty.
# How much will it cost to replace the slate shingles?
When maintaining slate roofs, you may face 2 main types of issues – faulty flashing and broken tiles. Sometimes, selected tile replacements are able to fix the second issue. If hard slate has been used for roofing, you can repair the entire roof by replacing the broken tiles as soon as possible. Waiting for more damage will lead to an entire roof restoration, making a few large holes in your pocket. The case is the same with faulty flashing.
In the case of soft slate, it is better to restore the roofing when they begin to crack, as they tend to spread easily. If you require new roofing, you better upgrade to hard slate shingles.
# Who installed the shingles?
Experience and training are needed to install slate shingles on a residential rooftop. If not set properly, they will create problems that can hamper the durability and integrity of the slate. This is why slate shingles need to be installed by an experienced and licensed roofing agency.
Slate roofing can be one of the most precious features on a property. When you move into a house with such roofing, you will likely not need to repair or replace the roof for decades. With all the benefits, slate shingles are one of the best options if you have asphalt or wooden roof and want it replaced. Contact our team today to do a free roof inspection so we can provide you expert advice on the state of your slate roof. The damage caused by a roof with failures can be very costly in the long term as it can even cause structural damage.
