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Natural slate roofing: new slate roofs, re-slating and repairs

Natural slate is the most traditional roof on Victorian and Edwardian houses, and one of the best-looking roofs on a new one. We re-slate tired roofs, lay new slate roofs, and repair slipped and broken slates properly. A recent job was a full natural slate roof in Petts Wood.

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What a re-slate includes

The slates come off and so does everything under them:

  • Scaffolding, stripping and a skip, all in the price
  • New breathable membrane and new treated battens set to the slate's gauge
  • New natural slates, or sound original slates reused where they are worth saving
  • Each slate nailed twice, or hooked where the job calls for it
  • Lead valleys and flashings renewed, and the ridge rebedded or dry-fixed
  • Roof windows fitted and flashed where you want them

Why old slate roofs fail

On most Victorian slate roofs the slates are fine. It is the iron nails holding them that have rusted through, so slipped slates start appearing in different places after every gale. That is called nail fatigue, and patching it buys a winter at a time. When it is happening across the whole roof, a re-slate is the answer, and good original slates can often go back on.

Slate repairs

One or two slipped or cracked slates are a straightforward repair: the slate is refixed with a copper or stainless tingle or a new slate is fitted, and the repair is photographed. Where we find widespread nail fatigue we tell you rather than keep coming back.

Questions

Is natural slate worth the extra cost?

On a period house it is usually the right roof, and a well-laid natural slate roof lasts a very long time. On a modern house it is a choice, and we will price slate and tile side by side if you want to compare.

Can my old slates be reused?

Often, if they are sound. We sort them on the roof, reuse the good ones and make up the rest with matching new or reclaimed slate.

Can you add roof windows at the same time?

Yes, and it is the best time to do it, while the roof is open.

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