If you are searching for a roofer to carry out a slate roof replacement then you have landed on the correct page.
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Slate Roofs Fife
Searching for the right roof for your home and business can take you in many different directions.
Sometimes, property owners can feel overwhelmed by the choices that they have to make.
Each roofing material has its place and ideal function, so what may work for one property may not work for yours.
Overall, you should carefully consider your needs and budget in order to make a well-informed decision.
Slate roofing is a durable and well-regarded roofing material that has the potential to outlast other types of roofs.
However, its advantages do come with some setbacks.
Here are the pros and cons of slate roofing that you need to know to choose wisely.
Slate Roofs Fife: The Pros and Cons Of A Slate Roof
The Pros
- They are long-lasting – many years as a standard life expectancy. When a roof is going to outlive you and see your grandchildren’s children and beyond, you know that it’s made out of a quality material. This natural stone is tough against extreme temperatures and weather patterns, making it able to last through generations of occupants and seasons.
- It’s Fireproof – Not fire-resistant or fire-retardant, but completely incapable of catching on fire.
- It’s natural – Slate is a natural stone, which means it can be harvested in different colours, thicknesses, and variations.
- It’s good for the environment. While synthetic roofing materials can contribute to landfills, slate is a natural stone that can be re-purposed after its roofing job is done. In addition, it lasts so long compared to other roofs that you’ll be sparing landfills waste from other materials with shorter lives.
The Cons
- It’s heavy – This is why you need the experts at LC Joinery Roofing and Building Work to inspect your home to see if it has the structure to handle their weight.
- It isn’t a DIY job. This material needs to be handled with care so that each precious tile is installed correctly and not damaged in the process. Therefore, you’re better off hiring professionals who have the right tools, expertise, and safety equipment for the job.
- Repairs and replacements can get complicated. Repairing any broken tiles should be handed over to experienced contractors who know the material well. In addition, since each piece of slate comes from a unique source, you may not find a “perfect match” for the tile you need to fix.
How To Tell If You Need A New Slate Roof
Waiting until the obvious signs appear like ceiling stains, buckled walls, and chunks of wall and ceiling material falling would be the worst advice for detecting the need for a new roof.
Visible damage means the things you don’t see have been a long time in the making and the damage will most likely have been there for a long time.
Like pretty much anything else in life, early detection of the need for new slate is your best defence and least expensive option.
If you suspect that your old slate may be getting tired, you can have a professional inspect it for you, but inspecting it yourself is an easy and viable option if you are able to access the underside inside the ceiling cavity.
Yes, it’s the underside of your slate tiles that tells the real story.
Failing slate tiles will exhibit easily identifiable characteristics, including:
• Delaminating, flaking, and peeling
• White, powdery surface formation
• Softness
Those visible signs are easy to see.
You may even observe colour variations that signal moisture penetration.
The surest sign of leakage in the near future is softness.
Good slate tiles will be firm and hard.
To check for softness, a standard screwdriver is an easy test.
Apply a firm pressure as you drag a screwdriver across the underside of your slate roofing.
If you can easily score the slate tile, you can be sure it’s time for new slate on your roof. It’s a good idea to perform this test in multiple locations.
What Maintenance Does a Slate Roof Require?
Many of the slate roofs around the Fife area, are located in leafy places.
A leading cause of slate roof failures that we see is from leaves and other debris clogging the gutter and drainage system.
For this reason, regular gutter maintenance is essential.
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Beyond that, a properly installed new slate roof of good quality, or a fully restored original slate roof, will be essentially maintenance free for many years.
However, as the slate roof ages, we advise a professional inspection at least every 2-3 years.
Many homeowners wisely choose an annual inspection to safeguard against unpleasant and expensive surprises from water damage.
This isn’t technically maintenance but a word of caution is also appropriate.
Get A Quote For A Slate Roof Replacement In Fife
If you are interested in receiving a quote from LC, drop us a message to our website where we can book in a site visit and give you the truthful advice you need to hear.
