Slate is a wonderful material that lends itself perfectly to roofing, the way it is formed in natural layers makes it ideal for cutting into thin sheets which look nice and uniform but not too much, so the roof retains a pleasant, homely appearance. Slates are so good looking that man-made tiles are often produced in their image: dark grey with a touch of blue and a satisfyingly grainy finish. The imitations tend to overdo the slickness, though, resulting in a pristine look that misses the point slightly, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and you can see why they do it.
Keeping slates looking good and doing their job involves just a little TLC. Here are some basics to consider, plus several less obvious things to think about.
Inspect the roof regularly. This has to be done deliberately because of where the roof is. You notice the condition of your walls, windows and doors because they are at or around head height, but all you can see of the roof is a general impression from a distance. If you have upstairs windows,you can have a look at what is below, but what about the top part? This is not an opportunity to show off your drone camera or selfie stick, it’s a job for a professional roofer.
If you see any cracks or signs of movement, get it seen to. After a storm, for instance, just make sure all is well. The wind can whip up branches and hurl them at your slates, or it can get underneath them and loosen them. And talking of branches…
Keep trees a safe distance away. As lovely as trees are, you don’t want them thrashing your slates, so keep them cut back where they can do no harm.
Don’t let moss take over. Moss, lichen, algae: these low-creeping spongy plants will take over the tiny spaces between slates if you’re not careful, interfering with the natural dynamics of your carefully and expensively fitted roof. Preventing this is not easy but moss can be removed by brushing – not too roughly or you could break the slates – or treating with chemicals. Bear in mind, though, that the active ingredients in these substances are not good for the environment, so don’t go flooding your earth with them. And don’t use a pressure washer, either, or again you could damage the slates.
Check the flashing. That is the flexible material used to seal the joint where a roof meets a wall, a chimney or some other protrusion. If the flashing gets cracked, your slates can’t help keep the water out.
Don’t walk on the slates. This may not need to be pointed out to most people, because slates tend to be on sloping roofs where no one in their right mind would be strolling around. But if you are fit, strong and a bit of a do-it-yourself enthusiast, don’t be tempted to add this to the list of tasks you can perform so you don’t have to pay someone else.
The number one maintenance tip for slate roofs: have it inspected by a professional once a year. A good local roofer will do an inspection free of charge, expecting to be given the job if there turns out to be something to fix. You probably have a plumber and an electrician you call on in times of need in those areas, and it pays to have a roofer up your sleeve too.
A well-maintained slate roof will be an asset to your house, looking stylish and keeping the weather out, so a bit of care and attention is the least you can do to keep that going.
H Roofing is a slate roofing specialist in Central Scotland, servicing the following areas:
- Slate roofing Glasgow
- and the surrounding areas.