Slate Roof Repair
The people responsible for maintaining a modern or historical slate roof are tasked with making sometimes complex repair or replacement decisions.
After identifying a leaking roof, only qualified slate roof repair specialists possess the in-depth knowledge to make cost-effective recommendations about critical next steps.
If you oversee the maintenance of a university, church, modern commercial building, or one with a historical slate roof, contact a slate roof contractor if you suspect hailstone or slate roof wind damage has occurred.
Types of Slate Roofing Tiles
The historical slate roof enjoys a long and storied legacy associated with wondrous architecture. It’s not uncommon to see a stone-based slate tile roof on a classic university or church.
And while these and other historical slate roof systems are linked to the past, advanced technology allows manufacturers to create roof deck products that mirror stone. The following rank among the widely used slate tile roof products employed today.
Natural Slate Roof Tiles
Culled from rock quarries across North America, a slate roofing contractor usually works with distributors to select slate roof tiles that follow one consistent color.
This is also an essential reason to work with an experienced slate roof repair company that can effectively color-match should natural slate roof tile repair be needed.
Concrete Slate Roof Tiles
Concrete products have emerged as a cost-effective alternative to natural stone.
These slate tile roof products are comprised of Portland cement, sand, and water, and can be dyed to create vibrant colors or match a building’s architecture.
Although durable, severe weather and hard impacts can result in damage, a leaking roof, and the need for concrete slate roof repair.
Metal Slate Roof Tiles
Metal roofing systems have become increasingly popular, and manufacturers now produce a line that emulates the slate tile roof.
Diverse patterns and color schemes are available. Making metal slate roof tile repair often proves less expensive than replacing heavy stone materials.
Composite Slate Roof Tiles
Composite slate roof deck materials are made from durable plastics.
They are lightweight and less labor-intensive for a slate roofing contractor to install. The lower material cost — compared to natural stone — and fewer work hours needed for installations make them a preferred choice.
Asphalt Slate Shingles
The flexibility and ease of asphalt slate shingle installations make them a darling among property owners who desire the ambiance of natural stone without the cost.
Asphalt slate shingles are one of many design options available and their bold appearance proves inspiring.
When You Need Slate Roof Repair
The slate tile roof of a high-end commercial building, church, university, or structure on the National Register of Historic Places presents an awe-inspiring aesthetic few materials can rival. A slate roof deck generally lasts 150 years or longer when carefully maintained.
But even stone-based materials can sustain damage and require the services of slate roof repair specialists.
In fact, a severe weather event or high wind storm can result in cracked slate tiles.
When slate roof leaks persist, water damage to load-bearing beams can follow as well as potentially hazardous mold growths behind walls and under flooring.
If you suspect a building requires slate roofing repair based on the following, contact a commercial roofing contractor and schedule an inspection.
Slate Roof Repair for Hail Damage
Slate roof hail damage ranks among the prevalent reasons to contact a commercial roofing contractor.
When a hailstone the size of a hen egg or baseball strikes a natural stone slate roof, it is likely to inflict damage.
Cracked slate tiles lead to a leaking roof and water damage is inevitable. A metal or asphalt roof deck is also likely to suffer damage and require emergency roof repair.
Slate Roof Church Hail Damage
Slate Roof Repair for Wind Damage
Although high winds typically do not result in a need to repair a slate roof, materials such as composites, metal, and asphalt can be loosened.
Slate roof wind damage can also be required when tree limbs and flying debris make hard impacts.
Dents and cracked slate tiles lead to water penetration and damage unless a slate roof repair technician secures the roof deck.
Slate Roof Repair
Slate Roof Repair for Hurricane Damage
The destructive force of a named storm tasks property owners and managers to enlist the support of a slate roof repair specialist that can also implement necessary building restoration measures.
A category 1 storm reaches wind speeds up to 94 mph, and a category 5 hurricane can exceed 150 mph.
Damaged siding and torn gutters are to be expected, along with hurricane roof damage.
It’s critical to contact an experienced slate roof repair services contractor who can connect you with a public adjuster and fast-track your roof insurance claim.
Slate Roof Repair Church Hail Damage
Slate Roof Repair for Tornado Damage
People in charge of maintaining a church, university, or building on the National Register of Historic Places generally believe tornado roof damage is only needed if the structure sustains a direct hit.
What few people realize is that a twister generates a fierce sucking force that pulls on siding, gutters, and a slate tile roof.
That vacuum-like phenomenon loosens the flashing, gutters, and slate tile roof materials. Tornado roof damage ranks among the more insidious ways an unidentified leaking roof quietly causes widespread water damage.
Slate Roof Repair FAQs
Can my slate roof be repaired?
In the majority of cases, slate roofing repair remains the preferred option. But determining whether a slate roof repair or replacement is the best course cannot be determined until a thorough inspection has been completed.
If a building has sustained high-wind or roof hail damage, have it inspected.
Can cracked or loose slates be replaced?
The short answer is typically: Yes. But the challenges surrounding cracked slate tiles involve color matching and structural strength.
A hailstone storm or slate roof wind damage could prompt an inspection that identifies other areas in need of repair.
How long does a slate roof last?
A natural stone slate tile roof can last for 150 or more years when properly maintained. A metal roof deck typically enjoys a life expectancy of 75 years, with composite products coming in at upwards of 50 years and asphalt shingles at approximately 25 years.
Do you work with insurance claims for slate roof repair?
Our organization works diligently with property owners and managers when severe weather events result in hailstone and slate roof wind damage.
We can connect you with a reliable public adjuster to streamline the roof insurance claim process and implement emergency roof repair measures to prevent water damage.
How often should my slate roof be inspected?
Having an annual slate tile roof inspection conducted helps avoid the high cost of water damage.
Slate roof repair specialists identify areas that have been compromised and take steps to avoid a leaking roof.
Such proactive measures save money on building restoration work.
What type of maintenance should be done on my slate roof?
A slate tile roof should be cleaned of any debris and moss on an ongoing basis. Gutters need to be cleaned twice annually to ensure rain doesn’t back up and create water damage.
It’s also important to schedule an inspection following a hailstone or high-wind storm to replace any cracked slate tiles.