Slate Roofs With Some Vegetative Damage

This roof shingle damage diagnosis article describes the causes and effects of mechanical damage to shingles from a variety of sources.

Slate roofs with some vegetative damage. You can also check for gaps in the mortar joints along the ridge line. Contractors who are unscrupulous or who don t have much expertise with slate roofs may condemn an entire roof because some slates are damaged. We investigated and tested 11 artificial shake and slate products manufactured by nine manufacturers. You can spot a sloped slate roof tile more easily from the ground.

Some roofing products failed before installation was completed. Photo guide to slate roof defects. Slates with mineral inclusions the wash out of minerals in some slates can lead to holes and leaks. Over the long term natural slate tends to be a better investment because several artificial slate roofs will have to be installed during the life span of one natural slate roof.

These roofs are in new orleans and chicago. The roof may look like a planetarium from inside the attic but in fact damaged and broken slates can be fairly easily replaced by knowledgeable workmen. Consequently not all homes have the structural support necessary to take the weight of a slate roof and often additional reinforcement needs to be installed. Another common source of slate roof damage around a chimney is wear and movement caused by flashing leaks and in freezing climates frost.

Although hail can damage a slate roof in most cases the roof can be repaired. Few survived past their tenth year of exposure. Similarly to wind damage it can be minor damage scattered about the roof. Foot traffic tears punctures tool cuts or damage during shingle installation.

Roofing felt is being installed over the decking. The results of mechanical damage to asphalt shingles includes mineral granule loss from the shingles leaks or simply shorter roof life. Falling limbs building materials detached from other structures and anything else that becomes airborne in high winds will undoubtedly cause damage if it strikes a slate tile roof. If the tiles look to have a powdery surface this means the tile is deteriorating and you ll need to replace it.

This problem is known as delamination. Although the slates were 1 2 inch to 3 4 inches thick vermont slates only 75 years old some were perforated by huge hail stones. Either way slate roofs are often repairable. Mineral inclusions staining in slates.

One of the drawbacks of slate for some homeowners is the heavy weight of slate roofing tiles which can be between 800 1 500 pounds per square 100 square feet. A rubberized membrane is used selctively at the eaves and under some flashing.