Hey roofer Slate

roof restoration

Centuries of protection.

There are a multitude of different slates , each with its own texture, color, workability, and durability characteristics. A qualified Slater can tell you exactly what kind of slate you have. If a potential roofer cannot identify with confidence the type of slate on your roof, or suggests replacement with an inferior material (shingles), then they haven’t learned even the basics of slating.

Often, a leak only requires replacing a missing slate. Even if a major overhaul is necessary, slate roofs can usually be restored for a fraction of the cost of a new shingle roof. If your roof needs complete restoration with removal and reinstallation of the slate and new flashings, we can almost always do it for less than a replacement shingle roof, and your slate will outlast  many shingle roofs after restoration!

A leaking slate roof only means some kind of maintenance is required, such as a missing slate replaced, or 80 year old flashing replaced. With simple maintenance, your roof can usually last another century. Beware of contractors who say your valuable slate roof needs replaced, as they can usually only make the big bucks by selling an entire roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Life expectancy varies with the type of slate used. Most slate in NWPA is a Vermont sea green slate with 200 years life expectancy. The finest slate in the world was quarried right here in Pennsylvania in the peach bottom region and can last 400 years or more. You are very lucky if you live under one of these roofs! Only the metal flashings deteriorate and need replaced. The softest slates still last 80 to 100 years.

How long will my slate roof last?

If My roof is leaking, does it need replaced?

Is restoring my slate roof expensive?

What kind of slate do I have?

Slate is not meant to be walked on, slate roofs should only be maintained by some form of scaffolding to keep direct weight off of individual slates.  Tar only lasts a year and should never be used except for emergency repairs, any tar makes life difficult for whomever has to fix the slates correctly. Despite persistent rumors, nails simply do not go bad after a hundred years. Nails never fail on a properly maintained slate roof.  Moisture is required to rust anything, and that can only come from a leak or improper installation, both of which should be fixed before any nails rust.

Tar, Walking on slate, Nails….

To contact us: info@heyroofer.com