When Does A Slate Roof Need Replacing?

Slate is a natural rock that has been mined and cut to form a ‘shingle’, and this is what is used for roofing. Slate is known as one of the longest-lasting roofing materials; however, this does not mean that it’ll last forever! While slate is strong, hardwearing and can withstand a variety of extreme weather conditions, it is important to be aware of when your slate roof needs replacing.

Lots of missing tiles 

Missing tiles on your roof is definitely a problem you should not brush off; however, the extent of this problem depends on the number of tiles that have fallen off. If only a few tiles have fallen off, this may be able to be fixed without breaking any of the other tiles surrounding it. However, if there is an abundance of tiles missing from across the roof, it’s safe to assume that this means it is time to replace your slate roof. 

There’s a leak coming from the roof

This is a bit of an ambiguous one as a single leak doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to replace the whole roof. However, it does mean you’ll need to get it repaired as soon as possible. The real worry is when your roof continues to leak, either over a long period of time or there are multiple leaks at once. It’s important to remember that just because there isn’t a massive puddle on the floor, this doesn’t mean that the leak hasn’t resulted in problems such as damp and rusting so always keep an eye out for this on your property.

Visible moisture damage in the loft 

Another sign of when a slate roof needs replacing is when there is moisture damage in the loft. This usually occurs as a result of falling slates which absorb moisture and in turn, cause rot. If you can see moisture damage in your loft, this usually means that the roof is beyond repair and you will have to begin looking to get a new one installed. However, it’s always worth getting a professional’s opinion to see if it can be salvaged at all. As well as this, soft slate is always more prone to becoming damaged by moisture than harder types of slate, so this is definitely something worth considering when choosing your roofing material.

To find out more about when a slate roof needs replacing or any other roofing enquiries, contact us today.