how do you remove roof slates

Removing a slate:

• To avoid lifting the surrounding slates too much, you will need to use a 'slate ripper' which can be pushed up between the slates to cut or pull out the fixing nails; ...
• Pull the damaged slate out of the roof; it may be necessary to slightly lever up the slates around the damaged one to remove pressure from it.

Full Answer

How do you remove old slates?

0:474:05Replace a Slate - Hall Hook Method - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSpeaking it's easier to pull nails out rather than to chop them. So I'm now feeling for the left-MoreSpeaking it's easier to pull nails out rather than to chop them. So I'm now feeling for the left-hand nail and hooking it onto it. So I can hammer the slate rip downwards. Sometimes with new nails.

How do you disassemble a slate roof?

2:1811:27Slate Roof Repair - How to replace a slate & broken slates - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipReady to pull it out or cut it off it doesn't matter which one with a hammer strike downwards andMoreReady to pull it out or cut it off it doesn't matter which one with a hammer strike downwards and hit the handle where indicated with the red arrow. Always keep the slate Ripper low to the sleights.

What tool would you use to remove slates?

Sometimes also called a slate slasher, the ripper has a thin, flat blade about two feet long, with a square, chiseled tip for and a pair of hooks cut into the side of the blade. These hooks and edges are used to chop through roofing nails, freeing the slate from the roof.

How do you replace slates on a roof?

0:021:41How To Replace Damaged Slate - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSlide it under the damaged slate to locate the nails fixing it in place once you've found it pullMoreSlide it under the damaged slate to locate the nails fixing it in place once you've found it pull down sharply to hook onto it and then use a hammer to force the nail free if the nail head is exposed.

How is slate attached to a roof?

The sheathing, also called decking, is the wood to which the slate is attached. Ideally, the wood will last 150 years — or long enough to support an average initial slate roof and replacement slate roof. The right sheathing choice is individual plank boards.

Can you walk on a slate roof?

Slate is hard-wearing and durable but it can easily crack under pressure. That's why professionals use hook ladders, jacks and planks on slate roofing. This allows them to walk on the roof without putting any weight on it. If you don't have the proper materials on hand, it's best to let a professional tend to the roof.

How do you know when a slate roof needs replacing?

If you hear a dull, dead, sound it's likely that the slate has become porous and is past its usefulness. As a guide if 20% of the original slates have been renewed, and repairs are scattered all over the roof, further repairs are considered to be no longer cost effective.

What does a slate ripper do?

In this article we will be covering how to use a slate ripper, but first, what is a slate ripper? This is a tool that is used to remove and replace broken, cracked or chipped slates from a roof. Alongside your slate ripper (sometimes known as a slasher), you may also use a hammer, slate cutter, and lead snips.

How long does a slate roof last?

''Hard slate will last anywhere from 75 to 200 years, while soft slate will last only 50 to 125 years,'' he said, adding that as a result, a homeowner trying to decide whether to repair, restore or replace a slate roof should first determine whether the existing slate is hard or soft. Generally speaking, Mr.

Are slate roofs expensive to maintain?

Natural slate roofs are the most expensive to install, maintain, and repair, due to the high costs of slate. Slate is a strong material and can withstand a lot of damages, but tiles may crack or fall, and you may need to pay for other repairs like fixing leaks, chips, and water damage.

What nails do you use for roof slates?

Most slate roofs use copper nails as they typically last longer than stainless steel and compatible with copper, lead and lead-coated copper flashings. A standard ¼” thick slate will require an 11 gauge nail where a thicker slate will require a 10 gauge copper nail.

Can you glue roof slates?

The best way to stick a roof slate in place is to use a tried and tested, solvent free and safe adhesive/sealant that sticks and seals at the same time in a permanent capacity.

How do you know when a slate roof needs replacing?

If you hear a dull, dead, sound it's likely that the slate has become porous and is past its usefulness. As a guide if 20% of the original slates have been renewed, and repairs are scattered all over the roof, further repairs are considered to be no longer cost effective.

Can you reuse slate roof tiles?

Good quality Welsh Slate can often be re-used after over 100 years on a roof. The percentage of salvage will be dependent on a number of factors some of which are below. Knowing the provenance of a slate being considered for reuse is of prime importance. Its origin and age are key.

How do you replace fiber cement slates?

0:107:40How to replace a broken roof slate. Cracked fibre cement slate repair.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo going back to the new slate if you place that in the position of an existing. Slate. You can seeMoreSo going back to the new slate if you place that in the position of an existing. Slate. You can see that your nails will be by their by their in the same position as these pre-drilled holes.

How long does a slate roof last?

''Hard slate will last anywhere from 75 to 200 years, while soft slate will last only 50 to 125 years,'' he said, adding that as a result, a homeowner trying to decide whether to repair, restore or replace a slate roof should first determine whether the existing slate is hard or soft. Generally speaking, Mr.

What is a tear off shovel?

Special tear-off shovels have serrated edges that not only tear up the shingles but also pull out most of the old shingle nails at the same time. They have a fulcrum welded to the back of the shovel head to pry up materials. Buy or rent a couple of them if you have friends that are willing to pay you back for all the times you’ve helped them move.

Do roofers need safety harnesses?

Many professional roofers don’t use safety harnesses, but they’ve got experience on their side to help keep them out of trouble. (Some are even blessed with prehensile tails.) Weekend warriors should follow these commonsense safeguards:

Why are slate roofs so expensive to remove?

The weight of slate roofs makes them expensive to remove.

Why is slate roofing heavier than other types of roofing?

This means transportation costs more because you need a heavy-duty truck or more trips, either of which will need more gasoline with the heavier weight.

Can slate be removed from a roof?

Slate is slippery and trickier to remove safely from a roof than are other materials – so much so that not all roofing companies are willing to work with slate. This means that removal takes longer and costs more per hour than removing a standard composite roof. You can minimize your labor costs by purchasing a package deal with your new roof installation. Companies usually offer removal as part of a new roof installation – and often don't differentiate between roofing types when quoting that removal service.

Can you take slate shingles out of a dump?

All those slate shingles have to go somewhere, and that place is likely to charge you for the privilege of leaving them. You should contact your local waste disposal facility or municipal dump for their rates to take in construction waste. As with transportation, you can minimize these costs by arranging for a waste pickup that charges by volume. This will make the disposal costs about the same as they would be if you were removing a composite shingle roof.

Why And When Clean A Slate Roof

In theory, mosses are not directly harmful to the roofing. At least, this holds true for lichens that do not occur in large numbers. In case of artificial slates, this moss type usually appears after 10 years.

How To Clean Slate Roofing Tiles

Slate tiles are made of natural stone. Like terracotta tiles, they are porous, so moss and algae can grow in them. However, as slate tiles have thinner layers, they should not be pressure cleaned, as this can cause damage. They are also brittle, so walking on slate tiles is not recommended.

Using A Trowel Or Stiff Brush

A simple yet relatively manual method of cleaning roof tiles is to scrape off the moss, algae and dirt by hand. Using a tool such as a trowel, scrape the moss and dirt away from the tiles. The drier the day the better, because the moss and other materials will not be stuck to the tiles with moisture.

Fast And Effective Roof Cleaner For All Types Of Roof Tiles

Roof Clean Xtreme is a fast acting, high performance cleaning product that will enable a roof to be cleaned without intense pressure washing. Roof Clean Xtreme will quickly remove all forms of organic growth from any type of roof tile including clays, without risk of damaging the roof.

Caring For Your Slate Roof

A sedimentary rock, slate features many tiny layers that naturally split. The rocks properties make is a durable option for roofing and often lasts a lifetime. Once made into roofing material, soft slate easily absorbs water and naturally delaminates or splits during freezing and thawing.

Which Chemicals Are Best

As we have previously stated, in most cases moss will not damage the roof tiles but can block gutters and drainage points. On certain roofs, such as those with a very shallow pitch, moss can potentially reduce the flow of water off the roof.

Is Moss On Slate Roof Bad

Hole. Moss can also sneak under roofing boards, tiles and slate, uproot them from the roof and cause enormous damage. This uprooting can lead to holes, leaks and structural deterioration of the roof.

What to do if slate is thick?

If your slate is thicker, consider investing in a Slaters Axe. Remember professional tools make jobs easier and quicker and result in a better finish.

How to cut slate to avoid breakages?

Always cut with the grain, and if your slate varies in thickness, always work from the thickest to the thinnest part to avoid breakages.

What is the best slate cutting tool?

If you are looking to invest in a professional slate cutting tool, the Turboshears are a great investment. An attachable cutting drive that fits most drills, this tool allows for cutting both natural and artificial slate with power assistance.

Can you use a trowel to cut slate?

It won’t be quite as accurate, but will do the job fine.

Does Burton Roofing have roof tiles?

At Burton Roofing, we also have a large range of roof tiles suitable for all jobs, domestic or professional see our online range here.

Can you cut slate with a nail punch?

If your slate is quite thin but you have several pieces to cut, or you require to cut slate on a regular basis it is worth investing in a Hand Held Slate Cutter. We sell two versions, one with a nail punch, and one without.

Can you cut slate roof tiles?

Whatever the size of the job, with a bit of patience, cutting roof tiles can be straightforward. The key, as with most DIY jobs, is to work safe, take your time, and have the right tools to hand. The good news is that there are several tools that can be used to cut roof slates, and most households will have at least one of them!

What to do if slate roof flashing leaks?

If the flashing leaks, so will the roof. The solution is to regularly inspect and replace the flashing when needed. Fasteners are another important factor for extending the life of a slate roof.

What Can Damage A Slate Roof?

Slate is one of the most durable roofing materials used. Relatively little maintenance and repairs are needed to help it last for decades. When properly maintained it can last well over a hundred and fifty years before needing replacement. Even so, like any material, slate can become damaged and need to be repaired or replaced.

What happens if you get hail on a slate roof?

The danger with hail is it often leaves a small hole in the top of the slate and a crater on the underside of the tile. Neither of these can be seen unless the roof is closely inspected. In subsequent rainstorms water will enter the hole and pool under the tile and absorb into the decking, causing often undetected damage which can compound hail damage and require costly repair.

What is the weakest link on a slate roof?

If “a chain is only as good as its weakest link,” for slate roofs, the weakest link is the flashing and fastening , which wear out long before the tiles. The most common materials used for flashing on slate roofs are lead-coated copper, lead sheet, galvanized steel, copper and terne-coated sheet iron.

What is slate used for?

Slate is often associated with state and church buildings these days, but have also been used for agricultural and residential buildings. Longevity and low maintenance are important for all of these structures.

How to tell when slate needs replacement?

One sign it may be time for replacement is when 20 to 30% of the slates on a roof need repair. In this instance, it can often be more prudent to simply replace the roof.

Where is powdering on slate roof?

Powdering on the underside of slates. Since most slate roofs are installed on spaced wood battens, powdering is often visible in the home’s attic.