Repairing Slate Roofing

Repairing a Slate Roof

I'm often asked by homeowners if slate repair is a DIY'r project. In almost all instances, I say NO! There are several reasons. First, working on roofs can be dangerous. If you are not used to slippery, steep slopes, you can easily fall. Experienced roofers fall from roofs all the time. Second, the tools required for this job are somewhat specialized. The manner in which the tools are used is also specialized. Nailing slate is an art. We have already discussed that.

OK, so I haven't convinced you yet? Well, call your life insurance agent. I'll get the tools out of my truck and meet you at the bottom of the ladder.

The Tools

We need a nail removal tool called a ripper, a slater's hammer and maybe a trimmer. The trimmer is basically an industrial strength paper cutter. It simply trims slate to size.

The Tricks

The first task is to remove the remains of the broken slate or any hidden nails. This is easy with a ripper. The ripper is a thin flat piece of iron that resembles a flat ship anchor. It has a handle that allows you to slide it up underneath the slate. The tips of the anchor hook onto the nails. Tapping the handle down slope, pulls the heads off and/or removes the nails entirely. There are usually two nails in the top of each slate shingle. One at each corner. With both nails out, the slate slides out easily.

Now, did you remember to get replacement slate that matches in color, texture, and thickness? OK, just checking. My favorite way to hold the new slate in place is to nail a one and one half inch wide copper strip. This strip is installed directly on top and in the middle of the two shingles in the row (course) immediately below where we are working. The copper strip must be long enough so that it will bend up and around the replacement slate 1 inch after we are finished. The new replacement slate will slide over this strip.

Drill a hole in the crease between the two lower shingles. This hole will penetrate the top of the slate shingle two courses below where we are working. If you do not drill this hole, the nail will shatter that slate! Nail the copper strip carefully so that the nail goes in between the two lower pieces of slate and into the drilled hole. Slide the replacement slate into position and bend the copper up and over the slate. Once on the ground it will be tough to see this fine copper line, so don't worry about appearance.

Now, let's gather up the tools and get down from up here! Did you secure the ladder to the gutter so it won't slip when we get back on it? Hey, watch out! Don't step on that rung above the gutter, the bottom of the ladder may pivot! How come your knuckles are white? Does the thin air up here bother you? Click your heels 3 times and say, "There's no place like the ground. There's no place like the ground.........."

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