This is especially true of older roofs nearing the end of their serviceable lives because even the most experienced slater will likely damage additional slates while attempting repairs.
Slate roof repair vs replacement.
So many times when homeowners have a slate roof on their home they have questions like is a roof leak an emergency with slate roofing and is a roof repair covered by insurance.
When replacement is necessary even a slate roof that has been meticulously maintained will need to be replaced during someone sownership.
Slate roof repair vs replacement slate roofing is the strongest longest lasting roof material on the market today.
When properly maintained it can last well over a hundred and fifty years before needing replacement.
A square is a standard 10 x 10 unit used by roofers.
Of course replacing a slate roof with a new slate roof would be ideal but it can be an expensive proposition.
Replacing a slate roof.
Relatively little maintenance and repairs are needed to help it last for decades.
Neither replacing a slate roof and reusing old flashings nor replacing flashings in a deteriorating slate roof is advisable.
Replacement for different roofing material options.
Again some roofing material choices are better candidates for repair than others.
With slate and tile replacement is almost never the best choice.
Even so like any material slate can become damaged and need to be repairedor replaced.
If your slate roof is nearing the end of its life you may be considering a replacement.
The rule of thumb among slaters is to push for replacement once 20 30 of the slate has deteriorated beyond reasonable repair.
If 20 or more of the slates on a roof or roof slope are broken cracked missing or sliding out of position it is usually less expensive to replace the roof than to execute individual repairs.
Valleys chimneys and dormer sides are flashed in metal in homeland painted terne metal or copper and in the course of the slate roof s life time the flashings may be replaced two or more times.
Unless your slate or tile roof is more than 70 years old there s a good chance that even extensive repair will be a better.
Slate is one of the most durable roofing materials used.
Replacement on the other hand needs to take place at some point in the life of all slate roofs particularly those on older historical houses.