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This slate roofing repair photo library shows various kinds of roofing slate repairs for common defects. This photographic dictionary of roofing slates is a supplement to our detailed article (links at page left) describing procedures for evaluating the condition of slate roofing.

The main article reviews types of slate, common defects, inspection topics, and some repair tips. Also see How to Inspect & Repair Slate Roofs for a detailed article about evaluating the condition of slate roofing and repairing worn or damaged slate roofs.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

This article assists home inspectors, building buyers or building owners, and roofing contractors in evaluating the condition of slate roofs by providing photos of various slate materials, patterns, defects, and conditions. Readers should also see How to Inspect & Repair Slate Roofs for a detailed "how to" article on inspecting, evaluating, and repairing slate roofs.

Photo Guide to Slate Roof Repairs

Replacing Lost Roofing Slates - How to Secure the New Slate

• Lost slate replacement, re-using a slate salvaged from elsewhere - note the exposed nail hole which would have been covered by the next course in the original placement of this slate
• Red slate roof, generally excellent but with broken damaged slates at eaves, possibly during ice damming or installation of heat tapes. Heat tapes at a roof edge are themselves evidence that the building has experienced a problem with ice dams and leaks at the eaves.

Repair of Holes & Nail Pops in Slate Roofs

• Slate hole repair, using copper slid up below perforated slates
• Repair: Slate repair with aluminum, on a slate roof with a coating of lichens

Examples of Poor Repair Work on Slate Roofs - Temporary "Fixes" to Slates

• Slate roof coated with roof cement, mostly washed-off. While roof cement or mastic is not a long-term durable repair nor even a proper one for slate roofs, we'd prefer this stopgap measure to seeing someone abandon and destroy a salvageable slate roof. The complete coating of a slate roof with roof cement or other sealants is an extreme measure and unlikely to have a long life however.

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SLATE ROOF PHOTO LIBRARY
SLATE ROOF PATTERNS
  CLOSED LAP
  CONVENTIONAL
  CURVED ROOF
  DIAMOND
  DIAGONAL
  DUTCH LAP
  FRENCH
  GRADUATED
SLATE ROOF COLORS
  GREEN SLATES
  RED SLATE
  RIBBON SLATE
STEEP SLATE ROOFS
  MANSARD ROOF
  STEEPLES
SLATE ROOF HARDWARE
  SNOW GUARDS
SLATE ROOF DEFECTS
  BROKEN CRACKED ROOFING SLATES
  DELAMINATING
  FLASHING
  LOOSE LOST SLIDING SLATES
  MINERAL INCUSION
  STAINING SLATE
  THICKNESS
SLATE ROOF REPAIRS
WORN OUT SLATE ROOFS
  SOFT DETERIORATED SLATES
  BEYOND REPAIR

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

Slate Roofing References

• How to Inspect & Repair Slate Roofs a detailed article about evaluating the condition of slate roofing and repairing worn or damaged slate roofs.
• Slate Roof Photo Library photographs of colors, types, patterns of slate roofs, slate roof wear, slate roof conditions.
• Slate References page from the ASHI Technical Journal
• Slate Sources, Repairs page from the ASHI Technical Journal
• Roofing: Defect Recognition, Repair, Prevention for Roofing & Flashing main web page
• Inspecting and Evaluating Slate Roofs Hudson Valley ASHI seminar content
• Choosing a Roofing Contractor How to find and select a roofing contractor - (thanks to Jessie Schrader)
• Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, 1926, reprinted 1977 by Vermont Structural Slate Co., Inc., Fair Haven, VT 05743, 802-265-4933/34. (We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion.)
• The Slate Roof Bible, Joseph Jenkins, www.jenkinsslate.com, 143 Forest Lane, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA 16127 - 866-641-7141 (We recommend this book).
• Slate Roofs , Steven Trapasso, presentation to NY Metro ASHI, Inc. chapter seminar, November 1990.
• The Old-House Journal , Special Roof Issue , April 1983, The Old-House Journal, PO Box 50214, Boulder, CO 80321-0214
• National Slate Technology Center courses for architects, builders, etc.
• Handbook of Building Crafts in Conservation, Jack Bower, Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY 1981 ISBN 0-442-2135-3 Library of Congress Catalog Card Nr. 81-50643.
• Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America
• National Slate Association includes list of slate testing laboratories

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