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Here we provide photos of worn-out slate roofs that are beyond repair. This slate roofing photo library shows various kinds of roofing slate, slate roof colors, slate roof patterns, and roofing slate 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. How to inspect, identify defects, and estimate remaining life of slate roofs are addressed.

The article also references slate repair procedures, repair slate sources, and slate quarries. 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 links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

An online photo dictionary of roofing slate colors, types, and conditions

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 Inspections - Slate Roofs in Poor Condition

A Photo Guide to Soft Worn Out Roofing Slates

As we discussed in more detail at SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR, determination of slate condition other than by direct up-close inspection is highly unreliable. Slates may look fine from the ground, but be found soft and at end of life on close inspection.

By direct inspection we mean looking at slates from a few inches, either from a ladder or some other point of view such as an attic window. We strongly advise inspectors not to walk on slate roofs whether they look soft or not. Soft Deteriorated Roofing Slates may not be obvious from the ground but mean the roof is at end of life.

Photos of Slate Roofs Past Economical Repair

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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

• Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

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More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

More Information on Roof Inspection and Repair, and 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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