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SLATE ROOF PHOTO LIBRARY
SLATE ROOF PATTERNS
  CLOSED LAP
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  DIAMOND
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  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
Slate Roof References
Slate Sources, Repairs
SLATE ROOF INSPECTION CLASS
SOD ROOFING
SIDING WOOD
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors
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STANDARDS for ROOFING
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THATCH ROOFING
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THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
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A Photo Guide to Worn Out Slate Roofs
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • Photo Guide to Slate Roof Inspection
  • Photo library of slate roofing materials & slate conditions
  • Examples of worn-out slate roofs
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/appointment.htm.

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

Photograph of soft roofing slates that are worn out Photograph of worn out rotted roofing slates Photograph of worn out rotted 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

Worn out slate roof

Poor condition slate roof, example of a slate roof probably beyond repair.

Even from a distance the home inspector or slate roof inspector can see that while many slates have been replaced (darker slates in the photo), the remaining roof slates show white mineral efflorescence which has formed almost all the way to the center of each slate.

The rust-colored slates in the photo were badly delaminated, thin, and soft, having no remaining predictable life. This slate roof is too fragile to inspect by walking-on. For a closer look, check out the next two photos, below.

Worn out slate roof

Poor condition slate roof, many loose slates, efflorescence almost fills upper slates, many thin delaminating slates, more than 25% of this roof is bad, beyond economical repair

Worn out slate roof

Poor condition slate roof - close up, of a roof beyond economical repair (using slate) - a patch and struggle policy may be tolerable.

The dark colored slates are areas where bad slates have been replaced.

We'd love to see this replacement pattern continue. Many roofers opine that when more than 25% of the slates have to be replaced in a short period, the roof is beyond economical repair.

Slate at or near end of life

Worn slates at or near end of life, in the upper roof - note the efflorescence on some slates and the delaminating slates. Some slaters inform us that when they see the efflorescence marks on slates having nearly completely covered the slate they guess that the slate is near the end of its life.

Some slates, such as the red slates shown in photos above, do not show this efflorescence pattern, probably because the composition of that stone resists moisture absorption better than the darker slates shown in this photo.

slate roof at end of life

 

Worn slates at end of life, lost slates, delaminated slates, broken slates on this small roof make re-roofing necessary

Thin worn out loose sliding roofing slates

 

Worn out slates and sliding slates, on a slate roof beyond economical repair

Slate roof that is totally worn out

 

Sliding slates, failed nails, and rotted roof sheathing show that this roof has not been maintained for a decade or more. Thin delaminated slates are worn out.

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Use links just below or 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.

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.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
  • ...
ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR
CERTIFICATIONS for ROOFING CONTRACTORS
CHOOSING A ROOFING CONTRACTOR
ASBESTOS CEMENT ROOFING
ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES
FIRE RETARDANT PLYWOOD
ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR
SLATE ROOF PHOTO LIBRARY
Slate References
Slate Sources, Repairs
SLATE ROOF INSPECTION CLASS
SOD ROOFING
SIDING WOOD
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Building Exteriors
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on Roofs
STANDARDS for ROOFING
STONE ROOFING
THATCH ROOFING
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
TILE ROOFING
WARRANTIES for ROOF SHINGLES
WOOD SHAKE & SHINGLE ROOFING
WORKMANSHIP & WIND DAMAGE


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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

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06/30/2009 - 01/23/1991 - InspectAPedia.com/roof/Worn_Out_Slate_Roofs.htm - © 2009 - 1988 Copyright Daniel Friedman All Rights Reserved - InspectAPedia® is a Registered U.S. Trademark

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