If you have a slate roof, your home can benefit from the material’s natural fire resistance, mold resistance, attractive appearance, and overall durability.
When installed correctly, slate tile roofs can last for 75 to 125 years and require little maintenance. However, failing to attend to problems as they occur can leave your roof vulnerable to larger issues down the line.
While slate roofs do not require as much maintenance as asphalt shingles, keeping an eye on your roof’s appearance and functionality can alert you to potential problems. Read on to learn our tips for slate roof maintenance, then call our contractors at Gotcha Covered Contracting today to schedule your roof inspection.
Schedule an Annual Inspection
The best way to maintain a roof, be it slate, asphalt, or any other material, is to schedule a roof inspection with a professional roofing company at least once per year. Professional contractors have the right tools and equipment to examine your roof safely from the air and the ground. They also have the expertise to spot minuscule problems before they worsen.
When we come to your property to perform a slate roof inspection, we probably will not walk on the roof itself. Slate roofs tend to be slippery, making them dangerous surfaces to walk on. Additionally, walking directly on slate roofs can damage any worn or loose tiles.
However, we will examine your roof from the ground and the air, noting any cracked or missing tiles or damage to the flashings. We’ll also take a look at your gutters and check for mold, mildew, and moss around your roof.
If we find any issues, we can schedule a time to return to your property and repair them.
We recommend scheduling your annual inspection each spring to address any damage that occurred the previous winter.
Look for Cracks and Missing Tiles
In between your annual inspections, we recommend keeping an eye on your roof to note any possible issues. Your roof will likely experience broken and slipped slate tiles from time to time, as tiles tend to crack with heavy impact from storms and snow. Thankfully, our team can repair individual slates quickly rather than needing to replace larger sections.
Again, you should never attempt to stand on your roof to inspect the tiles. Viewing your roof from the ground should give you a good enough vantage point to notice any damaged areas.
Pay Attention to the Flashings
Roof flashings are the metal pieces around areas of your roof that are prone to leaks, such as where the chimney meets the roof. If you have a slate roof, your flashings are probably composed of either copper or galvanized steel.
Learning what material makes up your flashings can help you determine how often these pieces require maintenance.
Copper flashings are incredibly durable and can last for up to 70 years with only minimal maintenance. Meanwhile, galvanized steel flashings last for 15 to 20 years before requiring a replacement.
If your flashings are copper, you probably will not need to inspect them as closely as galvanized steel flashings. However, if your flashings are steel, we recommend keeping an eye out for any dents, cracks, holes, or loose areas within the flashings.
Clean the Gutters and Downspouts
Keeping your gutters and downspouts clean is an essential aspect of slate roof maintenance. Your gutters are responsible for moving water away from your home. Failing to keep your gutters in working order can lead to leaks or moisture buildup, creating expensive damage.
We recommend cleaning your gutters at least twice per year and asking your contractor to inspect your gutters during your annual roof inspection. At
Gotcha Covered Contracting, we always inspect our customers’ gutters and downspouts as part of our roof inspection services.
Maintaining your slate roof is essential to maximizing its lifespan and preventing major repairs. At Gotcha Covered Contracting, our licensed contractors specialize in roof repair, replacement, and installation services.
You can feel confident placing your slate roof maintenance in our hands.
We offer roofing services throughout Pittsburgh, Allison Park, Wexford, Cranberry Township, and all surrounding cities. Contact our Gotcha Covered Contracting team today at 724-581-8147 to schedule your roof inspection.
