Slate Roofing in Northampton

A natural slate roof can last for many decades, and some original slate roofs have lasted over 100 years before real problems began. The slates themselves usually outlast the nails and battens holding them, so an old slate roof often starts to fail because its fixings have corroded rather than because the slate has worn out.

Nail sickness is when the nails holding slates in place corrode and fail, letting slates slip or fall. It is common on older roofs because the original nails were often iron, which rusts over time. A few affected slates can be refixed, but if it is happening all over the roof, a re-roof with new fixings is usually the lasting answer.

Yes, slipped or broken slates can usually be refixed or replaced individually. Roofers often use a narrow strip of lead or copper, known as a tingle, to hold a refitted slate in place where it cannot be nailed. This is a sensible fix for isolated problems, but lots of tingles across a roof suggests the fixings are failing more widely.

Sometimes, but it is not always the right choice. Concrete tiles usually cost less than natural slate, but they are heavier and can look out of place on a street of slate roofs. Many homeowners re-roof in slate to keep the character of the house. We can talk through the pros and cons for your property, including any effect on the roof structure.

Often, yes. During a slate re-roof, sound original slates can be carefully removed, sorted and relaid, with damaged ones replaced by matching slates. How many can be reused depends on their condition, as older slates can become brittle or break around the nail holes. Reusing slate helps keep the original look of the roof.