Fixing Loose Slate Roof Tiles

When slate roofs begin to suffer from nail sickness or breakdown of the actual slates it usually indicates that the roof is approaching the age when complete re roofing will be required.

Fixing loose slate roof tiles.

Reinstate or replace any loose or missing tiles and slates. Galvanized steel nails should not be used for slates and tiles but are acceptable for fixing battens or underlay. After all all the fixing nails and all the slates will probably have been up there the same length of time so will all be suffering the same degree of ageing. How to repair a slate roof removing a tile this is easy with the correct tool.

Mortar bonded ridge tiles. Fixing points generally roof tiles have two fixing options lugs or lugs and nails roofing slates on the other hand will always be nailed as this is their primary and only point of fixing unless it s a hook fixing or in very rare occasions old traditional slate roofs may have wooden pegs. The ridge tiles have to seal the top of the roof and overlap onto the slates tiles on each side by at least 75mm 3 inches for slate and flat faced. Slates and tiles should be fixed using clout or slate nails these should be either silicon bronze aluminium to bs 1202 3 or copper to bs 1202 2.

Replacing missing roof slates or tiles. Mortar bonded fixing systems. Roof tiles and slates can break or come loose due to high winds or impact damage the failure of fixings and the action of frost or structural decay of timber roofing members. Lead bib slate repair if the roof hasn t got too many mistakes a good method of repair is the lead bib it s simply a section of code 3 or 4 flashing lead cut large enough to sit under the faulty slate or bad overlap to make it waterproof and the repair invisible.

Of the slates or tiles will hide the joint. The next tiles up is overlapped thus covering the nails. Repair loose or cracked cement roof tiles by lifting up adjacent tiles and sliding new tiles under the wooden batten that holds the tiles to the roof. You ll need a tile ripper.

Rake out the joints to remove all the loose mortar. 1 put on heavy work gloves and safety glasses. This is a specially designed tool which slides.