If you purchased or inherited a home with a slate roof, you know these stone roofs are extremely durable. Slate is fire and weather resistant, and absent any difficulties should protect your home for hundreds of years. That being said, slate is just like anything else: it needs a little TLC to keep looking its best.
How Often Should Slate Roofs Be Inspected?
A slate roof should be inspected by a qualified professional every five to seven years. If there’s been any significant event that has the potential to damage the roof, such as a tornado, lightning storm, or fire, it’s also a good idea to have the roof inspected.
What is the Inspector Looking For?
When a slate roof is being inspected, the inspector is considering numerous things. The condition of individual tiles is obviously a concern – they should be free from splits, cracks, chips or other damage. Another concern is the state of the roof as a whole. The roof inspector will check for the integrity and safety of the roof. Finally, the inspection will consider copper flashing, including in corners, valleys and ridges, as well as the chimney.
What Happens If There’s A Problem?
The vast majority of the time, a slate roof inspection will reveal that the roof is in good shape, or that minor repairs need to be done. The most common repair a slate roof needs is replacement of damaged roofing slates. This can be accomplished fairly quickly by a skilled slate roofing professional. It is better to address repairs when they are small, because large slate roof repairs can be time-intensive and costly.
Roof Inspections for Insurance & Home Sales
In addition to peace of mind, roof inspections are often required by home insurance companies. They’re also often needed when a home is going on the market. While slate roofs have a lot of inherent appeal, potential buyers want to know that the roof in question is in good condition.
Make sure your slate roof is in good repair. Schedule your inspection today!