How To Work On A Slate Roof

Precautions needed to work safely on slate roofs.

How to work on a slate roof.

Some roofs have been up for nearly a century and while the stone is still effective damage is possible. The roofers should try to adhere to the below mentioned precautions while working on slate roofs. On some other fragile but not totally fragile roofs such as slate roofs cement tile cement asbestos fiber cement and hard fired ceramic clay tile roofs contractors suspend a ladder over the roof surface hanging it from the ridge as shown in our photo of slate roor replacement underway in duluth mn and cushioning it off of the roof surface using foam or insulation padding or contractors work from scaffolding. Added to this fact slate roofing structures tend to accumulate a bit of moisture or winter snow.

During the rainy season slate roofs become slippery and cause numerous problems for the roofers. You would probably need to find a slate roofing specialist in your area to do that. Fake slates are only an option if you are replacing either the entire roof or a section of the roof. In order to maintain your investment and make sure it lasts a slate roof will need regular maintenance.

Set up another ladder next to the eave of the roof. If you don t have a chimney or sturdy object on your roof slide 2 3 tiles on your roof up so you can access the rafters underneath. If you have a real slate roof i would only recommend replacing any missing or broken slates with other natural properly matched slates. Screw a harness anchor onto the rafters and tie the rope to it.

If the roofs are made of slate or tiles it is even more hazardous. It is to be kept in mind that repairing any kind of pitched roof is a dangerous task. Scaffolding or ladders working on a slate roof requires delicacy. This can be carried out cheaply and it s work you can comfortably undertake yourself.

Although a slate roof is initially quite costly it will often last for a lifetime and beyond.