Removing A Slate Roof

You may be replacing an entire slate roof or simply repairing damaged shingles.

Removing a slate roof.

When replacement is necessary details contributing to the appearance of the roof should be retained. Remove moss and lichen from your roof with vinegar. When leaves and other material collect on your roof a perfect bed is formed for moss and lichens to grow. Removing slate shingles is usually done for one of two reasons.

Exactly how much it will cost will vary from region to region and from season to season. See my website link below for more roofing help http www fixmyroof co uk videos and guides pitched roof repair a slate roof this video shows not only how. This quality is what distinguishes slate as a suitable roofing material. In either case it s a job you can do yourself with a little planning and know how.

Moss itself is a plant while lichen conisist of a fungus and a photosyntheizing plant living together. Slate roofs can and should be maintained and repaired to effectively extend their serviceable lives. After you have killed the moss on your roof you must remove the dead moss manually or it will act like a sponge and soak up water further promoting decay. You also risk the potential of accidentally damaging the protective top layer of your roof shingles while trying to remove it with this method.

Removing slate nails diagonally this is particularly handy near gable ends and verges or when working near a valley where laths will be cut and may be unsupported of course nail chopping can also be done in the same manner. The bad news is that removing your slate roof will cost more than removing most other types of roofing. Slate roofs are a critical design feature of many historic buildings that cannot be duplicated using substitute materials. Slate is a sedimentary rock with miniscule layers that easily cleave.

Less easy but of far greater importance is the next step of removing the dead moss from the roof. Once turned into roofing material slate absorbs water and can naturally de laminate during the freeze and thaw cycles of winter. Removing lichen fully using this method is nearly impossible not to mention time consuming especially if you are dealing with a large surface like a roof. Both tasks work hand in hand to ensure the longest possible lifespan for your roof.