Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing a New Slate Roof

If you have decided on a slate roof for your new build, you certainly wouldn’t be alone. Taking a look at some of the roofs in Sydney suburbs will help you to understand just how popular slate is regarding roofing choices. While a slate roof is never going to be the cheapest option, it will last for many years. There are, however, mistakes that can easily be made when installing a slate roof. Here are some of the most common that you will want to avoid.

• Settling for Second-Hand Slate Roof Tiles – Yes, there are roofers out there who will quote you a cheap price if you are prepared to accept used slate tiles. Considering the importance of the roof, this should never be an option. Any reputable slate roofer would insist on using the very best quality slate tiles and would never consider using second-hand tiles.
• Using an Inferior Roof Deck – The timber that is used for the roof deck needs to be specially treated, which will ensure that it stands the test of time. One thing you most certainly do not want is to have to remove the slate tiles in a few years to replace rotting decking. Any reputable slate roofing company would insist on using timber that is treated correctly.
• Walking on Slate Roof Tiles – While slate tiles are very durable, they will not stand the weight of a person, something that any slate roofing company in Sydney would happily confirm. Slate roofers use special boards that allow them to move around without walking on tiles that are already in place, and would never risk walking on a section of roof that has already been tiled.

• Insufficient Headlap – Headlap refers to the overlap of the top section of slate roof tiles, as all slate tiles must be overlapped. The minimum headlap should be at least 2 inches or could be as much as 4 inches, depending on the pitch angle of the roof.
• Hiring the Wrong Contractor – Not every roofer has working experience with slate, and prior to coming to any agreement, you should insist on seeing a couple of slate roofs that the contractor has installed. It isn’t unheard of that a roofer has assured the client that they can install slate roofing, yet in reality, they have zero working experience with this natural material. It is imperative that you confirm that the roofing company have considerable experience installing slate roofing. Otherwise, you are taking a very real risk on an inferior outcome.

There are variations in slate tile colour and texture, so make sure the contractor who quotes you has made you aware of these options. By visiting a few of their previous slate roofing projects, you can see first-hand the quality of their workmanship.