Easy Tips For Awesome Slate Tile Roof Repair Lafayette, IN
Slate roofs are popular for many reasons. They are aesthetically pleasing, and they are also highly weather-resistant and durable. Made of sedimentary rock, slate tile roofs can last up to a century with proper care. However, if you neglect damage as it happens, and don't get your slate roof repaired when necessary, you can significantly shorten the lifespan of your roof, perhaps even leading to the need for a full slate roof replacement. Before you undergo that expensive, complicated procedure, deal with problems as they crop up so that your roof stays in peak condition for years and decades to come.
There are a lot of factors that go into the proper care and repair of a slate tile roof. And when it is damaged, you may be tempted to try to handle the repair job yourself. Usually, this is fine if you are just looking to create a stop-gap to prevent further damage while you are searching for the right slate tile roof repair company or contractor, but if more extensive work needs to be done, you really should leave it to trained professionals, like those at Lafayette, IN Slate Tile Roof Repair. Slate roofs in particular are tricky to repair, and easy to damage while walking about on them if you are not careful; it is far better to pay an expert (who, by the way, is almost certainly insured against damages caused accidentally during repair work) than to do the job yourself and risk wasting time, money and materials only to find you have made your problem worse.
There are a lot of factors that go into the proper care and repair of a slate tile roof. And when it is damaged, you may be tempted to try to handle the repair job yourself. Usually, this is fine if you are just looking to create a stop-gap to prevent further damage while you are searching for the right slate tile roof repair company or contractor, but if more extensive work needs to be done, you really should leave it to trained professionals, like those at Lafayette, IN Slate Tile Roof Repair. Slate roofs in particular are tricky to repair, and easy to damage while walking about on them if you are not careful; it is far better to pay an expert (who, by the way, is almost certainly insured against damages caused accidentally during repair work) than to do the job yourself and risk wasting time, money and materials only to find you have made your problem worse.
Do-It-Yourself Slate Roof Repair
If you decide to tackle a slate tile roof leak repair on your own, you basically have two ways you can go. The first is to simply remove the old tile at the site of the leak, and to cover the hole. This will require a slate ripper, if available, or some wire cutters if not, to help remove the broken slate, and also some roof tar with which to cover the source of the leak. This is a quick, easy, cheap repair to perform; however, it is also extremely slipshod and temporary; you are going to need a more permanent slate tile repair if you want to prevent future leaks and keep your slate tile roof looking and performing great.
The second option involves actually removing the original slate tile, and properly affixing a new one in it's place. This is a complex job best performed by licensed slate tile roof repair contractors, that involves the use of a wide variety of tools and materials and requires at least a solid foundation of roofing knowledge. If you do decide to attempt permanent repairs on your own, you first need to run down the checklist of tools and materials that you will need for fixing slate roof tiles. These are things such as: a hammer, a flight pry bar, a slate ripper (or wire cutters), a slate cutter, a chicken ladder, a caulking gun, galvanized roofing nails, and tin snips.
You can use the slate ripper/wire cutters to cut the nails that are holding the damaged tile in place. Once this is accomplished, you can pull out the broken pieces of slate roof tile. Once that it done, you can measure the gap, and then use the slate cutter to cut a new tile. Make sure that the size of the new tile is three inches greater than double the size of the gap; this ensures proper overlap for the new tile. After that, slide the new tile into place, and create a countersink by nailing it in from the back, using bobs to protect the tip of the nail so it doesn't damage other tiles.
The second option involves actually removing the original slate tile, and properly affixing a new one in it's place. This is a complex job best performed by licensed slate tile roof repair contractors, that involves the use of a wide variety of tools and materials and requires at least a solid foundation of roofing knowledge. If you do decide to attempt permanent repairs on your own, you first need to run down the checklist of tools and materials that you will need for fixing slate roof tiles. These are things such as: a hammer, a flight pry bar, a slate ripper (or wire cutters), a slate cutter, a chicken ladder, a caulking gun, galvanized roofing nails, and tin snips.
You can use the slate ripper/wire cutters to cut the nails that are holding the damaged tile in place. Once this is accomplished, you can pull out the broken pieces of slate roof tile. Once that it done, you can measure the gap, and then use the slate cutter to cut a new tile. Make sure that the size of the new tile is three inches greater than double the size of the gap; this ensures proper overlap for the new tile. After that, slide the new tile into place, and create a countersink by nailing it in from the back, using bobs to protect the tip of the nail so it doesn't damage other tiles.
When Should I Call the Pros?
Often, you will find that a slate roof repair job is too big for you to tackle on your own. There is no shame in that; it's why great roofing contractors such as Lafayette, IN Slate Tile Roof Repair exist, to handle these complicated repairs for you. It's important to know when you have bit off more than you can chew. If any of the following apply to your situation, don't hesitate; call for a quote and to schedule service immediately.
1. You Cannot Locate the Source of a Slate Roof Leak
If your roof is leaking, and you cannot pinpoint it's source with accuracy, you need an expert. Slate tiles are expensive, and you can't just go ripping them off at random hoping to find where moisture is coming in.
2. You Do Not Have The Right Materials For the Job
If you are lacking the supplies or tools needed to perform your own roof repair, its easier and more convenient, and sometimes even cheaper, to pay a qualified contractor to do the work on your roof rather than pursuing it yourself.
3. You Have Questions Regarding the Safety of the Work
If you have any doubts at all about your ability to do the job safely, and without causing further costly damage to your roof, call in the cavalry; nothing is worth the risk of suffering permanent injury or making the problem worse when you have a well-trained, experienced group of professionals who can assume and mitigate those risks for you.
1. You Cannot Locate the Source of a Slate Roof Leak
If your roof is leaking, and you cannot pinpoint it's source with accuracy, you need an expert. Slate tiles are expensive, and you can't just go ripping them off at random hoping to find where moisture is coming in.
2. You Do Not Have The Right Materials For the Job
If you are lacking the supplies or tools needed to perform your own roof repair, its easier and more convenient, and sometimes even cheaper, to pay a qualified contractor to do the work on your roof rather than pursuing it yourself.
3. You Have Questions Regarding the Safety of the Work
If you have any doubts at all about your ability to do the job safely, and without causing further costly damage to your roof, call in the cavalry; nothing is worth the risk of suffering permanent injury or making the problem worse when you have a well-trained, experienced group of professionals who can assume and mitigate those risks for you.
FAQs
How Much Should a Lafayette Slate Tile Roof Repair Cost?
The costs of repairing a slate tile roof are generally higher than for other materials. This is due to the technical skill involved in proper installation of new tiles, and the quality of the material. Usually, depending upon the extent of the damage needing repair, you can expect to pay between 700 and 2000 dollars for quality repair work.
How Can I Find the Best Slate Roofers Near Me?
Fixing slate tiles is exacting work, but we have good news for you: If you are reading this paragraph, then you are already on the road to getting the very top quality slate roofing service that you deserve; call Lafayette, IN Slate Tile Roof Repair today for a competitive quote and to schedule inspection and repair services for the damage to your slate tile roof.
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- Lafayette, IN
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