Maintenance of a slate or tiled roof
Check the roof at least twice a year. Restore missing or slipped slates and tiles as soon as possible, to protect the plastered ceiling or timber roof beneath.
Tingles, thin strips of lead or copper, can fix smaller slates. Nails or pegs fix heavier stone slates. Loose tiles are re-fixed to the wooden laths or battens using the nibs or pegs on the tiles.
- Check the roof at least twice a year
- Replace slipped slates and tiles quickly
- Re-fix loose tiles to the battens
The lifespan of different kinds of roofs
Properly maintained roofs made from copper, slate and tile can last as much as fifty years.
Flat roofs need replacing sooner: felt roofs typically last 20-30 years, EPDM 25-30 years and GRP 30 years or more. Storms, frost and standing water can shorten the lifespan of any roof.
How to find out if a roof needs maintenance?
A roof can show signs of wear and tear before anything actually fails.
A worn-out roof that is not replaced in time causes major problems later. Monitor your roof closely and leave plenty of time to plan repair or replacement.
Roof Maintenance Indications
Slates or tiles are cracked, slipped or missing, or a flat roof is blistered, split or holding standing water.
The roof was installed more than twenty years ago. Modern roofing materials are more durable, but factors like poor ventilation can make a roof wear out faster.
If the neighbours are getting new roofs, yours may need replacing too. Homes in the same area are often built around the same time and face similar weather.
The roof has dark streaks or green patches caused by algae or lichen. They may not damage the roof, but they spoil its appearance, and a pressure washer can damage tiles and roof coverings, so have them cleaned gently.
Gutters and outlets blocked with leaves or moss let water back up onto the roof and into the walls. Clear them in spring and autumn.
In cooler, damp, low-sunlight areas, moss can grow on roof surfaces. It retains moisture, and when that freezes it can lift tiles and damage roof coverings. Moss can be brushed away with care, but it may grow back, so you may need professional help.
Get a free, no obligation quote
For more information about Roofing Maintenance Services in Andover, Basingstoke, Winchester, get in contact today. We are your local flat roof specialists for Hampshire. Please call 01264 551 007.
- Our location: Borodin Close, BASINGSTOKE, Hampshire, RG22 4EW
- Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm