Care and Preservation of Slate Roofs
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ISSUE 4/2008 V O L U M E 2 5 N U M B E R 4 Journal of architectural technology published by Hoffmann Architects, Inc., specialists in the rehabilitation of building exteriors. Care and Preservation of Slate Roofs Deborah J. Costantini, AIA and Benjamin J. Robinson, Assoc. AIA Accustomed as we are to the the country, from the humble country complicated roof systems of today’s cottage to the imposing cathedral, construction, with waterproof mem- slate roofs have become an endan- branes, insulation board, ballast, and gered species, not because they have adhesives, it can be hard to imagine reached the end of their serviceable that simple stone slabs nailed to a life, but rather due to a lack of infor- plain wood roof deck could protect mation about their repair and upkeep. against the elements for upwards of Because so many roofing professionals, a century. But that is exactly what a while knowledgeable about contem- slate roof does, provided it has been porary roofing materials, do not have properly designed and maintained. Al- much experience with natural stone, though they cover buildings through- slate roof owners are plagued with out New England and dotted around a barrage of misinformation—and incorrectly performed repairs. Walk- ing on the roof during installation or selecting the wrong type of fasten- ers for replacement slates could lead to cracked stone pieces tumbling off the roof: dangerous, unsightly, and a source of leaks. Even worse is the slate roof owner who dutifully invests in a full roof replacement, only to learn that the original roof still had fifty-plus years of useful life, and that the new roof, incorrectly installed, is beginning to crumble after just a few short years. So when is it necessary to replace a slate roof? And what maintenance is needed to keep the roof in good condition? A variety of new products are on the mar- ket, from synthetic slate to photovoltaic shingles. When would these be appropri- With regular maintenance and appropriate, periodic repairs, a well-designed slate roof can last ate technologies to consider, and how do upwards of a century. they integrate with traditional roofing? As a Project Architect with Hoffmann Architects, Inc., Deborah J. Costantini, AIA has specialized expertise in the design and maintenance of slate roofs. Project Coordinator Benjamin J. Robinson, Assoc. AIA develops design solutions for slate rehabilitation that apply new technologies to the historic roof restoration process. JOURNAL Broken slates Damaged flashing Loose gutters While slate rehabilitation can raise of problem areas, is essential to a slate fractures may not create observable many questions, caring for a historic roof’s longevity. problems until months or even years roof need not be a painful process. down the road, when the slate begins When should major investigations occur? After all, the material is durable, and to break apart, permits water entry, Every 5 to 7 years, a more thorough the construction elegantly simple. The and eventually slides off the roof. inspection by a qualified roofing solution lies in knowing what to look professional should be conducted to Who should perform the survey? for, and how to approach any prob- identify deteriorated conditions. Wait- Twice-yearly seasonal inspections for lems that do arise. ing until problems are so obvious and general conditions can be performed pervasive that they can no longer be by building maintenance personnel, How and When to Inspect a Slate ignored only leads to more costly re- but more comprehensive roof system Roof habilitation, with the added likelihood investigations should be conducted by Why inspect the roof? Adequate of interior and structural damage. A an architect or roofing design profes- drainage is a critical component of a detailed, routine investigation can help sional experienced with slate rehabili- properly functioning slate roof system. to identify minor deterioration and tation. For this reason, slate roofs typically maintenance issues which can then What needs to be inspected? Assess the have a high slope, so that water runs be addressed promptly, before they condition and quality of installation for off as quickly as possible. When leaves become serious problems. each component of the slate roof system: and other waste are allowed to ac- How should the inspection be conducted? • Slate. Document cracked, broken, cumulate on the roof or in gutters, Such surveys should be completed misaligned, delaminated, or missing water becomes trapped, creating a initially from the ground, with the use slates. “Sounding” a slate by tapping potential source for leaks. To prevent of binoculars, to assess the overall it with knuckles or a slating hammer this problem, simple gutter cleaning condition of the roof. However, can help determine its integrity; a and debris removal in the spring and because some defects are only evident dull thud can indicate poor condi- fall, along with inspections for signs on closer inspection, use of a ladder tion, whereas a full, deep sound of damage to the drainage or snow or lift to access all roof areas is an generally means the slate is intact. guard systems, should be performed important part of a thorough inves- twice a year. Basic roofing steward- tigation. Avoid walking on the roof! • Flashing. A slate roof is only as ship, including the early identification Slate cracks easily, and some hairline good as the weakest flashing detail. Deteriorated roof deck Missing fasteners Bent snow guards 2 V O L U M E 2 5 N U M B E R 4 Slates may last centuries, but flashing must be maintained and replaced Synthetic Slate periodically. Look for loose and missing fasteners, and flashing that Shingle Roofing: exhibits deformation, wearing, cor- rosion, or pin holes. Open seams When Is It a Viable Option? and missing flashing members are Why synthetic slate? also common sources of water Because natural slate roofs can last up to 100 years or more, property owners entry. Areas to investigate include: are often surprised when roof replacement is recommended. Rehabilitation ridge, hip, valley, roof-to-wall, drip of slate roofs can be both expensive and time intensive, requiring specialized edge, and step flashing. craftsmen (slaters), tools, and accessories. Natural slates often break during • Drainage system. Deterioration of shipment, such that additional quantities must be purchased. Plus, material lead copper gutters and drainage attach- times can drastically stretch out the timeline of the project. ments manifests similarly to flashing To circumvent these challenges, some slate roof owners have turned to syn- damage. Check for the signs of thetic slate shingles as an alternative reroofing option. Synthetic slate roofing distress listed above at gutters, con- is relatively inexpensive and can be installed quickly by a standard roofing crew, ductor heads, leaders, attachments, using pneumatic nail guns with standard roofing nails. Lead times for materials and related flashings. are shorter than those for natural slate. And, overall, the weight of the syn- • Substrate/roof deck. Inspect the thetic material is far less than that of traditional slate, allowing for a slate-like rafters and sheathing for moisture appearance on a structure that could not bear the load of natural stone. staining. Test probes, involving re- What is synthetic slate? moval of selected slates to expose Numerous manufacturers produce synthetic slate shingles. Product composition the substrate, can be used to deter- varies from rigid ceramic materials to semi-flexible shingles made with post-indus- mine if wood rot is present when trial waste rubber and plastics. While the real-time life expectancy of synthetic slate attic space is inaccessible. is not proven, laboratory testing has projected its useful life to be 40 to 60 years. • Fasteners. Confirm the condition How do synthetics compare with natural stone? and material of nails and other Just as with natural slate, the lifespan of a synthetic roof is dependent on the fasteners. Copper or steel nails are quality of the weakest element. Heavy gauge metal flashings, heavy roofing generally found on most slate roofs, underlayments and bituminous ice and water barriers are key aspects to a but replacement slates or flash- successful synthetic slate roof. Properly detailed conditions, such as intersec- ings may have been secured with tions at dormers, chimneys, vent stacks, and skylights, as well as hips, valleys and inappropriate fasteners, which may ridges, are important design considerations. deteriorate prematurely. Colors, textures, shingle sizes, and edge profiles of existing slate can all be • Accessories. Check the stability, mimicked with synthetic shingles. To determine if the “look” of the synthetic proper functionality, and correct is acceptable when compared to the natural stone, product samples and test installation of snow guards, lightning panels should be assessed in position on the roof. Often, synthetics have a protection systems, and other safety slight sheen and in some cases appear too regular in their coursing, yielding an devices. unnatural and potentially unappealing appearance. How should information from the Where might synthetic slate be suitable? inspection be collected and used? A design professional should be able to offer guidance in choosing an appropri- To create a record of the survey, ate synthetic or natural slate for a specific building. Is the structure to receive the both for immediate repairs and for new roof in a historic district or considered to be a landmark building? Can the long-range maintenance planning, roof structure bear the load of natural slate? What is the budget for the project? document deterioration conditions There are many questions that an architect will answer prior to recommending a and sites of previous repair work in specific roofing product, whether synthetic or natural slate. a written report, supplemented with Regardless of the material selected, proper detailing of the roof using quality photographs and drawings where products, thorough design documents, and certified installers is what yields a possible.