A roof inspection is an excellent way to keep slate and tile roofing looking its best. It is also an excellent way to prevent leaks, which can lead to costly repairs. If you have recently moved into a home with slate or tile roofing, an inspection will usually reveal that damaged roofs can be easily repaired rather than replaced.
While it is tempting to inspect yourself, it is best to leave the job to an expert. An experienced slate and tile roofing contractor knows how to access your roofs without causing any damage.
Furthermore, depending on the pitch and height of your roof, conducting the inspection could be risky for individuals not used to climbing on rooftops.
Here are the tips to consider to help you handle the job:
Slate Roof Maintenance and Repair Tips
Know the Roofing Components
Roofs are made up of more than just the shingles you see from the ground. Flashings, for example, are critical components to install around protrusions, areas where roofs meet a dormer, and valleys.
It would be best if you replaced any corroded or missing flashing as soon as possible. If you ignore this, the flashing can make the roof susceptible to leaks, necessitating a premature roof replacement.
Avoid Roof Walking
You should avoid walking on the slate roof when doing any maintenance. A thin slate shingle can easily crack or break due to its light surface weight, resulting in additional property damage. Look at the slate roof from the ground level with a camera or a pair of binoculars.
You’ll need to do much of the maintenance to inspect your roof. Examine the cracked or broken area. If you notice any damage, contact a reputable contractor who provides slate roofing services. Furthermore, your roofer will quickly repair the damaged areas at a lower cost than it would have cost you to repair more extensive damage.
Fix Leakages
Most people usually wait for issues to get out of hand before acting. Instead, address leaks as soon as they are found.
If you look at the guttering and flashing, you can tell whether the slate roof is the problem. This is because they are typically the weakest points of slate roofs.
Check the sheathing under the slates while you are fixing the leaks. If it needs to be replaced, avoid using plywood or pressure-treated substances.
Deal with Hairline Cracks
Stains on slate tiles show that the roof material is getting thinner. The sediments pretty much show this in the gutters.
In addition, the slate tiles may have hairline cracks. If you notice tiles with these cracks prematurely compared to others, it’s most likely because your roofing has aged.
Ensure Adequate Insulation and Proper Ventilation
This is one of the important parts that can help a roof last longer. Without proper ventilation, a buildup of moisture and heat in the attic may cause your roof to lose insulation efficiency and rot.
Poorly ventilated attics are major contributors to the formation of damaging ice dams in the winter. In other words, if your attic is well-ventilated and insulated, it can help your roof last for many years.
Clean Regularly
When cleaning your slate roof, use a medium roughness and brush gently with a good household cleaner. Avoid using hard industrial and pressure cleaners on your slate roof, as they can easily cause damage.
Cut Overhanging Branches
It is best to have trees with long branches cut down in front of homes. Such branches above your slate roof will encourage the fall of leaves, which can block the gutters.
When debris, such as branches, twigs, and leaves, accumulate in your guttering system, it causes additional problems, such as ice dams. Cutting down overhanging branches will reduce the amount of debris that finds its way into your gutters.
Tile Roof Maintenance and Repair Tips
Annual Cleaning
Dirt and debris on your tile roof can cause problems such as hidden damage and cracked tiles.
Debris Removal
Small debris, such as twigs and leaves, can get stuck on the uneven surface of a tile roof. This debris buildup is not only unsightly, but it can also trap moisture against the tiles. The increased moisture increases the likelihood of algae growth, staining, and water damage.
Trim back trees, so they don’t overhang the roof to reduce debris accumulation. You can also regularly rinse the roof with a garden hose attachment to remove small amounts of loose debris without climbing onto the roof.
Pressure Washing
Some debris, such as bird droppings or algae stains, cannot simply be swept away. Pressure washers can remove this residue from concrete roof tile without damaging the roof if used on a low to medium setting.
You can use a specially formulated tile roof cleaner if the roof is particularly dirty or stained. Apply the cleaner to the roof and use it to loosen the dirt and stains before removing it with the pressure washer.
Minor Repairs
Although tiles are long-lasting, they are not indestructible. Avoid significant problems by making repairs while the damage is still minor.
Tile Replacement
Cracked tiles can result in more significant issues, such as leaks and rotten roof sheathing. Caulk, which comes in colors similar to your tiles, can be used to fill small holes or cracks. More significant damage necessitates tile replacement. A roofer will remove the old tile and replace it with a new one that is held in place with nails, mortar, and roofing adhesive.
Request that some extra roof tiles be left with you when the roof is installed to supply matching tiles from the same color lot. If this isn’t an option, you’ll have to make the best possible color match with any tile replacement.
Eave Repairs
If your roof’s eaves get damaged, it can lead to wood rot, water in your attic, and pests. Most eaves are made of wood or vinyl. Check the paint on wood eaves at least once a year for peeling or blistering. If you see damage to the paint, fix it immediately to prevent dry rot.
Both wood and vinyl eaves should be checked for cracks, holes, and missing soffit vent covers. If you find damage, fix it immediately before the problem worsens.
Roof Renewal Options
The tiles on your roof can last for decades or even centuries, so you want to ensure they look good for as long as possible.
Sealant Application
Even though it’s not often used, tile sealant prevents moisture from seeping into roof tiles through tiny cracks or chips that can happen as the roof ages. In the event of a freeze, the water can expand in the cracks and break the tile. Even if it doesn’t freeze, the damage will happen slowly as the crack grows.
The sealant also helps renew the roof since it evens out minor color changes caused by weathering or sun fading. A roofer can apply a sealant to your roof after a thorough cleaning.
Color Upgrades
Tile colors can fade over time, or tiles can become discolored due to stains caused by algae. You may also grow tired of the color of your roof, especially if you change the color of your home’s exterior. Color coatings allow you to renew or change the color of your roof.
The Takeaway
Whatever material you use for your home or building, maintenance is essential, especially if you want it to last a long time.
Regular maintenance is required for slate and tile roofs. This involves conducting regular inspections to determine where the problem is and resolving any issues that arise before they become more serious.
Call Us Today
Call us today to schedule a professional, risk-free roof inspection. We provide roof repair and emergency roofing services to our Minnesota residents. Our reliable roofing company is here to help you. We can’t wait to meet you!