Laying Roof Slates

The size of the main slate is determined by, the design and slope of the roof and the position of the battens to which the slates are nailed. On every roof, however, two other sizes are used. The slates along the eaves and at the ridge are the same width as those used on the main part of the roof, but they are shorter. A third type of slate, called a tile-and-a-half is half as wide again as the main slates and is used at the end of every alternate row.

Some roofs have a narrow slate, called a creasing or verge slate at the end of each course on a gable end. It is laid underneath the main slates and tilts the edge of the roof upwards to stop rainwater running off the end of the roof and down the end wall. The top course and the eaves course of slates are always held with two nails along their top edge. The main slates may be fixed in the same way or they may be nailed halfway down. If a slate roof requires repair, the new slates must be fixed in the way originally used. Check all battens before starting to lay new slates or secure old ones. Cut away any rotten pieces and replace where necessary.

Slates vary in shape, size and thickness. When new ones are fitted to replace old ones they must be the same as the existing slates to ensure that the roof remains watertight. If the exact size required is not available, buy the nearest larger size and trim it to size. Slates are also available in different colours, and can be bought singly or in bulk from a variety of builder warehouses.

A cheaper alternative, however, for repairs to the roof of a old house is to buy second hand slates from a builders yard or from a site where property is being demolished. They are usually quite a bit cheaper than new slate tiles, but they have some disadvantages. For example, as slates age they flake and powder on the surface, especially near the nail holes; hairline cracks ? which can be difficult to detect develop along the grain.

Roof slates are very brittle: if they are handled roughly they break easily. Always hold them along their longer sides and tip them from the ground before lifting. Do not try to lift them flat off a pile. When carrying several slates at a time, wear canvas gloves and hold them on edge under one arm. If they are carried flat in a pile, they are likely to break.

Slates can be cut to any size or shape. Mark the size needed with a nail or trowel and hold the slate on a board. Make sure that the piece to be cut off is over the edge of the board. Chop with that part of the trowel nearest the handle. Make the nail holes in new slates before taking them to the roof. Find out which method of fixing is used and lay each slate, bevelled edge downwards, on the flat board. Make holes with a hammer and nail or wheel-brace and bit.

As a house ages, the roof slates may crack or break; or the nails securing them may corrode, and movement in the structure, or high wind, make the slates shear. Replacement roof slates cannot be nailed in place, because their fixing points are covered by the row above. They can, however, be secured with strips of lead. An indispensable tool for removing roof slates is a ripper.

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