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When Does A Slate Roof Need Replacing

The Best Roofing Contractors In Belle Meade Tennessee

Affleck Roofing – How to replace a broken slate or rood tile

You now have a good idea of how much your new roof will cost in Belle Meade, Tennessee. Remember, the costs we cover in this article arent exact.

If you want an even better idea of the cost numbers for the specific materials this article covers, multiply them by your roofs square footage. If you dont know how to calculate your roofs square footage to properly use the numbers we mentioned, check out How to Calculate the Square Footage of Your Roof.

After reading this article, youre ready to start your search for a great roofing contractor in the Belle Meade, Tennessee, area. Unfortunately, there are too many options in Belle Meade and the rest of Nashville that its hard to spot a reputable roofing contractor.

While were confident we can take care of all your roofing needs in the Belle Meade area, we understand were not the right fit for everyone. Thats why we wrote an article on the 7 Best Belle Meade , Tennessee, roofing contractors were confident recommending to homeowners like you.

Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roofing services in Belle Meade, Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, and other surrounding areas. No matter if you need roof repairs or a full roof replacement, you can count on our workmanship backed by a lifetime warranty to give you a roof that will last for decades.

If you think were the roofing company for your Belle Meade roof replacement, dont hesitate to contact us today for all of your roofing needs.

Q: How Do I Know When I Should Replace My Roof Its A Clay Tile Roof And The House Dates Back To 1905 A Few Tiles Have Come Down Which I Have Replaced But The Roof Is Quite Old I Asked A Roofer And He Said I Need To Replace It But He Was Obviously Keen On New Business It Is Such A Huge Amount Of Money That I Don’t Want I Replace The Roof Until I Absolutely Have To

This is a pitched roof with clay tiles , which dates from when the house was originally constructed in 1905, and a few tiles have come down. It is now over 100 years old and on a rule of thumb basis might now be expected to have reached the end of its useful life. That said, there are many old tiled roofs which are still in service, usually to preserve the character of a building but they will have been subject to an extensive overhaul and will need regular maintenance.

The majority of clay tiles from this era will be reliant on nibs to their rear faces, which rest upon timber battens. Only occasionally will nails be used additionally. Whilst by now, nails will no doubt be virtually rusted away, tiles dont tend to come down unless either the nibs have broken off, they are cracked through or the battens have given way. Signs to look out for, to determine when wholesale renewal is necessary, are tiles coming down increasingly more often, many slipped due to perished knibs, white salts to the underside, extensive spalling and or cracked/ snapped/broken battens.

It should be possible to coax a few years extra life from a clay tiled roof, provided the battens are still sound, by simply replacing individual defective old tiles with new, where needed .

Andrew McWhirter, McWhirter Associates, Chartered Surveyors

Deterioration Of Slate And Slate Roofs Return To Top

The white blotches on these Pennsylvania Soft-Vein slates indicate areas where gypsum is leaching out onto the surfaces of the slates. Photo: Jeffrey S. Levine.

The durability of a slate roof depends primarily on four factors: the physical and mineralogical properties of the slate the way in which it is fabricated installation techniques employed and, regular and timely maintenance. The first three of these factors are examined below. The maintenance and repair of slate roofs are discussed in later sections of this Brief.

The natural weathering of roofing slate manifests itself as a slow process of chipping and scaling along the cleavage planes. Paper thin laminations flake off the surface of the slate and the slate becomes soft and spongy as the inner layers begin to come apart, or delaminate. The nature of the sound given off by a slate when tapped with one’s knuckles or slating hammer is a fair indication of its condition. Highgrade slate, when poised upon the fingertips and struck, will emit a clear, solid sound. Severely weathered slates are much less sonorous, and give off a dull thud when tapped.

Paper thin lamination can be seen flaking off this weathered, 120 year piece of Pennsylvania Hard-Vein slate. Photo: Jeffrey S. Levine.

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Should Flashing Be Replaced Or Re

I knew comparing bids from different contractors was difficult for homeowners that dont do it everyday, but I didnt realize HOW frustrating it truly was until my grandmother in California sent me three estimates she had received from local roofing contractors and asked me to tell her which one she should go with. This is what I do for a living and I couldnt compare one to another as each contractor was recommending a different scope of work, different specifications and different products in each proposal. There was absolutely no way to compare apples to apples between the three bids and I came to the stark realization that this is the quandry that each of my customers are faced with, here in Hampton Roads, Virginia, when I present them with a proposal. I feel for them.

One of the biggest differences between roofing estimates that homeowners will receive is that one roofing contractor may have included replacing the flashing in his proposal while another roofing contractor may be re-using it. This could be a huge difference in the amount of work being performed and result in a very large price difference!

If The Decision Is To Repair

Do I Need To Patch Or Repair My Roof?

Slipped, broken or missing slates need re-securing or replacing using copper wire or straps fixings. Where a patch of slates is re-fixed, they can be secured with nails instead of tingles.

Its important to bear in mind, obvious repairs arent good from a resale point of view. When a building surveyor spots a repair using lead or copper clips, they may decide that the roof is reaching the end of its life and advise it should be recovered.

A good quality mastic applied in accordance with manufacturers instructions would help you avoid this whilst providing a repair lasting as long as the traditional methods.

Foam or bituminous-type remedial treatments are not recommended. They reduce ventilation causing the risk of timber decay. Furthermore, when it does become time to replace the roof make the slates reuseable.

Never reverse your old slates. However, the broken slates still have a value. Consider storing them for re-dressing and reuse elsewhere on the roof in future.

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How Long Do Wood Shakes And Shingles Last

The life expectancy of a roof made from wood can be up to 30 or 40 years, depending on the type of wood. Its often cedar thats used because it is resistant to both rot and insects.

Regular maintenance of a wood roof is required for it to achieve the longest possible lifespan, including cleaning and staining.

When Do I Need To Replace Slate Roof Tiles

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If you have a slate roof, youâre purchasing a home or building with a slate roof, or youâre just interested in having one installed and want to learn more about slate, you may be wondering when you need to replace slate roof tiles.

Slate roofs can easily last 100 years or longer. But, in many cases, you may need to replace a slate tile. Broken slates can be caused by impact damage from branches, hail and other debris, and just like any other type of roof, your slate roof wonât last forever.

So, how do you know when you need slate roof repairs? Get all of the information you need from this guide.

Perform Regular Visual Inspections To Look For Cracks And Damage

The preferred method of examining and inspecting your slate roof is to have a professional slater look at it once per year. This usually wonât take long. They will look for fallen tiles , and for cracked and damaged tiles.

In most cases, your roofing inspection wonât reveal any serious issues. But itâs always better to be safe than sorry. If a few of your tiles fail in the same area, the underlying roof structure could become sodden with moisture â and eventually require a complete roof replacement, rather than just the replacement of damaged slates.

Inspect Individual Tiles For Flaking, Delamination, Or Powdering

If youâre not sure if you can recognize these signs that there may be something wrong with your slate tile, we recommend turning to a professional.

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Is It Worth Repairing A Slate Roof

Lets be honest, a slate roof really is the Cadillac of roofs. Slate is nearly indestructible. But that nearly part is important. Many homeowners think a slate roof can last forever. After all, there are many buildings with slate roofs pushing two centuries that seem to still be doing fine. So for a roof that can last well beyond a lifetime, its understandable that some people think theyll last forever. But like all things, a slate roof cannot go on forever. So when you start to notice leaks, is it worth repairing a slate roof? Is it just time to throw in the towel and go with something cheaper? Or, if you are a historical purist, is it time for a new slate roof, despite the high cost? Eagle Watch Roofing will take a look at all the options to help you decide when it is worth repairing a slate roof and when its time to look at other options.

Assess The Quality Of The Slate

Replace a Slate – Hall Hook Method

Like many building materials, cost is a pretty dependable gauge in terms of quality cheaper slates do not typically offer the same durability. Look for accreditation quality slate will always carry one. If slate hasnt been tested to BS EN12326 standard and it doesnt have CE marketing, it doesnt meet UK Building Regulations and shouldnt be installed, says Ahmed El-Helw.

Another key area to investigate before laying a slate roof is the rate of water absorption, where lower rates are better. Regulations require that slate has a water absorption rate of less than 0.6%, says Ahmed El-Helw. However, thats only recently changed. The standard used to be 0.3% or less, and many in the industry would argue this is still the mark of excellence.

Double check the carbonate content, too slate that has been graded S1 is the best as it has a carbonate content of no more than 20%. If the level of carbonate is more than 20% it could reduce the durability of the slate.

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What To Expect If You Replace Your Roof Before You Sell:

If your home demands a full roofing overhaul to sell, then prepare to fork up a significant sum to cover the project. HomeAdvisor reports that homeowners spend on average between $5,346 $10,787 on roof replacement, though Jennifer and Andrew Oldham have witnessed clients spend as much as $60,000.

The good news is, a roof replacement returns a fair amount of investment: 61.2% to 65.9% by Remodeling Magazines estimate. Industry research leaders the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Realtors echo this calculation in their joint 2019 Remodeling Impact Report. New roofing ranks the number one project for appeal to buyers and likely added value to home at resale. The report estimates that a new roof brings an average $8,000 return, with 33% of agents stating that a new roof has helped them close a sale.

How Much Does A Roof Replacement Cost In Belle Meade Tennessee

President at Bill Ragan Roofing Company

So, you just learned you need a new roof for your Belle Meade, Tennessee home. Now youre scrambling, trying to learn as much as possible about a roof replacement.

This includes the roof replacement process, which roofing material is right for you, how long it takes, and so much more. But if youre like the majority of homeowners, theres one big thing you care about.

This, of course, is how much a roof replacement will cost. Unfortunately, pricing is the hardest information to find because the industry avoids anything relating to cost.

But for over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has done things differently. We take pride in being upfront and answering tough questions the rest of the roofing industry avoids.

To start this article, well cover the average cost of a roof replacement in Tennessee. After that, well give you the price per square foot of the popular types of roofing materials in the Belle Meade area.

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Advantages Of Buying Your New Slate From Burton Roofing Merchants

At BRM we use our extensive product knowledge to match the type, colour, texture and size of slates for your requirements.

We carry more slate stock than other merchants. We will be happy to help you find the right slate, for the age/location of any building. Why not bring one of your old slates along to find a match. Or contact one of our reps, who will discuss the options with you one site and provide samples.

When completely renewing a heritage slate roof its advisable to photograph the detailing of hips, valleys, ridges, dormers, eaves and abutments. Changing the details of a roof could require Listed Building Consent. The ventilation of true slate roofs must be increased sensitively, where required. Historic England provides useful advice in their ‘I want to ‘I want to renew my roof’ article.

One final tip: Avoid breaking the old slates they have a value. Remove nails with care. The slates have the potential to be re-used. It’s possible to mix new slates with old ones across the roof, but more frequently set them aside for use a smaller slope.

If you need any further advice on the repair or re-slate of your roof get in touch with our experienced staff either at your local branch or via our livechat.

What Constitutes A High Quality Slate Roof Installation

Signs that You Need to Replace Your Slate Roof
  • Check the angle / pitch of your roof,depending on how steep or shallow your roof is this will dictate how much overlap or head lap is required on your slates.
  • Make sure that the wood underneath is cleared of old nails and splinters that may damage the integrity of the roof.
  • Roll out the chosen underlayment which will add another layer of protection from severe weather from your home.
  • Secure the underlayment with preferably copper or galvanized nails firmly into position but not too hard that the underlayment is damaged or ripped.
  • One of the most important things with slate tiles is to use copper nails when installing. This is because standard metal nails will rust and fall apart after 40-50 years and the slate ties will start to loosen up and fall off the roof one by one. In fact, our number one service call with slate roofs is re-securing the tiles where the roof was not done with copper nails.
  • When securing the slate, make sure the nails do not penetrate through and out the other side and puncture the underlayment which will cause water to seep into your attic space.
  • Install proper drip edge and ensure that all roofing penetrations are properly flashed and sealed. Drip edges should be installed to prevent water from being blown up under your slate tiles.
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    What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring A Roofer

    Always write down the questions you want to ask a roofing contractor. That way you wont forget anything important that you want to be included in your quote. Common questions to ask a contractor are:

    • What experience do you have installing slate roofing?
    • Do you have a website where I can look at your past projects?
    • If you dont have a website, do you have a portfolio with photographs of work youve completed in the past?
    • Do you have references or testimonials from your previous customers?
    • Are you a member of SPRA or NFRC?
    • Do you organise the scaffolding and is the cost included in my quotation?
    • Do you organise any rubbish removal?
    • Have you got public liability insurance? (This is important because if someone has an accident on your land because of the roof repair, they could take you to court. The roofers insurance will cover you against these claims.

    Finally, make sure you get a written quote and that it includes everything you want the contractor to do.

    How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Slate Roof

    Average cost: $11,000 $24,000 The average roofing installation price for a slate tile roof costs anywhere between $11,550 to $24,000 depending on the slope, pitch, and size of your homes roof. You can expect to pay $9 to $16 per sq. foot or $900 to $1,600 per square installed on a standard sized single story home.

    How often does a roof need replacing?

    Knowing when a roof was installed offers insight into how much life it has left. For instance, a typical asphalt shingle roof lasts 20 to 25 years, while a roof installed over an existing layer of shingles should be replaced after 20 years.

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