why do the roofers have diff. opinions for my old slate roof

17 years ago

I posted earlier about how to know if an 80 year old slate roof is going, and now that a few roofers have come out to lok at it, I'm more confused than ever! Everyone has a different opinion (prices vary widely too)

First person out said the roof should be redone when we do the siding on the dormers. Showed me the slate pieces, crumbling, and said the roof is near the end- 1 0r 2 years tops. Did not mention anything about the gutters.

Second roofer said the slate looked in good condition for its age, and the big problem is the box (enclosed) gutter running along the front of the house. Totally rotten, along with the fascia board and should be taken out. He pointed out places where it looked like water was getting in the house. The work would include removing a 3' feet of the roof to repair. Front gutter and downspouts would all be copper. He would also install snow guards, which we don't have on our roof.

Needless to say, I'm confused---------how do you know what to do or who to believe?

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Comments (6)

fqp25
17 years ago
Well it looks like you have to do some roofing repairs regardless. That should be the first priority.

The second guy probably has a little bit experience in repining or "saving " slate roofs, that's Why he said it is in good condition "For It's Age". He probably wants to keep the roof in slate, where as the first guy wants to rip it off.

Snow guard is a very important element in the roofing system and should be installed no matter what you do. You'll have to trust your gut instinct. Keeping the slate and repairing what needs to be done, both to the roof and replacing bad pieces of slate, can be very costly.
kjb120
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks fqp25.
Third roofer out here today- he did not inspect roof ( job req. said estimate new roof) but said based on age and need for repairs to gutters and dormers(which involve a lot of removal and replacement of slate), there was no way to guarantee how long the slate will last. Also said he would not remove the box gutter but reline it. He said it would be very expensive carpentry work to remove because of the elaborate dentil (sp?) molding running right below it.

All I know is replacing the siding on our dormers has turned into a much larger whole roof project;(
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sycamore_guy
17 years ago
Often the difference in recommendations is due to differences in skill or interest levels. Few roofers really understand slate.

It could be the first is all wet and your roof is fine or it could be the second one is wrong and your roof is a wreck. However, if the slate is crumbling, I cannot imagine how anyone could say it 'looked good'. Crumbling is not good.

The first guy may not want to do anything with your gutter and therefore didn't even comment.
housekeeping
17 years ago
Here's something that might help you begin to sort out the situation: it's a link to a website of the author of "The Slate Roof Bible". The book probably tells you more than you need to know, but if you read it you'll know 'way more than most roofers who come to look at your roof.

Here's the link:

http://www.jenkinspublishing.com/slate.html

I have the care of slate roofs on 10 buildings, from a tiny two-hole outhouse to a very large two story, with a slate-roofed cupola, hay barn. My slate is more 150 years old and in constant need of maintenance. The hardest part is finding a qualified and willing worker; I've had some real doozies claim they knew what they were doing. I only try a few of the most basic maintenance techniques described in the book myself, but at least once I found out the correct way things should be done, I wasn't at the mercy of roofer ignorance and mindless prejudice against slate.

HTH

Molly~

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Slate Roof Bible
kec01
17 years ago
We used to have a Ludowici tile roof on our old house, in St. Paul, MN and there is only 1 company in the entire Twin Cities area that we trusted to work on it. Slate and tile roofs require people who know what they are doing!!! If the companies you've met with only work on shingle roofs, I wouldn't use them at all! Check the website referred to and call your city's building office to see if they can help by telling you who the more established slate roofing companies are in your area.
homebound
17 years ago
I didn't see your original post, so I'm wondering what's causing your concerns - general appearance or specific cracks and/or leaks.

Anyway, cracked slate tiles can be replaced, and that's likely the way to go unless you really have lots of damage up there. Use a guy who does slate, since he'll have the proper cutters for it, etc. Having tiles replaced periodically just goes with the territory for an old slate roof and it's not necessarily a sign that the roof has to be redone.

The first guy sounds foolish. Second guy sounds knowledgeable and skilled (and it's a bad thing that he says it looks "good for it's age" - I'm sure he' tell you if it didn't look reliable).

Now you can ask him if it would be ok to reline the gutter instead...or is it really too rotted out (I'll bet it is) and if he can do it either way.

Go with the second guy, or find another who does slate and ask him (the realtors or slate suppliers might have a good lead for you).

why do the roofers have diff. opinions for my old slate roof

Comments (6)

fqp25

kjb120
Original Author

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why do the roofers have diff. opinions for my old slate roof

Comments (6)

fqp25

kjb120Original Author

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kjb120
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