| Author | Message | ||
     steve bryan |
I have a house that was built 10 years ago with a Buckingham Slate roof. The shingle is a 12" X 20" with a 8 or 10" exposure. It is a great roof. The flat portion of the roof is EDPM. The slate portion has the slope of a typical mansard roof( steep) There was not a problem until we decided to build a inground pool. Our pool contractor had installed the shotcrete without any problem. The problem came when we selected a Diamondbrite plaster product. It's durability sold us. The disaster happened when his crew's line became clogged as they were shooting the plaster into the pool. They increased the pump and the line burst spewing plaster all over our fine roof and house. I was not here but my contractor that was building the cabana told me ever detail. They proceeded to get on ladders ( that were not tall enough) and hose the plaster off the roof. It was a relatively cool july drizzly day. The crew chief later proceeded to get a pressure washer and attack the situation. This was a mistake as he had the wrong type nozzle. When I look up, it looks like a big worm made swerly trails on the roof. Basically, he took the 10 years of aging/patina roof the roof. What can we do, clean down to what he did, or let time take care of it. Any slate experts out there? The pool contractor was at first anxious to clean it himself, but i said no, you have done enough damage already. I am holding his money until we can determine what it is going to take to get it back. Any ideas, linseed oil, surekleen, vanatrol? These could cause problems to the vegatation in the yard. thanks, Steve Bryan | ||
| Joe Jenkins |
That does not sound like a good situation. What about replacing the slates? Does the contractor have liability insurance? You should have a roof at least as good as it was before it was defaced. Cleaning is an option, although I personally don't know of any cleaning agents that would be practical in this situation. What about the flashings? Will cleaning agents affect those as well? Reslating the area that has become discolored would be the final solution, but also probably the most costly. | ||
| Steve Bryan |
Joe, Thanks for the quick reply. Do you think that mother nature,ie. pollution,tree pollen, rain, etc. will diminish the swirl marks over time that were created by the idiot that didn't know what he was doing that day. Does Buckingham slate have consistent properties through out the depth of the shingle? The integrity of our roof is intact, so this is basically an aesthetic issue. I had received a quote to remove and reinstall new shingles in the affective areas $$, but I fear their insurance carrier will try to say that you can clean them, which we cannot. That would make unaffected sections look different from the those areas. I really don't want to do a tear-off and replacement, but I do know that our property was damaged and that is worth something. I have been looking for an expert's unbiased opinion an I would greatly appreciate any insight that you might add as this seems to be a unique problem that I am not sure has happened any where else that I have heard of. Also, I realize that that you do this for a living, so I apologize for taking up your time. I also just recently bought your book and that is how I found out about you Many thanks Steve Bryan Goldsboro, NC | ||
| joe |
Mortar cement film is typically cleaned from stone using muriatic acid. I think this would probably clean the plaster film your slates, although it will also eat through your flashings (if, for example, you have built in gutters) unless the flashings are thoroughly rinsed with water after the cleaning. The acid is usually diluted with water before use. It can be bought at any masonry supply store. If you have copper flashings, the acid will turn them green almost immediately. I think a dilute acid wash would be worth a try. | ||
| Anonymous |
i have used a solution of tide powdered detergent with water and applied it. it will speed up the aging effects | ||
| Peter |
Have you considered using a strip of copper at the ridge level ?. The copper will clean off any moss etc and carry away the marks on your roof. If it's not leaking give mother nature a helping hand to restore an even color to your slates, the less interference the better. | ||
| ant |
We need plasters, contractors, crews, indepentant we have over 33,000 homes with interior damage. top dollar, work in warm Florida for the next 10 to 20 years. it took 20yrs to build 3million homes, we have 5.5 million damaged call 941-468-1410 we need roofers to. | ||
| Don Mosher |
I just had some routine maintenance done on my roof (a graduated vermont slate roof, circa 1927) and was told by the contractor that my ridges were wide open. He said that he could re-tar it, or, that the best thing I could do is a copper ridge. I went with the copper ridge but am now regretting it as it seems to me to be an eye-sore. I know that the color will fade as time goes on. My question is does a copper ridge add or detract to the value of a slate roof? Thanks. | ||
| Peter |
Hi Don, I believe in what I call "Proper Ridge Detail" being European it's the detail I'm used to as opposed to exposed slates at the ridge. Perhaps the question should be "Does it help the roof ?". I think it is both good for the roof and therefore adds value. Regarding the "Look" it is possible to accelerate the patination of the copper and tone it down, I can understand the view of your beautiful authentic slate roof has been changed by the appearance of the new copper. I expect that most slaters would be alarmed at the idea of tarring the ridge, a lot of items to take into consideration regarding all tar like substances. Regards, Peter Crawley, M.I.o.R. www.crawleyroofing.com | ||
| Anonymous |
Don, As you ask the question does copper ridge add or detract to the value of the slate roof. Well it certainly adds more value to the slate roof than tarr would. The next question is, was the copper installed correctly on the ridge? Do you notice bumps, wrinkles and/or the over lap areas. You see it can also be installed wrong and that can detract from the value of the slate roof. why? Because it will have to be done again. I wouldn't let the color bother me as much as proper installation. The color will change and rather quick but, if installed wrong that won't change unless you have someone change it. slate on! |
