| Author | Message | ||
     Olde_mohawk_masonry__historic_restoration (Olde_mohawk_masonry__historic_restoration) Senior Member Username: Olde_mohawk_masonry__historic_restoration Post Number: 130 Registered: 04-2007 |
Claire, our organization (SRCA) has several members in and around Baltimore--they're listed elsewhere on this site. I am confident that you can find at least one among the bunch to come and take a look. As far as repair vs replace is concerned, all I am hearing is that you have broken slate; not a word about flashing/leak issues, which is the big expense. In a day or two, and for a few thousand dollars, perhaps things could be straightened out up there. Compare that to $12-15/sq' to replace with fake slate (about $40k to re-roof a modest home.) I think the answer is obvious. | ||
| John_chan (John_chan) Senior Member Username: John_chan Post Number: 58 Registered: 08-2006 |
Hi Claire, A good salvaged slate such as Peach Bottom or Buckingham would be in the same general color, and it would be far superior to any of the synthetic slates. Not only that, but you might be able make an insurance claim of some sort since it damaged your gutters during the blizzard. Let me know if you'd like to discuss your options further. John Chan The Durable Slate Co. 1050 N. Fourth St. Columbus, Ohio 43201 (800)666-7445 (504)717-1318 cell www.durableslate.com jchan@durableslate.com | ||
| Claire_homeowner (Claire_homeowner) New member Username: Claire_homeowner Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2010 |
I am a homeowner in Baltimore and feeling a bit overwhelmed in going down the right path about my slate roof. My roof is 60-61 years old and I have performed regular maintenance on it. I think it may be Bangor slate (??); I don’t think it is Peach Bottom. In the last several years, I have seen many roof replacements in my immediate and surrounding neighborhoods – with the vast majority using a slate look-a-like product. My untrained eye has been telling me for the last few years that the life of my slate roof is coming to an end and I got some estimates for synthetic slate almost 2 years ago. But the economy and job situation told me to repair vs. replacement. My next door neighbor had synthetic slate (Certainteed Symphony) installed a year ago and it does look very, very nice. But, I have just been plain uncomfortable about the life and performance of synthetic slate – say in 5-10 years (I don’t care about the 50 year guarantee – I don’t expect to be around then!). My roofer who did my recent repairs told me about salvaged slate, which I had not heard of before. I got The Slate Roof Bible from the library and have been looking and looking on the internet – so much information to digest. And I read in the Bible about restoring vs. replacement, so more confusion. The two back-to-back blizzards we had in Baltimore a few weeks ago caused gutter and roof damage. When the snow and ice finally fell off the back roof, it brought down or broke a lot of the slates along the edge of the roof. I think this event is pushing me to decide about the larger issue rather than investing money in the repair. Obviously I want to make the right decision – financially, getting a good job done and not being taken. Should I get a consultation first rather than risk being told I really need a new roof (when maybe I don’t). I’m sending a pic (the back roof) based on the previous post. (PS-I’ve never written to a Message Board before. I had to make the pic size small to post so I don’t how it will look.)  | ||
| Epl (Epl) Member Username: Epl Post Number: 27 Registered: 06-2009 |
There are tell tale signs of slate deterioration/ failure. In most cases, a good domestic slate will last 100 years (+/-). A good indication of slate failure would be the flaking of the exposed surface of the slate. If you have a piece of this slate, you may also "sound it" or nock on it - a dull thud is an indication that it maybe nearing the end of it's lifespan. You may want to post some photos of the roof (close ups) so we may take a look at what you have there. Thank you, Eric Loema | ||
| Joe (Joe) Senior Member Username: Joe Post Number: 446 Registered: 07-2006 |
Please post a photo. | ||
| R_glick (R_glick) New member Username: R_glick Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2009 |
I am currently under contract to buy a home in Western Massachusetts. Part of the roof is slate, part is cheap asphalt shingles. The slate has been maintained by a local slate roof contractor for about 20 years. We had the home inspected last week and the inspector insisted that the slate is at or near the end of its useful life. Examples: slate shingles have slid off into the valley in one area, ice damage is visible, there has been tarring in the joints in some areas. Are these really clues that the roof is shot, or should we take the slate repair guy's advice that the roof is "fine, it just needs maintenance?" |
