Correct laying of slate on the roof with your own hands

Slate is a material of choice for roofing because of its strength, allure, and historical allure. Slate roof installation is a satisfying project that can improve the appearance and lifespan of your house. Even though it might seem difficult at first, you can save money on professional installation by doing the laying of slate yourself with the correct advice and preparation.

Slate roofs, renowned for their weather resistance and inherent beauty, have been a feature of homes for centuries. Knowing the proper methods for laying slate is essential, whether you’re starting from scratch or replacing an old roof. This post will walk you through every stage of the procedure, from properly securing each slate tile to preparing the roof surface.

Slate, in contrast to certain contemporary roofing materials, needs to be handled carefully and installed precisely to guarantee a waterproof and aesthetically beautiful finish. By adhering to tried-and-true techniques and paying close attention to little details like overlap and nail placement, you can create a roof that enhances the exterior of your house while providing long-lasting protection.

MAIN ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SLEATE

Among this roofing material’s benefits are:

  • non-flammability,
  • ease of installation,
  • strength and cheapness,
  • long service life (35–40 years).

Slate roofs are long-lasting, attractive, and suitable for any type of building.

  • relatively heavy weight: more powerful rafter structures should be made,
  • fragility: may break if transported or handled carelessly.

TYPES AND SIZES OF WAVE SLIATE SHEETS FOR ROOFING

Slate sheets are made in waves of six, seven, and eight. The typical sheet dimensions are 1750 mm in length, 150 or 200 mm in wave pitch, and a width that varies according to the number of waves (see figure). The thickness ranges from 5.8 to 7.5 mm.

For 7 and 8-wave sheets, the height of the ridge (wave) is 40 mm, while for 6-wave sheets, it is 54 mm.

FEATURES OF RAFTER SYSTEMS FOR SLIATE ROOFS

REINFORCED LATERING

A 60×60 mm bar and rafter boards that are 60 mm thick or more are used to fasten the slate to the roof sheathing. This is because the rafter system is carrying a greater weight of roofing material. The slate sheet rests on at least two of the sheathing bars, with a 15-centimeter margin on each side, thanks to the spacing between them.

THE SMALLER THE SLOPE ANGLE, THE STRONGER THE FRAME

Slope angles of at least 22° are advised for slate roofs. The angles of inclination for gable and single-pitch roofs may be smaller, but reinforced sheathing is still necessary. The figure illustrates the reinforcement principle for various slope angles. Particularly if the slate is intended to insulate the roof, a vapor barrier is positioned beneath it.

Crucial! All wooden structures need to be treated once or twice with an antiseptic that has fire-retardant qualities before slate is laid. This will prolong their service life and prevent them from rotting or catching fire.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE QUANTITY OF SLATE FOR A ROOF

It’s crucial to accurately estimate how much slate will be needed for the roof when doing the work yourself to ensure you have enough supplies and don’t incur extra costs. A person with a basic understanding of geometry should not have any trouble with such calculations. Measure the length and width of the house as well as the slope’s angle of inclination if the roof has one or more slopes.

Based on the dimensions of the roof, calculating slate is simpler and can be done as follows:

  • determine the size of the roof along the eaves, divide the resulting distance by the size of the sheet width and add 10% to obtain the number of sheets in one row;
  • measure the distance along the slope from the ridge to the cornice and divide it by the height of the slate sheet, get the number of rows, increase the result by 13% for the overlap;
  • the resulting numbers of rows and sheets in one row are multiplied and the number of slate sheets per slope is obtained. If the roof is gable, the result obtained is doubled.

The area of the slopes on hipped roofs is computed geometrically (the area of the trapezoid and triangle, as seen in the figure), divided by the area of the slate sheet, and then 15% is added.

Crucial! When purchasing slate, you ought to consider its integrity. Paper or film covering must be used for slate sheets. It is recommended to store sheets on a level, horizontal surface that is shielded from sunlight and moisture.

PREPARATORY WORK FOR ROOF INSTALLATION

Assemble all required equipment and a level surface to cut and drill holes in the slate sheets before starting the installation process. The space should allow one to approach the sheet from any direction.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

A hammer, slate nails or self-tapping screws, a drill, an angle grinder or hacksaw, a respirator, paint for painting sections, a stepladder, a ladder, ropes, and metal hooks are all you’ll need to install a slate roof.

HOW TO LIFT SLATE ON A ROOF

How to lift slate onto the roof is a common concern for those who intend to do their own roofing. Two hooks and a rope are used for this. Two hooks on the underside of the sheet are attached with a rope. A slate sheet and a rope are hauled onto the roof. If two or three people are doing the work, you can feed sheets by hand using a stepladder.

PREPARATION OF SLATE SHEETS

If needed, unpainted sheets can be painted with acrylic, water-dispersion, or alkyd paint before being laid over a slate roof. Alternatively, they can be impregnated with a composition that repels water. In the winter, the paint helps snow roll off the slate more easily by sealing microcracks and smoothing the surface.

There should be a tiny space between the asbestos cement and the nail because slate can distort depending on the surrounding temperature. It is created by enlarging the holes in the slate ridge by 2-3 mm beyond the nail’s diameter. If it is more convenient, you can drill these holes at the location where the sheets are laid.

LAYING SLATE ON A ROOF, HOW TO DO IT CORRECTLY WITH YOUR OWN HANDS

Installing the gutter comes before starting any roofing work. Starting with the bottom row, slate sheets are put down.

HOW TO PLACE SLATE ON A ROOF

  • In order for the sheets to lie flat, a cord is pulled along the cornice at a distance of 15 cm from the edge and the sheets are leveled along the cord;
  • lay the roofing material staggered with an overlap of 1–2 waves, sheet on sheet, 15–20 cm row on row (the size depends on the angle of inclination of the slope). The laying order is as follows: first the bottom 3-4 canvases, then above them 2-3 second rows, above the second row – 1-2 canvases of the third row, then to each row, starting from the bottom, add one canvas;
  • the overlaps of the slate waves should be in the prevailing wind direction so that the wind does not blow under the slate and does not try to lift it.

With a hacksaw or grinder, sheets are cut. To stop the asbestos from crumbling, the sections are painted over.

Take note! When drilling and sawing slate sheets, especially with a drill and grinder, you must wear a respirator. It is advised to wet the cutting area in advance. The dust from asbestos cement poses health risks.

HOW AND WHAT TO ATTACH SLIATE TO THE ROOF

The strength of the roof and the integrity of the slate itself during operation both depend on the roofing material sheets being attached to the sheathing. Considerations include increased loads on the roof during the winter and seasonal deformations and movements of slate and rafter systems.

SLATE NAILS AND SCREWS

Using self-tapping screws or slate steel nails with a 14 mm head diameter, the slate on the roof is secured to the sheathing. A metal washer and an elastic gasket (made of rubber or another material) keep the slate and nail head apart.

HOW TO NAIL SLATE SHEETS

A standard hammer is used to hammer slate. To ensure that the slate doesn’t move, the nails are driven partially into a pre-drilled hole. Eight-wave slate is driven from the joint into the second and sixth waves, and seven-wave slate into the second and fifth waves, respectively. The sheet is fastened to the sheathing with two vertical nails. There is a minimum of 15 cm separating the nail from the sheet’s edge. Go to the ridge in this manner.

Crucial! If the nails are long, it is not advised to bend them from the side of the sheathing. Cutting them to the appropriate length is preferable.

DEVICE OF ADJUSTS TO THE CHIMNEY

If the home has a stove, a chimney bypass needs to be set up on the roof. Depending on whether waterproofing is present or not, the adjacent layout for a chimney on a roof slope varies. If waterproofing is present, an adjacent steel sheet is installed beneath the slate and film; if not, the installation is made so that the lower edge of the steel sheet is above the slate and the upper edge is under it. The figure displays the adjoining device’s diagram.

Even do-it-yourself enthusiasts can successfully install slate on their roofs with proper planning and attention to detail. Making sure that slate is installed correctly will improve your home’s appearance while also strengthening its structure and resistance to weather.

It’s important to properly prepare the roof surface before starting to lay slate. This entails checking the roof for damage, making sure the battens and purlins are aligned correctly, and taking care of any underlying problems like rot or leaks. Proper adhesion and long-term weather resistance of slate tiles are guaranteed by a sturdy foundation.

Keep an eye out for the overlapping pattern when laying slate tiles. It is best to overlap slates in order to minimize water infiltration and guarantee proper drainage. The integrity of the roof and the avoidance of possible leaks depend on the correct alignment and spacing between the tiles.

The secret to getting a professional finish is using the right equipment and supplies. Make sure you have high-quality slate tiles, the right kind of screws or nails, and tools like a slate cutter and hammer. Taking care when installing your roof not only improves its appearance but also increases its lifespan.

It is advised to periodically check the roof for any indications of damage or shifting tiles after laying slate. Timely fixes can avert later, more serious problems. Maintaining your roof on a regular basis will guarantee that it is strong and appealing for many years to come. This includes clearing away debris and looking for loose tiles.

We’ll walk you through the entire process of installing slate on your roof step-by-step in our guide. We’ll cover all the bases, from prepping the roof surface to selecting the appropriate tools and materials. This article will assist you in understanding the necessary methods and advice for a successful installation, regardless of whether you’re installing slate for the first time or repairing an existing roof. Learn how to install a long-lasting, gorgeous slate roof that will improve the appearance and usability of your house by following along.

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Fedor Pavlov

Interior designer, author of books on residential design. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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