How to remove old slate

Although removing old slate from a roof or any other surface can appear like a difficult undertaking, it can be completed safely and successfully with the correct methods and equipment. Slate was a popular material for many years because of its longevity and durability, but as it ages, it can break easily and become brittle. Knowing how to remove old slate is crucial, whether you’re replacing your roofing materials or fixing damage.

Preparation is the first step in the process. It is imperative that you have the appropriate protective gear. Because working with slate can result in jagged edges and falling debris, this also includes wearing protective goggles, a helmet, and sturdy gloves. To further reduce accidents, a safe working environment must be established, complete with sturdy scaffolding or ladders.

When you’re ready, you have to carefully pry up each piece of slate to remove it. Slates can be removed with less harm to the surrounding materials by using specialist tools like a slate ripper. Here, accuracy and patience are essential to prevent shattering the slate into potentially dangerous pieces.

The next step is appropriate disposal after the slate has been removed. Although slate is a natural material, it may contain materials that should be handled carefully, especially if the slate is old and comes from older buildings. You can make sure you follow environmental regulations by looking up local regulations regarding the disposal of slate.

Removing old slate can be a manageable task if you follow these steps. Taking a methodical approach can help you finish the job safely and efficiently, regardless of whether you intend to replace it with new slate or another material.

Safety precautions as the basis of work

Old roofing covering removal is regarded as high-rise work that carries a higher risk because it is uncertain how solid the support will be beneath your feet:

• All such work is carried out only in dry and preferably calm weather. The fact is that the old roof, in the vast majority of cases, is completely or partially covered with moss, and it is very easy to slip on it;
• Even before starting work, you need to inspect the attic from the inside to make sure that the rafter system is able to support the weight of the workers;
• Asbestos cement itself is very harmful, especially when asbestos cement dust gets on the mucous membrane. Therefore, you need to take care of a good respirator and goggles in advance, and construction gloves and thick overalls will protect you from accidental scratches or cuts;
• note! At the beginning of the 2000s, Europe completely banned the use of building materials containing asbestos due to its increased health hazard.
• If there is a roofing felt lining under the layer of roofing material, it breaks off as the sheets are removed. This is necessary to avoid slipping on it;
• Work shoes must be flat and have elastic soles. Often, craftsmen use soft moccasins or sneakers;
• Don"t forget about the safety of people below. A leaf that accidentally slips can glide quite far. For a one-story building, the fenced safety zone is at least 3–4 m from the wall, and the higher the house, the larger the safety zone;
• Again, to avoid slipping, and also to avoid accidentally breaking the sheets, you should use ladders and ladders that cling to the ridge;
• And finally, a common truth that everyone knows, but only uses through one person – this is mandatory rope belay at heights. Don’t forget that falling even from 3 m can lead to serious fractures, I’m already silent about high heights. note! According to the rules, you cannot do this kind of work alone, someone must insure you, and ideally at least 2 people should be on top and as many on the ground.

How to remove slate

Because of this, there are no instructions for specifically disassembling asbestos-cement slate, so my narrative will be based on my own firsthand experience.

If the roof is old

Slate that is old, cracked, and unfit for continued use is the easiest to remove. By the way, this is an option if even one person can complete the task, even though it is against the rules to do so.

From the necessary tool:

• Hammer;
• Nail puller;
• A meter board with a thickness of about 20 mm;
• Good nippers.

This kind of sheet covering is put in from the bottom up. Every row after that crosses over into the one before it. It would be appropriate to remove it from the ridge top to bottom as a result.

Since the ridge supports the outer sheets, it is disassembled first. The sheet that was attached last in the row should be located behind it; it will be the farthest sheet to the right or left, and you can identify it by the way it is superimposed over the side and bottom sheets.

Slate nails, either straight or rough, are used to fasten sheet material to the sheathing. The distinction is that a nail puller can remove a straight nail but not a rough one. However, I approach it differently if the slate is extremely old.

The leaf will break and it will descend a little after a few hits on the cap. You use all of the nails in this manner. The sheet can be thrown off so that it breaks, or it can be lowered on a rope. It cannot hold anything more. After that, you’ll shovel the debris and discard it.

A nail puller can be used to extract straight nails, but it’s quicker and simpler to cut the heads off of the nails and hammer the remaining portion into the sheathing.

Careful disassembly

The sheets must be carefully disassembled if they are in good condition and can be used again. Since you will break every bottom row by the time you get from the ridge to the bottom, in this instance, disassembly is done starting from the bottom row rather than the ridge. It’s also accurate for some people to start from the second row from the bottom.

In order to extract a straight slate nail, you must position a board beneath the nail puller’s "heel" and then, with assistance, extract the nail. Pulling a rough nail is pointless, so it’s easier to cut off the head right away, take off the sheet, and hammer the remaining nail into the sheathing.

Either a rope or a sled is used to lower the sheet itself. Although the second option is simpler, the sled will require a few long boards underneath. If you install the guides at a steeper angle than about 60º, the sheets will break.

Some tips for using old sheets

Reusing old slate is generally not the best option because, let’s face it, the material is disposable, but there are other choices.

Cover the outbuildings.

Once you’ve taken apart a private home’s roof, you can probably pick out a few dozen standard sheets and use them to cover a shed or garage.

Garden bed.

The sheets can be painted, ground into suitable size, and used to fence off greenhouse or flower beds.

Formwork.

A lot of people suggest creating the foundation’s formwork out of old slate. Although the advice is excellent, the sheets ought to be even rather than wavy.

Supplement to concrete.

A good addition to concrete foundation pouring is broken sheets.

Broken sheets and other construction waste can be used as filler when pouring the foundation for outbuildings, but their proportion shouldn’t go above 30%.

In the middle.

It is possible to construct a frame and fasten old sheets to it, but this type of fence will only last three to five years at most.

Although removing old slate from your roof may seem like a difficult task, it can be completed effectively and safely with the correct methods and equipment. First, make sure you have a sturdy ladder, gloves, and goggles, among other essential safety equipment. Prioritizing safety above all else is imperative when operating at heights.

Start by taking a close look at the roof’s structure and slate quality. This will assist you in organizing your removal procedure and preventing any unforeseen harm. With a hammer and a slate ripper, carefully pry the slates off the roof. To reduce the chance of injury and prevent breakage, proceed cautiously and slowly.

Examine the underlying roof structure for any indications of wear or damage after the slate has been removed. Now is a great time to take care of any problems and fix anything that needs to be fixed before adding new roofing material. Respect local laws regarding the disposal of construction materials when disposing of the old slate.

Last but not least, keep in mind that removing old slate is a physically taxing task that calls for patience and close attention to detail. Never be afraid to seek professional advice if you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. By taking the time to complete the task correctly, you can guarantee a safe and effective project, preparing your roof for its next phase.

With the correct equipment and method, removing old slate from a roof can be a difficult but doable task. Make sure you have the right equipment and are standing firmly to begin with. Using a slate ripper or other similar tool, carefully pry up the nails or fasteners holding the slate in place. To prevent harming the underlying structure, carefully remove each component one at a time starting at the top and working your way down. When disposing of the old slate, recycle as much as you can. You can successfully remove old slate and prepare your roof for new materials with a little perseverance and care.

Video on the topic

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dismantling slate (easy way)

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We remove the SLATE and begin REPAIRING the ROOF of a village house.

🔥REMOVING OLD SLATE INSTRUCTIONS

How to remove slate from a roof