Slate roofs in Oxford

How we repair and re-roof slate, step by step

1. Survey the slope. We look at the slipped or cracked slates, the slates around them, the fixings, the ridge, the valleys and the lead at chimneys and dormers.
2. Written quote. You get the repair or re-roof scope in writing, including any lead, valley or ridge work.
3. Slate repairs. A slipped slate is refitted or replaced and secured with a slate hook or copper strap, so the slates above do not need to come off.
4. Valleys, dormers and lead. Valleys are rebuilt and lead flashings at chimneys and dormer cheeks are renewed where they have split or lifted.
5. Slate re-roofs. For a full re-roof, the slopes are stripped, new membrane and battens go on and the slates are laid to the correct lap, as on our Oxford terrace job.
6. Finish and guarantee. The ridge is finished, the gutters are cleared of debris and the work is guaranteed in writing.

Signs your slate roof needs work

• Slates sliding down the slope or lying in the gutter
• White or flaking edges on old slates
• Rusted nails letting several slates go at once
• Lead at the chimney or dormer lifting or split
• Damp on the wall of a dormer room
• A run of slates that look out of line from the street

Slate work we carry out

• Single slate repairs: Replaced slates matched to the size and colour of your roof.
• Natural slate re-roofs: New slates over new membrane and battens, with the old slates kept for reuse where they are sound.
• Slate valleys: Valleys between slopes and dormers rebuilt, as on our Oxford slate re-roof with a new valley between two dormers.
• Lead flashings: New lead at chimneys, abutments and dormer cheeks, as in our gallery photo of a slate roof with new lead flashing.

How long it takes

A handful of slipped slates is a short visit. Lead and valley work is a day or two. A full slate re-roof on a terrace takes longer than a tiled roof of the same size, because every slate is fixed by hand.

What affects the price

• Number of slates to replace or the area to re-roof
• Natural slate or a slate-effect alternative
• Lead work at chimneys and dormers
• Valleys and the number of junctions
• Scaffold on a terrace with front or rear access only

The new roof cost guide covers our pitched re-roof range, and the roof repair cost guide covers repairs.

Aftercare

Look along the slopes from the ground after storms and tell us about any slate out of line. Keep valleys and gutters free of moss so water runs off the slate rather than back under it.