Maintenance Guides / Exterior & Structure

Inspect slate roof for damage

Difficulty: hardTime: 180 minsEst. Cost: $250 - $700

Why it matters

Slate nails corrode invisibly, causing slates to slip; sections fail suddenly creating dangerous debris.

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How to do it

  • 1

    Set up safe roof access with proper fall protection.

  • 2

    Use binoculars to scan all roof sections for visibly cracked slates.

  • 3

    Look for slates shifted, unaligned, or with gaps.

  • 4

    Gently tap accessible slates to identify loose ones.

  • 5

    Check areas where underlayment is visible (nail failure indicator).

  • 6

    Consult a slate roofing specialist for nail or slate restoration.