What this covers
Slate is split natural stone, hung on copper or stainless nails over a solid deck, with the headlap set for the roof pitch so water never reaches the nail holes. The slater sorts slates by thickness, lays them in even courses, cuts them at hips and valleys, and installs copper flashing at chimneys, dormers and walls, since the metal must outlive the stone. Repair is a craft of its own: a slate ripper pulls the nails of a broken slate and the replacement is hooked or nailed and bibbed in place. Careful work shows in straight courses, no face nails and flashing that is soldered rather than caulked.
When to call
- Slates broken or slipped after ice, a falling branch or someone walking the roof.
- Flashing at a chimney or valley that is rusting while the slate is sound.
- A slate roof being sold with the house, which should be inspected by a slater.
- An older home where a worn slate roof is to be replaced in kind.
What to expect
- EvaluateA slater checks the slate's condition, the nails and the flashing to judge how much life is left.
- PlanRepair, flashing replacement or full reslating is proposed with matching stone sourced.
- WorkSlates are replaced individually, or the roof is stripped and relaid over a repaired deck.
- Flash and finishCopper flashing is fitted and soldered and the ridge finished.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
How long does slate last?
Hard slates commonly serve for a century or more; softer slates less. The nails and flashing usually fail first, which is why they are copper or stainless.
Can a broken slate be replaced without reroofing?
Yes. A slater removes the broken piece with a ripper and fits a matching slate. Spot repairs are normal maintenance on a slate roof.
Is synthetic slate the same?
Composite slate imitates the look at a lower weight. It is a different product with its own installation rules and life expectancy.
Related: Tile roofing · Chimney flashing repair · Chimney repair · All roofing and gutters
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.