Slate and leadwork
Slate roofing and traditional leadwork
New slate roofs, re-roofs and repairs in Welsh, Spanish and reclaimed slate, with the lead dressed by hand around chimneys, valleys, dormers and bays.
Natural slate
Slate roofs, new and old
Natural slate is the longest-lasting roof covering there is. We lay it the traditional way, nailed or hooked to the right gauge for the pitch.
- New roofs
- Full slate roofs on new builds, extensions and dormers
- Re-roofs
- Stripped to the rafters, new membrane and battens, then re-slated
- Repairs
- Slipped, cracked and missing slates replaced to match
- Fixing
- Copper nails or stainless steel hooks, to suit the slate and the pitch
Choosing slate
Welsh, Spanish or reclaimed?
All three are natural slate. The right one depends on the house, the budget and what the roof needs to match.
| Slate | What it's like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Welsh slate | Quarried in North Wales. Very hard-wearing, often lasting well over a hundred years. The most expensive option. | Period and listed buildings, and roofs that need to match |
| Spanish slate | Good-quality natural slate at a lower price. It needs to come from a reputable quarry. | Most new roofs and re-roofs |
| Reclaimed slate | Salvaged from old roofs and graded before reuse. Already weathered, so it blends straight in. | Repairs and extensions on older houses |
Re-roofing
When repairs aren't enough
When slates are slipping all over a roof, it's usually because the nails have rusted through, known as nail sickness. Past a certain point, re-roofing costs less than chasing repairs.
- Strip
- Old slates taken off, with the sound ones saved for reuse
- Timbers
- Rafters checked and repaired where needed
- Membrane and battens
- New breathable membrane and treated battens
- Slate
- Salvaged slate, made up with new or reclaimed to match
- Finish
- New lead flashings, ridge and roofline as needed
Leadwork
Traditional leadwork
Most roof leaks start at the lead, not the slates. Each detail is dressed by hand in lead of the right thickness, given as its code.
| Detail | Lead | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney flashings | Code 4 and 5 | Stepped flashings, aprons and back gutters seal the chimney to the roof |
| Soakers | Code 4 | Sit under each slate where the roof meets a wall |
| Valleys | Code 5 | Carry the water where two slopes meet |
| Dormers and bays | Code 5 | Cheeks, tops and bay roofs, with rolls and drips |
| Flat lead roofs | Code 6 or 7 | Laid in bays with rolls and drips to allow for movement |
Where lead theft is a risk, we can fit lead-free alternatives instead.
Repairs
Common slate roof problems
What we see most often on slate roofs, the signs to look out for, and how each one is usually put right.
Nail sickness
Slates slipping all over the roof, not just in one place.
A re-roof, reusing the sound slates.
Slipped or cracked slates
A gap in the roof, or pieces of slate in the gutter.
Matching slate fitted and held with a copper tingle.
Failed flashings
Damp around the chimney breast or on a wall below the roof.
New lead flashings, dressed and fixed properly.
Loose ridge
Ridge tiles rocking, or mortar washed out of the joints.
Re-bedding, or switching to a dry-fix ridge.
Moss build-up
Thick moss holding water and washing into the gutters.
Cleaning and treating the roof, then clearing the gutters.
Questions
Slate and lead questions
Why are my slates slipping?
On an older roof it's usually the nails rusting through. A few slipped slates can be refixed, but if it's happening across the whole roof, it's time to talk about a re-roof.
Do I need permission to re-roof in slate?
Replacing like for like rarely needs permission. Listed buildings, and changes of material in a conservation area, can need consent, so check with your council first. We can help with what they need to know.
How long does leadwork last?
Properly dressed lead of the right code can last for decades. Most failures come from lead that's too thin, poorly fixed or laid in pieces that are too long.
Slate or leadwork needing attention?
Book a survey and we'll show you exactly what we find, with photos.