How To Start Laying A Slate Roof

Secure the underlayment with nails that are at least 2 inches from the edge of the roof.

How to start laying a slate roof.

To install slate roof tiles correctly you ll need to stagger each course so the proper headlap which should be at least 3 inches for moisture protection is established. If your roof has a steep slope install the battens next which are thin strips of material that run horizontally along the roof. Positioning the battens laying the slates cutting fixing verges ridges illustration. Starting a slate roof the right way is the key to installing a good looking and long lasting slate roof and there are a number of steps that you should follow.

Working on a roof involves working at height even on a bungalow so always use scaffolding or other stable platform never use just ladders. Roofing with slates. Slating terms and phrases if you are not a seasoned roofer some of the terms used for slates batten spacing or overlapping of the slates can add to the confusion. You need to ensure that you take the necessary precaution in order to protect the materials when laying slates on a new roof or replacing a slate on an old roof.

3 before you start do your homework. To begin remove the old roof tile. How to slate a roof http www fixmyroof co uk videos and guides pitched roof slate a roof this video shows you the basics of how to set out a roof for slat. The reason the starter course is laid face down is because the drip edge of the starter slate then merges flush with the drip edge of the first course of slate see photo below.

Understand headlap read about the common mistakes people make when installing slate roofs. Read about how to install starter courses take a look at common contractor errors watch some video clips read about drip edges and cant strips if necessary look at some of the nuances that may be pertinent to your installation such as cleats on aprons cleats on. Start from the bottom of the roof and work your way up staggering the joints between courses by a minimum of 1 inches. All other slates on the roof are installed with the face up in order to expose the beveled edges of the slate the face of the slate is the side that shows the beveled edge the back doesn t.

Much like laying a course of bricks or building a foundation any errors that you make in begining will be magnified by the time you get to the end of the project. When you are working on a roof you must ensure that there is sufficient protection around the roof such as scaffolding.