Slate Roof Mistakes - Incorrect Nailing Technique

From SlateRoofWarehouse.com: This is a common mistake made by people with little slate nailing experience when the slates are irregular in thickness. The installers tend to hold the top part of the slate (where the nail holes are) down tight against the roof when nailing. This is incorrect. It's the bottom part of the slate, the exposed face, that should be held down against the roof when nailing. Then the nails are just driven down to the slate. If the top drops against the roof deck after you take you hand off the slate, that's OK. The next course of slate will straighten it out. Watch the video and you'll see what I mean.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• slate roof installation
• slating nails
• slate installation
• slate roofing
• nailing slate

[ukaryannation]

slate holes on top?top holers?all slates must be shoulder holed in england.

[jcjenkins01]

these are shoulder holed

[leeeroy1]

talking shite, the slates are all shapes and thicknesses and need to be sorted. if you held the bottom down while nailing the slate would still kick up when the next course of slates was nailed

[jcjenkins01]

That's the point - it won't kick up - it lays flat.

[drazticb1]

learn the trade buddy its simply from not gradeing the slates!!!

[jonesj699]

the slates should have been graded first! and why only one hole at the top of the slate ?? we in the uk have two holes , set at the edge of the slate so there are no holes in the water margin !! surely , with one hole at the top , you would get bottom edge movement in high winds ??

[brokenarrow2222]

go look for the roofer and sue him.

[hyattpeter1]

most roofers hook the front of the slate and pin with copper nails these days, unless its rag slate which are individuly fitted. this guy is talking crap as slate even when graded will never be uniform when layed as you can't guarrantee the the thickness

[gazads]

ide say was down to thickness or slight bulge on top of slate or even the camber, not poor nail practice as pointed out. Was down to not grading slates properly as for pushing down the bottom of the slate what a load of nonsense jeez, slates are natural stone not man made pushing slate down to nail is simpley making problem worse better to change slate under the one thats kicking

[bertinfiddle]

@jcjenkins01 where are you from? i used to roof in nashville. i have roofed 6 houses on Belle Meade blvd. and many others in that area. check out Will Andrews construction

[claymoreman90]

another cause of slates kicking up is when the rafters are bowed up on a cut roof,when putting up the rafters i crown them , but then pull them down to nail to the purlin which is set about a quarter inch low so theres a slight concave curve on them this lets the slates sit tight at the tail .

[lesdorry]

Theres an art to laying slate takes a bit of practice and a good knowledge of the material gradeing into thickness should be the first job so many slaters dont do this hence kickers, a slate roof done well should look 2 dimensionaly flat,

there should be a beveled edge on the valley cuts facing outwards.

[AnAmericanFan]

If you have a slate roof, get a credible slater with references. My guy maintains most all of the local old stone with slate roof college and institutional buildings along with a just as credible competitor. Both have done so for several decades. You will pay to have someone like this do it right!! It is mostly common sense but does require experience to get good and efficient with no slip ups. Me? Although I have a 58 year old slate roof, I prefer the new rubber slate for new projects.