Slate Roof Installation in Orangevale, CA

A slate roof in Orangevale is made of thin pieces of natural stone. The National Park Service brief says to call a structural engineer if the roof timbers show stress. It prefers solid board sheathing under slate. Ask where your slate comes from, because slates differ in quality and in how long they hold up.

• Natural rock. The National Park Service brief calls slate a fine grained rock made from clay and fine silt.
• Stone color. The brief says iron compounds give some slates a red, purple or green color.
• Rows from the eave. The brief says slate was typically laid in horizontal rows starting at the eaves.
• Durability varies. The brief says slates differ in composition, structure and durability, so the source matters.

The brief says properly installed slate can last for many decades, and sometimes far longer. It calls those figures a general guide. A few details decide whether an Orangevale roof reaches that.

• A solid deck. Slate sits on solid sheathing with a water barrier of felt underneath.
• Rust-proof nails. Copper or stainless steel nails outlast plain steel, which rusts before the slate fails.
• Good flashing. The brief calls flashing the weakest point in any roof, and it favors heavy copper.
• Slates that hang free. Nails are not driven tight, so each slate can hang in place.

The deck is checked first, and rotted wood is repaired. Felt underlayment goes over the solid sheathing. Metal goes in at valleys, hips, ridges and eaves.

Slates go on in rows from the eave up, each overlapping the one below. The overlap is called headlap. A low slope needs more headlap than a steep one.

Flashing goes in at chimneys, walls and other joints. The brief says to use one metal throughout to avoid corrosion where metals meet. Winter rain tests every joint on an Orangevale roof, so these details are worth a close look.

1. Slates sit in straight rows with even overlap.
2. No slates are cracked, chipped or sliding.
3. Metal at valleys, chimneys and walls sits snug.
4. The yard has no leftover debris, and the gutters are clear.
5. Rain leaves no damp spots in the attic or on the ceiling.

Once work is done, look at the roof from your yard with the roofer. Check once more after the first heavy storm in Orangevale. Ask for the slate maker's papers and Porter Roofing's workmanship warranty in writing.

Slate needs less upkeep than most roofs, but it still needs attention. Keep Orangevale gutters and roof valleys clear of the oak leaves and twigs that gather there. Have a tree service check branches that hang above your slate roof.

The brief says to keep foot traffic off the roof. Look at it from the ground each spring and fall, and after big storms. Use binoculars for a closer view.

The brief also suggests a professional inspection every five to seven years. For concerns about your slate roof, call (916) 526-3505 or ask for a free estimate.