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Slate roofing in Croydon for Victorian terraces and villas
Is the slate roofing on your Croydon or Streatham terrace slipping, cracking or leaking at the valley? You pay Apex on completion, once the new slate is on and the site is clean.
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Expert Roofer VerifiedEvery check passed, see our profileWhat a tired slate roof looks like
Old slate fails in a few predictable ways.
Slipped slates in rows
Slates hanging a few inches lower than their neighbours have lost their nails. On a roof over a century old, it is the fixings giving up, not the stone.
Tingles all over the slope
Strips of lead or copper holding slates up show the roof has been patched many times. A few are fine. Dozens across a slope mean the nails have failed.
Leaking back valley
Many terraces have a valley where the main roof meets the back addition. Old lead there splits and lets water pour into the back bedroom.
Slates flaking in layers
Some cheaper slates delaminate, splitting into layers and going soft at the edges. Once that starts, they crack in frost and slide off.
Crumbling ridge and hips
Clay or slate ridges bedded in old lime mortar lose their grip after decades. Loose ridge pieces let water straight into the top of the roof.
Slating the right way, by hand
Patrick starts with a close look at the slopes, the valleys and the loft, and shows you photos of the slipped slates, the rusted nails and the state of the battens. Sometimes the answer is a careful repair with matching slate. When the roof has lost its fixings across the board, the answer is a re-slate, and he tells you so with the evidence in front of you.
A re-slate strips the old covering down to the rafters. New breathable membrane goes on, then treated battens gauged for the slate size, then each slate is nailed twice at the correct lap. Valleys are relined in lead or a dry valley, and the ridge goes back on mechanically fixed. Natural slate is cut and holed by hand around chimneys and abutments, so your street keeps its period look.
- Natural slate or slate-effect, your choice
- Two nails per slate at the correct lap
- Valleys relined and lead reinstated
- Matching slate for repairs
- Old slate and battens taken away
Slate roofs from Croydon to Streatham
Streatham's big Victorian terraces carry some of the finest slate roofs in south London, and some of the most worn, with deep valley gutters and tall chimney stacks. Closer to Croydon, Thornton Heath, South Norwood, Norbury and the older streets near the town centre are lined with slate-roofed terraces from the same era. Much of that slate went on over a century ago on iron nails that have since rusted. The A23 runs straight between the two, and Patrick covers every street along it.
Natural slate or slate-effect?
Both give you the slate look, but weight, lifespan and price set them apart.
Natural slate
Quarried stone split into thin slates. It lasts for generations, weathers well and suits any period house. It takes more skill to lay, so it costs more than man-made options, and it is the one to pick in a conservation area.
Best for: Period houses and conservation areas
Slate-effect tile
Man-made slates shaped and coloured like the real thing. They cost less, lay faster and weigh little. From the street they pass for slate, though close up the edges and texture give them away.
Best for: The slate look for less
Repair with reclaimed slate
When most of the roof is sound, a handful of slipped or broken slates can be swapped for reclaimed slate that matches the colour and size of yours, fixed on tingles or new nails.
Best for: Sound roofs with a few slipped slates
Slate roof owners on the finished result
Recomend to anyone needing roof renewal or repair have a new salte roof done with natural slate and couldnt be happier I picked apex roofing and guttering ltd to do it for me
Apex roofing and guttering Ltd came and gave me a free quotation on a new roof once I match several quotes I decided to go ahead with Apex. They kept me updated throughout the process showing photos and explaining what’s happening the process was so easy for me highly recommend to anyone needing work done
Had a leak in my lead flashing around my chimney wanted to get it renewed Patrick came with he's team of men and carried out work involving all new code 4 lead flashing since then never seen a leak very happy with the work
Highly recomend apex roofing and guttering ltd patrick came gave me a quote to get repairs done couple weeks later once agreed we aranged a time showed up on time and carried out work as promised highly recomend
Had a problem with my flat roof patrick came and found the solution made it very easy along the way showing me photos and excepting payment on completion highly recomend apex roofing and guttering ltd
Had a problem with my guttering patrick came cleaned and sealed all my gutter for the price aggreed on the phone no extra or hidden fees highly recommend to anyone needing guttering repairs
What drives the price of a slate roof
Slate is priced on the type of slate, the size of the roof and the detail on it. Natural slate costs more than slate-effect, and larger slates cover ground faster than small ones. Valleys, hips, dormers and chimneys all need cutting and lead, which adds labour. Terraces need scaffold, and in a narrow street access plays a part. Patrick measures the roof on the survey and agrees one price with you before a single slate is lifted.
What sets the price
- Natural slate or slate-effect
- Roof area and slate size
- Valleys, hips and dormers
- Leadwork at chimneys and walls
- Scaffold and street access
- Battens and membrane replaced
Slate roofs questions
How long does a natural slate roof last?
A well-fixed natural slate roof lasts 100 years or more, and good slate outlasts several sets of nails. The stone is rarely what fails first. It is the iron nails, battens and valleys that give out, which is why so many Victorian roofs in south London are slipping now. A re-slate with new fixings resets the clock.
Is slate-effect as good as natural slate?
Slate-effect is a solid, cheaper choice, but it does not last as long as natural slate. Man-made slates are lighter and faster to fit, which brings the price down, and from the pavement most people cannot tell the difference. Natural slate wins on lifespan and on looks close up. Patrick prices both on the survey so you can choose.
Can you mix new and old slates on a roof?
Yes, for repairs, as long as the new slate matches the old in size, thickness and colour. Reclaimed slate is often the best match on a Victorian roof because it has weathered the same way. For a whole slope, fresh slate throughout gives a cleaner finish. Patrick checks the match before any go on.
Why are slates slipping off my roof?
Slates slip because the nails holding them have rusted through, a problem known as nail fatigue. Iron nails on Victorian roofs corrode over a century, and each slate is then held by almost nothing. Frost and wind finish the job. One or two can be refixed, but widespread slipping means a re-slate with new fixings.
Do I need permission to re-slate a house in a conservation area?
Re-slating like for like in natural slate is normally fine, but swapping to concrete or slate-effect tiles in a conservation area can need consent. Croydon has a number of conservation areas, and some streets carry an Article 4 direction that controls roof materials. Check with the council's planning team first, and Patrick will quote for the covering that keeps you in line.
Slates slipping on your terrace?
One Google reviewer wrote that they "have a new salte roof done with natural slate and couldnt be happier", and a free quote is the first step to yours.