A natural slate roof should last a lifetime. But like every other part of a building it needs a level of maintenance. While it can be a great visual feature on a property, this aesthetic can be spoilt by dirt , moss and algae growth. You may ask- Can I have my Slate Roof cleaned?
Yes, you can ! But we would advise to hire an experienced contractor like ourselves. The work should be carried out without walking on the tiles. As natural Slate is not actually flat the tiles do not sit perfectly comfortably on each other. If a large amount of pressure is applied they can soon crack due to movement.
Another factor to consider is the pressure , volume and angle of water flow a contractor may use. If they operate carelessly water can be forced into the roof space , tiles can be lifted and even cracked. Slate is formed from sedimentary rock , meaning layers. These layers can shear , especially when water within the slate freezes, So the air temperature should be well above freezing when cleaning. This is another reason why removing moss and algae will prolong the life of the slate- moss holds water which expands and contracts in the the freeze / thaw cycle.
A third area of concern are the fixtures and fittings, nails , brackets , flashings etc which are an integral part of the roof structure. Care should be taken not to physically knock these out of place during any cleaning process. As they are metallic , cleaning products and chemicals should be used which are non corrosive to metal.
There are also cheaper cement fibre tiles made to imitate the appearance of natural slate. These can also be cleaned but cleaning them can sometimes reveal many imperfections. This is actually more of a reason to treat them before the moss and algae take hold. There are also coating options for these which we can offer you.
Can I have my Slate Roof cleaned? Yes – Contact us for a quote here
