Should I replace my old slate roof?

rustybucket

Hello, I have a 1900 semi detached house.

The roof looks original, some moss etc and slate has faded.

Our neighbours are contemplating re roofing their roof and have enquired if we want to do ours too. Both of us have been quoted about 5K each. Both properties are a typical Victorian semi detached 3 bed property, average size.

I don't think we have any leaks, however the guttering needs replacing and the wooden facias need attention and there is no felt under the tiles.

We moved into the property last May and the survey we had done stated that the tiles did not look to have delaminated (I don't know what that means anyway)

I'm just wondering what some of you would do? We are here for the long term, would you consider replacing the roof?

Any thoughts welcome.

thebaldwindowfitter

not at £5000 i wouldnt especially if there was no leaks and the slate was in good condition.after all they are only felting and battening and they will re use the slate

BB1984

rustybucket wrote: »

We moved into the property last May and the survey we had done stated that the tiles did not look to have delaminated (I don't know what that means anyway)

Slate is made up of lots and lots of thin layers - delamination is where these layers start to split apart.

BB

MX5huggy

Leave the roof alone, its doing it job perfectly! maybe get the moss cleaned off. get your fasias and guttering sorted this is good preventive maintaince. Please dont replace either with plastic.

rustybucket

Many thanks so far for your opinions. The roofer says he will remove the slates and replace with Spanish slate. The roofer did another job next door last year and it does look good, but I think I am now thinking that it may be money we can spend on other projects.

Just checked the loft while raining and all battons appear dry and no leaks.

latecomer

Well you know what they say : if it aint broke......

thebaldwindowfitter

so in otherwords if there is nothing wrong with your slates hes charging you £5k to replace your slates and then hes going to sell your slate back to the roofing suppliers i will bet

markleedsuk

Roofer i do some work with says as a guide usually 50% of the origional slate can be reused and the rest would need to be new. Dont know if that helps any but im sure a roofer will be along shortly.

Contains_Mild_Peril

I think it's usually best to keep original features on an older property unless there's a good reason to replace them, but you can probably take this opportunity to get a good price for cleaning and maintenance work if they're doing your neighbour's roof anyway.

27col

Are they proposing to replace the slates with modern concrete tiles. Because, if so, the roof structure will need strengthening to take the extra weight. If they are just removing and replacing the existing slates then this would not be necessary.

rustybucket

No also slate tiles. I have been round to my neighbour and discussed further with him, some of his slates are in a very bad way and very brittle and he has had many leaks in his loft. Confused to say the least