A roof is one of the most important structural aspects of any building, whether that’s a home or a business. Your roof protects your home from the elements and helps add stability to the structure. It’s important to choose a roofing material that will provide maximum protection for your home or business.

Slate is one of the most durable roofing materials available today, but like all materials, there is always the chance of damage or deterioration without proper maintenance. While rare, slate can be damaged in extreme circumstances. Here are the various ways that slate may be damaged and what signs to look for to detect any damage to your slate roof.

Hail

Severe hail can damage slate roofs if the hail is large enough. Hail that is larger than 2cm in diameter is considered large hail, which can cause severe damage to homes, cars, and buildings. In fact, in March 2010, a severe hailstorm caused over $1 billion in damage in the city of Melbourne alone.

Most hail won’t harm your slate roof, but if the hail is large enough or lasts long enough, damage can happen. After a hailstorm, it’s always a good idea to visually inspect your roof for any cracks or missing pieces of slate. If you do notice cracks or broken slate, the team at Murnane Slate Roofing can quickly and easily repair your slate roof.

Wind

Extreme winds are another weather event that can damage your slate roof. While it is very difficult to damage slate with wind alone, storms in areas around the coast can produce extremely high wind speeds. If your slate roof is damaged from wind, it may be caused by weaker slate slabs or it could mean that your slate roof was not properly installed.

When a slate roof is installed incorrectly, the entire roof’s structural support can be compromised. Loose slate or misaligned slate can easily become damaged in high-wind situations. We can come out to fully inspect your roof to make sure it will stand up against extreme winds.

Heavy Debris

Debris is one of the most common causes of slate roof damage. Wind and storms can cause heavy debris such as tree branches to fall directly onto your roof. While slate is strong, there are some impacts that are just too much for slate to handle.

Always trim your trees when you see dead branches, as letting your trees overgrow can lead to damage to your home during storms. If you do see heavy debris on your roof, don’t try to remove it yourself. Damaged slate can become loose and slide off of the roof, which is extremely dangerous if you’re walking on your roof by yourself.

Slate’s Durability

While there are a few situations that can damage slate, the great news is that it’s rare to have a weather event so severe that it damages slate. Slate is a naturally resistant material and can protect your home from an overwhelming majority of weather events. You won’t need to worry about rain, average winds, and even fire damaging your slate roof.

Apart from extreme weather, improper roof maintenance is another leading cause of slate roof damage. If you’re not keeping up with your roof maintenance or repairing your roof when damage does occur, it’s likely that even more severe damage will happen in the future.

Murnane Slate Roofing

At Murnane Slate Roofing, we believe in providing our customers with high-quality slate roofs at exceptional prices. We know how important a roof is for your home or business, and we can help you with your installation, repairs, and regular roof maintenance. For more information on maintaining a slate roof or to schedule a service call, contact the team at Murnane Slate Roofing today.

Our team of experienced roofers specializes in all aspects of slate roofing, offering top-notch services such as slate roof installation, slate roof repairs in Melbourne, and the use of high-quality Welsh slate new tiles. From expert craftsmanship to attention to detail, we ensure your slate roof is installed or restored to perfection, guaranteeing long-lasting beauty and durability for your home.