Slate roof repairs in Newcastle make up a big part of our work in Jesmond, Gosforth, Heaton and the older streets across the city. Natural slate can last for generations, but the nails, lead and mortar that hold a slate roof together do not last forever. When they start to fail, the problems tend to follow a familiar pattern.
Here are the six most common problems we find on Newcastle slate roofs, what causes them and the best way to fix each one.
Why slate roof repairs in Newcastle are so common
A large share of Newcastle’s housing was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The terraces and villas of Jesmond, the Edwardian streets of Gosforth and the long terraces of Heaton were mostly roofed in natural slate, with tall chimney stacks, bay windows, dormers and lead-lined valleys.
Many of these roofs are now well over a hundred years old. The slate itself is often still sound, but the original nails have rusted, the lead has worn thin and the mortar has cracked. That is why most slate roof repairs in Newcastle are about fixings and detailing rather than the slates themselves.
6 common problems and the best fixes
1. Slates slipping out of place
The most common problem by far. When the original nails rust through, slates slide down the roof one at a time. A few slipped slates can be refixed securely. If they are slipping all over the roof, the nails have failed across the whole roof and re-slating is usually the better long-term fix.
2. Cracked or flaking slates
Some slate cracks or flakes with age and frost. Individual slates can be replaced, and where possible we match the size, colour and thickness of the existing slate so the repair blends in.
3. Worn lead valleys and bays
Lead valleys, bay roofs and dormer cheeks are where many leaks start on older Newcastle houses. Old lead splits, thins and lifts. The best fix is to replace the lead properly. We carry out Code 4 and Code 5 lead work, and you can read more on our lead work page.
4. Chimney flashing and pointing
Tall Victorian stacks catch a lot of weather. Cracked flaunching, loose pots, failed pointing and lifted flashing all let water in around the chimney. See our chimney repairs page for the work we carry out.
5. Loose ridges and verges
Mortar-bedded ridges and verges crack over time and can lift in high winds. They can be re-bedded, or fitted with a dry ridge and verge system that holds them mechanically and needs no repointing.
6. Roofs covered in repair clips
If a roof is covered in metal clips from past repairs, it is a sign the fixings have failed across the roof. More clips will not solve it. This is usually the point where re-slating gives better value than another round of slate roof repairs.
Repair or re-slate? How we decide
We always inspect the whole roof before recommending anything. If the slates are sound and the problem is local, a repair is usually the right answer. If nails have failed across the roof, the underlay has perished, or the battens are rotten, re-slating is often the more cost-effective choice over the next twenty years and beyond.
Where re-slating makes sense, we strip the roof, fit a new breathable membrane and battens, and install natural slate to BS 5534. New roofs come with a 10-year workmanship guarantee. Read more on our new roof page.
Slate roof repairs in Newcastle conservation areas
Parts of Jesmond, Gosforth and other areas of the city are conservation areas, and some properties are listed. That can affect which materials are suitable. You can check with Newcastle City Council, and Historic England has useful guidance on looking after older buildings. We will talk you through suitable slate and lead details before we quote.
Signs you need slate roof repairs in Newcastle
- Slates on the ground or in the gutter after windy weather
- Damp patches on upstairs ceilings or around the chimney breast
- Leaks along a valley or above a bay window
- Daylight showing through the roof when you look in the loft
- Loose or missing ridge tiles
Look from the ground or from inside the loft only. Wet slate is very slippery, so please do not go on the roof yourself.
Why choose Legge Roofing
We are a locally owned roofing contractor based in North Shields, with 15 years’ experience across Newcastle and North Tyneside. Every job is done by our own fully insured team, never subcontracted, with £5 million public liability cover. You get a free survey with photographs of any defects and an itemised written quote, usually within 48 hours.
We carry out slate roof repairs in Newcastle across Jesmond, Gosforth, Heaton, Sandyford, Fenham and the city centre. Find out more about roofing in Newcastle, or see our recent work.
Book a free slate roof survey
If your slate roof is showing any of these problems, call Legge Roofing on 0191 245 9915 or request a free quote online. We will inspect the roof properly and give you honest advice on whether to repair or re-slate.