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Looking at a 1920's house in a better part of Atlanta, GA. Assuming it is in decent shape, would you consider a slate roof an advantage or not. I sort of worry that if anything goes wrong it will be expensive to fix, and since there are relatively few slate roofs around here, whoever may fix it may not do it right. Or, would you consider that if you are buying an older house there are bigger worries.
My last house had slate roof, house was built in 1930. And it always leaked. I've had roofers come by to seal up nail holes and other spots. I had difficult attic access, so some leaks weren't noticeable until the ceiling was leaking. While they are "supposed" to last forever, the cost of maintaining and replacement is rather high. In 2006, the quote for complete replacement was 10k.
My last house had slate roof, house was built in 1930. And it always leaked. I've had roofers come by to seal up nail holes and other spots. I had difficult attic access, so some leaks weren't noticeable until the ceiling was leaking. While they are "supposed" to last forever, the cost of maintaining and replacement is rather high. In 2006, the quote for complete replacement was 10k.
Recently saw a quote for roof replacement that was $10K using architectural shingles. I imagine slate would be a lot more than that now.
I think it really depends on the complexity of the roof.
A simple "Up and Over" roof, without a lot of detail should be a breeze to maintain.
A cut up roof with valleys, roof planes intersecting walls, slope transitions, and many penetrations is going to be more problematical, whether covered with slates, shingles, shakes, etc.
And, if the roof has leaked repeatedly during its history, you have to be sure that the structure has been undamaged or properly repaired.
The 1880s house I grew up in still has its slate roof. My Dad would have to repair occasional leaks and replace some slates. The only difficulty was replacing broken slates -- finding matching ones. He kept his eye out for someone that was replacing an old slate roof and was able to get a stockpile of slates for future use.
If the neighborhood you're looking at has many houses with slate roofs, I'm sure that there's someone local who specializes in slate roof maintenance/repair -- find out who and keep their name handy just in case.
The 1880s house I grew up in still has its slate roof. My Dad would have to repair occasional leaks and replace some slates. The only difficulty was replacing broken slates -- finding matching ones. He kept his eye out for someone that was replacing an old slate roof and was able to get a stockpile of slates for future use.
If the neighborhood you're looking at has many houses with slate roofs, I'm sure that there's someone local who specializes in slate roof maintenance/repair -- find out who and keep their name handy just in case.
I don't have a slate roof, but have about 60 slates stacked behind the house.
They are my retirement plan....
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