Category Archives: slate roofing

The Best Ways To Maintain Slate Roofing

December 16, 2024Best Practices, slate roofingRIslate15

Ask any slate roof home owner and they will let you know that slate roofs are more than just making your house look all fancy. These beautiful tiles are also responsible for your home’s longevity. When you take care of these little things, they can last for over a century. This blog will cover the best ways to maintain your slate roof.

Regular Inspections

The first step for maintaining your slate roof is routine inspections. You should make a habit of conducting a thorough inspection of your slates at least twice a year. You will not know if anything is wrong with your roof if you do not check.

What to look for during the inspections?

Cracked or Missing Slates, which can lead to leaks.
Make sure that the metal pieces around the chimney and vents are intact.
Look for leaves and branches that might be stuck in your roof–since these can trap moisture and promote algae growth.

Clean Your Slate Roof

Remove Debris

You will first need to start by making sure that your slate roof is clean, to prevent any damages that can be caused by debris buildup. Take a soft brush or a broom and gently remove any leaves or dirt in your slate. Additionally, try to avoid using a power pressure wash–since it can also dislodge your slate and cause harm to your roof.

Cleaning Solutions

Avoid any abrasive chemicals that can harm your slate’s surface and if you see any moss or algae, only apply the products that are designed to eliminate these growths without damaging your slates.

Prompt Repairs

Addressing Damage Quickly

During your inspection, if you see any cracks or missing tiles, address these issues immediately. These small cracks can usually be repaired with specialized sealants–while large damages might require you to replace them.

Gutter Maintenance

Keeping your gutters clear is vital for preventing any water backup, which can damage your slate roof. By cleaning your gutter regularly, you are making sure that the water is being cleared from your roof properly.

Slate Roofing Services in Smithfield, RI

Rhode Island Slate Roofing is a roofing team Rhode Island residents can trust with their next roofing project! To get started, just contact us!

When Should a Slate Roof Be Replaced or Repaired?

April 23, 2024slate roofingRIslate15

Slate roofs can provide many benefits for a home. For example, even as a slate roof ages, it can still look appealing. Due to this, it can be difficult to notice when a slate roof should be replaced. In this blog, we will point out five common signs that indicate when a slate roof should be replaced.

1. Slate Roof Tiles Lose Original Color

Slate Roof tiles are known for their dark appearance but overtime some tiles can lose their color. When slate roof tiles lose its color, the usually appear reddish-brown or rusty. When this happens to multiple tiles on your slate roof, it is a good idea to consider replacement options.

2. Leaks Through the Slate Roof

Anytime a roof starts dealing with leaks, homeowners should start thinking about replacements. Active leaks will not go away by themselves and leave your roof susceptible to more damage during the next rain or snowstorm.

3. Missing Slate Tiles

A slate roof missing a slate tile or tiles is not ideal. A slate tile can disconnect from a roof for a variety of reasons, and it is best to be proactive when it does. A hole in your roof can lead to more damages if left untreated.

4. Broken Slate Tiles

Similar to the previous point, broken slate tiles should not be ignored. While a roof can still function with broken slate tiles, the break marks will not fix themselves. Over time, broken slate tiles will only get worse so it is best to have the tile repaired as soon as possible. Repairing broken slate tiles will also help your home keep up its “curb appeal”.

5. Excessive Moss Growth

Moss taking over your roof is not ideal. Not only will this hold back the appearance of your roof, it likely signals an underlying problem with your roof. It is best to get rid of the moss on your roof as soon as possible before it becomes difficult to deal with.

Slate Roofing Services in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Slate Roofing is the slate roofing team you can trust in the entire state of Rhode Island. With decades of experience, you can count on us to get the job done right! Contact us today to get started!

Benefits of Slate Roofing In Rhode Island

November 8, 2022slate roofingRIslate15

Slate roofing is considered a premier roofing material and is a great option for Rhode Island homes. Here are five benefits that can come from having slate roofing in the state of Rhode Island.

Long Lifespan

Slate roof tiles are derived from a super-hard rock known as metamorphic rocks. Due to slate roofing being comprised of super strong rock material, slate roofing has one of the longest life expectancies when it comes to roofing material. This is great news for homes in Rhode Island that use slate roofing. With the inclement weather, Rhode Island can see year-round, slate roofing can give homeowners a peace of mind.

Holds Up Against Numerous Types of Weather

Rhode Island is a state that sees different weather in every season. From snow to rain to hail, slates strength can resist absorbing a lot of water. Rhode island is also a state that can experience strong wind storms. Homeowners can expect slate to hold their own in heavy wind.

The Weather Is Unpredictable

Going off the previous point, the weather in Rhode Island is not always so cut and dry. Like the rest of the New England states, the weather likes to march to the beat of its own drum. Fickle weather comes and goes in Rhode Island. Slate roofing can ensure you are well set up no matter what game the weather wants to play.

Requires Less Maintenance Than Other Roofs

Some roof types need to be replaced multiple times during its lifetime. Not slate roofing. Slate roofing is pretty much set in stone once it is installed. Maintenance is still suggested with slate roofs, but not to the levels of other roofing materials.

Multiple Style and Color Options

Slate roofing style and color options can help a home in Rhode Island stand out! Slate roofing comes in a variety of colors and any color choice can make any Rhode Island home look elegant.

Professional Slate Roofing In Smithfield, RI

Rhode Island Slate Roofing can offer the slate roofing services you are seeking throughout the state of Rhode Island. With our certifications, experience and expertise, you will not regret choosing our slate roofing services! Contact us to get started on your slate roof today!

Should I Get A Slate Roof This Year?

May 31, 2022slate roofingRIslate15

With Summer now just weeks away, many homeowners are probably thinking about getting a new roof. If this is the year your home gets a new roof, you will have plenty of options. One option that has become increasingly popular in New England states is slate roofing. Slate roofing is comprised of rocks composed into tile squares. Here are the best reasons to get a slate roof this year.

Slate Roof Is Made To Withstand New England Weather

Fall and Winter in New England can be brutal. There is no way of knowing just how much rain or snow will fall in New England yearly, just that the region will receive a sizeable amount. Due to slate roofing’s composition, a slate roof will hold well well against what mother nature throws at it. Slate roofs are strong, durable and offer a quality piece of mind.

Slate Roof Provides Excellent Value

While slate roofing can be a little pricier than other roofing options, it will all be worth it in the end. Slate roofing is expected to last up to at least 75 years. This is almost twice a long as other roofing materials. When you install slate roofing to your home, you can expect to never have to worry about installing a new roof again. In many instances, slate roofing lasts over 100 years!

Slate Roofing Works Aesthetically

It is no coincidence that slate roofing is annually one of the most popular roofing options. Many homeowners and potential home buyers believe slate roofing is attractive and appealing visually.

Slate Roofing Is An Energy Saver

Looking to cut down on your high electric bills? Slate Roofing can help you accomplish that. Slate roofing’s infrastructure can help keep the air inside your house to stay inside your house. So when you are using cooling in the Summer or Heating in the Winter, you are can count on getting an efficient energy flow.

Professional Roofing Services In Smithfield, RI: Rhode Island Slate Roofing

At Rhode Island Slate Roofing, our professionals can help you install slate roofing this year! For over 15 years now, we have been helping residents install a variety of roofs. If you are interested in getting a new roof, do not hesitate to contact us! We would be happy to help!

Comparing Slate & Clay Tile Roofs

May 11, 2021roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

When it comes to roofing materials, the first thing that comes to mind for most North American homeowner is asphalt shingles. Long known as the standard of the roofing industry, homeowners across the country have trusted asphalt shingles for decades to keep their home’s protected. However, before asphalt shingles were used, there were other materials, some of which are still used today, including slate & clay tiles. While they aren’t as popular as they once were, both of these roofing materials are still fantastic roofing options, used by homeowners who are looking to give their home an extra touch of ambiance. Are you interested in learning a bit about each material and how they compare to one another? Keep reading below to learn more!

Curb Appeal

When it comes to the aesthetic of each roofing material, they are both beautiful options in their own right. Slate roofing is known for it’s rustic-looking, gray slabs, although it is available in a variety of colors. It is widely regarded as being one of the most beautiful roofing options, and an array of color options ensures you can find the right fit for your tastes. Clay tile roofing offers an ever wide array of color options, as the material can be dyed a variety of different colors, as well as a variety of shapes, including Mission, Spanish, Flat, & French styles! This wide variety of colors and shapes ensures you can always find the right option for your home!

Longevity

Next up, let’s discuss the durability & longevity of each material. Both material have enjoyed long histories as some of the world’s most popular roofing materials due in large part to their incredible longevity. In fact, these two materials are well known for being two the longest lasting materials on the market. Clay Tile is durable and weather resistant, and when properly installed, you can expect a clay tile roof to last up to 100 years, and potentially even longer with a bit of preventive maintenance along the way. Slate is even more durable than clay! Slate roofing is essentially impervious to the elements, and the only way it be truly be damaged is with blunt force, such as falling branches. This means that it’s not uncommon to see slate roofs well over 100 years. In fact, if you drive around the New England countryside for long enough, you’re bound to see a slate roof with it’s year of installation built into the pattern of the roof, some of which may date back two or three hundred years!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in installing a new slate or clay tile roof on your home this spring, reach out to our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing today to get started! You can reach out to our team today by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roof replacement needs!

Longest Lasting Roofing Materials

March 24, 2021news, roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

When it comes to roofing materials, they don’t always offer the same benefits. Some materials offer better aesthetic benefits, and some are more durable. It’s important when replacing your roofing material to consider what you value most of of a material. Ultimately, when most homeowners think about what they want out of their roof, the top priority is a roof that lasts for a long time. Interested in learning a bit about which materials tend to outlast the rest? Check out our blog to learn more about which materials last the longest!

Asphalt Shingles

To begin, let’s discuss the most popular roofing material in the country; asphalt shingles. Trusted by homeowners across the country for decades, asphalt shingles are manufactured by an enormous amount of companies, making it easy to find the right shingle for your budget and aesthetic needs. However, with so many different kinds of shingles, it can be tough to know which style to choose, and which style last the longest. The base model of shingle 3-tabs, tend to last between 20-30 years, however, architectural shingles, the most expensive style, usually last between 30 and 50 years.

Clay Tile Roofing

Next up, let’s discuss a material that tends to be very popular in the south-west United States and overseas; clay tile. This material, made out of hardened clay is not only environmentally friendly, it is also incredibly long-lasting. Clay tile tends to last between 40-80 years, meaning for most homeowners, once you install a clay tile roof, you will never need to worry about installing another roof! However, there are are some materials that are ever longer-lasting, which brings us to our last option.

Slate Roofing

When it comes to long-lasting roofing materials, none are better than slate tile. Produced in slate mines, slate roofing is as environmentally friendly as clay tile, fully recyclable at the end of it’s lifespan. However, it is even more durable, and lasts longer than clay tile. How much longer you may ask? Well, a properly installed and maintained slate roof is capable of lasting well over a century. In fact, when driving through the rural New England, it is not uncommon to see slate roofs that are over 200 or 300 years old, at least partially. If you’re looking for a material that will truly stand the test of time, none are better than slate tiles!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in installing a slate roof on your home this year, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! If you’re interested in learning more about our team’s services, reach out today by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roofing needs!

Historic Slate Work at RISD

January 4, 2021historic roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

Our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing recently worked on some of the historic slate roofs at the Rhode Island School of Design! Our team was happy to work with the school and complete the roof restorations on the school’s beautiful buildings!

Our team was thrilled to be involved on this project. We replaced a number of old roofs around the campus, making repairs where we could. The beautiful slate roofs at RISD have withstood rain, snow, even hurricanes, but eventually even slate needs to be repaired!

We visited these beautiful buildings, and examined the roofs for damage, making repairs where possible, and replacing the entire roof in situations where it was warranted.

From minor repairs to full roof replacements, our team was happy to do anything it took to restore these slate roofs! We’re happy we were able to be a part of this project, and we look forward to working with RISD again in the future!

If you need to repair or replace the slate roof on your home, business, or historic building this winter, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist with your needs! Reach out to our team today to learn more about our roofing services.

Most Popular Roofing Materials

July 29, 2020roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

When it comes to roofing materials, there are so many on the market it can sometimes be difficult to decide which option is right for your home. Depending on your aesthetic tastes, durabilty requirments, and budget, there are a variety of options to choose from but which one is truly right for your home? If you’re interested in learning more about some of North America’s most popular roofing options, take a look below for more information!

Asphalt Shingles

To begin, lets start with what is North America’s most popular roofing material by far; asphalt shingles. They have enjoyed a long run as the most commonly installed roofing material in the country, and for good reason. They offer a incredible amount of durability, ensuring that your home will be protected for decades to come. They are also manufacturered by an enormous amount of companies, which means they are extremely accessible, and are available in a wide array of color & style options. If you have a particular aesthetic in mind for your home’s exterior, asphalt shingles are one of the best options for achieving your vision. Furthermore, they are economical due to their widespread manufacturing which has helped to drive the cost of the shingles down. If you’re in search of a roofing option that is durable, beautiful, and inexpensive, you could do far worse than asphalt shingles.

Rubber Roofing

Another popular option among home and business owners is flat, rubber roofing. It is used on buildings without traditionally pitched roofs, making it a bit more of a niche option, but still popular enough to be one of the most widely installed materials. Used more in commercial applications, it is durable, and long-lasting, but not particularly beautiful. This particular option is far more concerned with keeping a building protected than improving it’s curb appeal, which brings us to our next option…

Slate Roofing

If you’re looking for a roofing material that looks beautiful and offers unparalleled durability and longevity, slate roofing is the best option on the market. Slate roofing is the longest lasting roofing material on the market, with a lifespan of well over a century if well-maintained along the way. Furthermore, it is available in an array of natural colors, which some homowners choose to take advantage of by installing a multi-colored slate roof. Slate roofing is capable of withstand nearly anything Mother Nature has to offer, and no material will keep your home protected for longer while maintaining plenty of curb appeal along the way. If you’re looking for one of the best roofing materials on the market, slate roofing is a fantastic choice!

Contact Us Today

If you would like to install any of these roofing materials on your home this summer, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with all of your roofing replacement needs!

Signs Your Slate Roof Needs To Be Replaced

July 29, 2020slate roofingRIslate15

Slate roofing is known for it’s truly exceptional and nearly unmatached durability. It is capable of lasting over a century with proper maintenance and care, which makes it arguably the best roofing option on the market. It is also a beautiful option, helping to boost your home’s curb appeal and resale value, making it a material that provides numerous benefits for your home. If your home has a slate roof that you’re fearing is nearing the end of it’s lifespan but you’re not quite sure how to tell, our team has put together a list of the signs your slate roof is in need of replacing. Take a look below to learn more!

Rot or Moisture Damage

The first sign that your roof will need to be replaced is moisture damage. The easiest way to identify this is to take a look inside your attic for signs of rot. Slate roofing is heavy, and if your roof deck is rotting, it will need to be replaced for the health of your home.

Rusted Flashing

An issue that can plague any style of roofing is rusting flashing. Installed in the valleys of your roof, flashing is used to protect the most vulnerable areas of your roof. However, because it protects your roof from water damage, it is constantly suscepted to it, causing rust over time. If you find rust on your flashing, you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible in order to keep your home protected from inclement weather.

Broken Shingles

While slate roofing is incredibly durable, it is also susceptible to damage just like any other roofinng material. When your shingles are exposed to blunt force damage, they can often break because slate can be brittle. You’ll need to replace any shingles that have been broken, as they will expose your roof to further damage.

While you’re looking for shingle damage you’ll also want to assess whether your roofing system is damaged. Is the shingle damage localized to a particular portion of your roof? Perhaps your roof has structural damage below the surface. Have a roofing professional come and assess the roofing system!

How Extensive Is The Damage

To determine whether the whole roof needs to be replaced, you’ll want to assess how extensive the roofing damage is. If the damage is only to a few shingles in a specific area of the roof that was damaged, you can very likely replace the shingles and get plenty of additional time from the roof. However, if the damage is spread out across the roof in no particular pattern, it simply means that the shingles are aging out and the roof will need to be replaced sooner than later.

Contact Us Today

Interested in learning more about our team’s slate roofing installation services? Our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! You can contact us today by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your slate roof replacement needs!

Slate Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles

June 5, 2020news, roofing, slate roofingRIslate15

When it comes to replacing your home’s roof, there is a number of different roofing options to choose from, all of which offer their own benefits and drawbacks. When it comes to roofing in North America, asphalt shingles have long reigned as the standard of the industry. However, there have always been niche options that many homeowners trust to keep their home’s protected. One such option that our team regularly installs for homeowners in need, is slate roofing. If you’ve been trying to decide which material you should be using for your home’s roof replacement, our team has compared the pros & cons of each roofing material to help inform your decision!

Aesthetics

When it comes to choosing a roofing material that will help boost your home’s curb appeal, there is no better option than a beautiful, slate roof. While asphalt shingles are widely manufactured, and thus available in a wide array of colors, slate roofing offers a classic, sleek, design that will help your home stand out in the neighborhood. If you’re looking for a roofing option that will provide your home with superior curb appeal, slate roofing is one of the best options you can choose!

Cost

If you’re interested in replacing your roof on a budget, asphalt shingles will be the more economical option. Asphalt shingles cost less than slate, partially due to the fact that slate is much more difficult to process and needs to be carefully sourced. That being said, it cost is a concern, asphalt shingles are going to be the less expensive roofing option.

Longevity

If you’re interested in installing a roofing option that will keep your home protected for decades to come, there is no better roofing option on the market than slate. While asphalt shingles are durable and can last for two or three decades if well-maintained, they simply don’t hold a candle to the durability that slate roofing offers. No roofing material is less susceptible to moisture damage than slate, making it a fantastic roofing option for any climate. Well-maintained slate roofing has been known to last for over a century in the right conditions, making it a truly elite roofing option when it comes to longevity.

Environmental Impact

If you’re interested in installing a greener roofing option, slate roofing is much more environmentally friendly than asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are manufactured with the use of fossil fuels, making them an unsustainable roofing option long-term. Slate roofing, however, it simply mined and cut with minimal processing, making it one of the most environmentally friendly roofing options on the market, along with cedar shingles. If you’re looking for a roofing material that will help reduce your home’s environmental impact, slate roofing is a fantastic choice!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more about our team’s roofing options, including asphalt shingles and slate roofing, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your home’s roof replacement needs!