Keep Your Slate Roof Working
Many older Pittsburgh homes still have natural slate, and a leaking slate roof often does not need to come off. The trouble is usually a few broken or slipped slates, worn flashing or a failing box gutter. Our repair division fixes slate, tile, flat and shingle roofs and the box gutters built into them.
- Broken slate repair
- Slipped slates refastened
- Copper flashing
- Box gutter relining
- Free written estimates
- PA HIC# PA174918
What We Repair on Slate Roofs
The slate itself often outlasts the nails, flashing and gutters that hold it in place. Most slate roof leaks start at one of these four spots.
1. Broken Slates
Cracked or missing slates are cut out and new slates slid into place.
2. Slipped Slates
Slates that slide out when old nails rust through are fastened again.
3. Flashing
Worn flashing at chimneys, walls and valleys, including copper work.
4. Box Gutters
Leaking box gutters are repaired, relined or sealed with a coating.
Slate Roof Work Around Pittsburgh
Slate work is careful work. Our crews have built a slate porch roof with copper flashing, relined and coated box gutters, fixed slate roof leaks and removed worn out slate that could not be saved.
- Slate porch roof with copper
- Virginia slate matched to gables
- Lined box gutters on a porch
- Coated box gutters in Bellevue
- Slate roof leak fixed in an hour
- 100 year old slate removed
Why Call Us for Slate Repair
We fix the slate roof you have whenever it can be saved, and we tell you honestly when it cannot be.
Repair Division
Our repair crews handle slate, tile, flat and shingle roofs, plus the box gutters.
Honest Advice
We repair what is failing and suggest replacement only when the slate is worn out.
Photo Updates
Our crews send photos as they work, so you can see every repair from the ground.
Work All Winter
We repair slate roofs through Pittsburgh winters, whenever the weather allows.
What Our Slate Roof Customers Say
Request a Free Estimate
Slate Roof Repair FAQ
Straight answers to what Pittsburgh homeowners ask us most about slate roofs.
Can a slate roof be repaired?
Yes, and most can. The slate itself often outlives the nails, flashing and gutters around it. Broken or slipped slates can be replaced one at a time, and worn flashing or box gutters can be repaired without disturbing the rest of the roof. See our residential roof repair service for how a repair visit works.
What affects the cost of slate roof repair?
We price each slate repair after a free inspection. The biggest factors are how many slates are broken or slipped, the height and pitch of the roof, whether flashing needs new metal, whether box gutters need relining and how hard your slate is to match. Our guide to roof repair cost in Pittsburgh explains more, and we offer financing for larger projects.
How long does a slate roof last?
Depending on the type of slate, a well built slate roof can last 75 to 100 years or more, and hard slates outlast soft ones. The weak points are the parts around the slate: steel nails rust, flashing wears thin and box gutters leak. Replacing those parts as they fail keeps a slate roof going. Read how long slate roofs last and why.
What is the biggest problem with slate roofs?
The slate rarely fails first. The usual problem is everything holding it in place. Old steel nails rust through and let slates slide out, flashing at chimneys and valleys wears thin, and box gutters leak into soffits and walls. Slate is also brittle underfoot, so a careless repair can break more slates than it fixes.
Should I repair or replace my slate roof?
If most of the slates are still hard and sound, repair is usually the better value. Replacement makes sense when a large share of the slates are soft, flaking or sliding off, or when years of tar patches have made repairs unreliable. When slate is past saving, we can install a complete Atlas system of asphalt shingles. See our roof replacement service for how that works.
Can you walk on a slate roof?
Not safely without the right equipment and experience. Slate can crack when weight lands on one spot, and wet or mossy slate is slippery. Slate roofers use ladders, roof hooks and careful footing to avoid breaking sound slates. Homeowners should stay off a slate roof. Our post on caring for slate roofs covers more.
Can you match my existing slate?
Usually, yes. Slate varies in color, size and thickness, so we match replacements to the slates on your roof as closely as we can and talk through the options before work starts. On one historic porch, the homeowners chose a Virginia slate to match the slate on their upper gables. New slate can look slightly different at first, because some colors weather over time.
Do you repair copper flashing on slate roofs?
Yes. Flashing at chimneys, dormers, walls and valleys is where many slate roofs leak, and long lasting copper is the traditional choice on slate. We have installed copper flashing on a new slate porch roof and new copper chimney flashing on a Mt. Washington home. Learn why this detail matters in our post on chimney flashing.
What is a box gutter, and can it be repaired?
A box gutter is built into the edge of the roof and hidden behind the trim, and it is common on older Pittsburgh homes. When the lining fails, water runs into the soffit, fascia and walls. Our repair division repairs and relines box gutters, and in Bellevue we sealed box gutters with a silicone coating. See our gutter services for more.
Will insurance pay for broken slates after a storm?
It depends on your policy and the cause. Slates broken by wind, ice or a falling limb are often treated as sudden damage, while slates that slipped because the nails rusted are usually normal wear. We document storm damage with photos and a report and work with your adjuster. Our guide on whether to call your insurer or a roofer first explains the next step.
Can you repair a slate roof in winter?
Yes. We work all winter, and a leaking slate roof should not wait for spring. Cold slate is more brittle, so winter repairs take extra care, and we schedule around snow, ice and rain to work safely. If a slate falls in January, we will look at it as soon as conditions allow. Read how to prepare your roof for winter.
Do you repair slate roofs in my area?
Yes. From our shop at 500 Perry Highway, we repair roofs throughout Pittsburgh and the North Hills, with recent work in Bellevue, Mt. Washington, Ross Township, Ben Avon, Squirrel Hill and Allison Park. We also serve nearby communities with many older homes, including Sewickley, Fox Chapel, Edgeworth and Bell Acres.
Compare Other Roofing Materials
Slate homes often have more than one kind of roof. See the other roofing materials we install and repair across Pittsburgh.
