Slate Roof Discoloration

When cleaning a slate roof don t use chemicals like ammonia or chlorine bleach.

Slate roof discoloration. Before applying the cleaner spray the roof with water to cool it down. Pour it into a pump sprayer strap yourself into a full body harness tie it down and climb to the roof. Buildup of moss and debris on slate roofs hold moisture in the slates that can split them during winter. That ll prevent the cleaner from drying out too quickly.

If the tiles have water stains check for any hairline cracks. Here we give photographs of slate roof conditions including normal wear on slate roofs worn out slate roofs types of slate roof wear and damage and stains or discoloration on slate roofs. Slate is a beautiful and popular medium for fireplaces and patios but it is highly susceptible to stains from water and hard calcified deposited stains under pots and other items. Slate shingles do not lie flat against each other and can easily snap under pressure.

Trees plant debris stains stain patches under trees or nearby may be due to seeds berries leaves and other debris falling and decaying. You can t walk on a slate roof no matter how shallow its pitch. If your slate is looking a little worse for wear do not be alarmed. Take a flashlight and check for water stains on the roof timbers especially after a long period of rain.

Often the damage is hidden under overlapping slate courses and becomes apparent only when the roof starts to leak. Then spray the cleaner onto the shingles photo 1. The remedies for and means of preventing stains on roof shingles are discussed as well. Before replacing a slate roof check for isolated damage corroded and worn flashings leaky gutters poor ventilation in the attic and other possible sources of moisture.

Also slate is slippery when wet. Historic slate roofs should be repaired rather than replaced whenever possible. Moss often grows in the shade of trees too. This slate roofing photo series shows all kinds of roofing slate defects.

Dark black or brown roof shingle stains are often caused by black algae bleed through or extractive bleeding of asphalt dirt soot or organic debris. You can spot a sloped slate roof tile more easily from the ground. You can also do a fair amount of checking at ground level. But there are other roof stain colors and causes.