Slate roofers in Pittsburgh, PA
Good slate roofers save roofs that others would tear off. Pittsburgh has thousands of old slate roofs, and many of them have decades left. Slate usually outlasts the nails and flashing holding it together, so careful repairs can keep a good roof going for far less than replacing it.
Rough guide: Usually $600 to $2,500
Why old slate roofs fail
Good slate can last 75 to 100 years or more, while the iron nails holding it often rust out first. When a nail lets go, the slate slides out of place and opens a gap. Valleys and flashing fail in the same way, because that metal has a shorter life than the stone around it.
So most slate roofs don't need replacing. They need someone to swap out the slipped and broken pieces, renew the flashing and valley metal and keep tar off the roof. Tar is the enemy here: it traps water and makes every future repair harder.
How we repair slate
We work from ladders and hook ladders so we are not walking on the stone, because slate cracks under careless feet. Each broken piece gets cut out with a slate ripper, and a matching slate goes in on a copper nail or slate hook. We use salvaged or new slate chosen to match the color, size and thickness of what is on your roof.
- Replace slipped, cracked and missing slates
- Rebuild valleys in copper or other long-life metal
- Replace chimney, wall and dormer flashing
- Remove old tar patches where it is safe to do so
- Repair ridge details and slate at gable ends
- Honest report on how much life the roof has left
Repair, restore or replace
If only a small share of your slates are bad, keep the roof. When soft, flaking slate shows up across every slope, the stone itself is at the end of its life. At that point you can choose new natural slate, a synthetic slate or a new architectural shingle roof. We will give you photos, a slate-by-slate view of the condition and straight prices so you can decide.
If your home is in a City of Pittsburgh historic district, exterior roofing changes can need review first. Ask us before you plan any change in material.
How the work goes
- Ground and ladder check
We look at the slate from ladders and the attic without walking on it.
- Condition report
You get photos and a clear view of how much of the roof is worth saving.
- Matched repairs
We source slate to match, then set it with copper nails or hooks.
- Flashing and valleys
We renew the metal that has a shorter life than the stone.
Common questions
How long does a slate roof last?
Good hard slate can last 75 to 100 years or more, and softer slate less. The nails and flashing usually need attention long before the stone does.
Can slate roofs be repaired?
Yes. Individual slates can be cut out and replaced, and valleys and flashing can be rebuilt, without replacing the whole roof.
Can you walk on a slate roof?
You shouldn't. Slate can crack under foot, and it is slippery. Roofers who know slate work from ladders and hooks to keep their weight off it.
How much does it cost to repair a slate roof?
Most repairs run $600 to $2,500, depending on how many slates need replacing, the height of the roof and access. Rebuilding a valley or chimney flashing costs more.
How much does it cost to replace a slate roof with shingles?
It usually costs more than a standard shingle job because the slate is heavy and slow to remove. Expect a price toward or above the top of the normal shingle range, depending on size.
How expensive is slate roofing?
New natural slate is one of the most expensive roofs you can buy, often several times the cost of shingles. That is why saving a good old slate roof is usually the smart move.
When to replace a slate roof?
When many slates are soft, flaking or falling apart across most of the roof. Slipped slates and bad flashing alone don't mean the roof is finished.