How to Work on Slate Roofs

Lay down rigid foam insulation or plywood to act as a staging platform to prevent walking directly on and damaging surrounding tiles.

Examine the roofing materials carefully to identify problem areas with cracked tiles, loose tiles or degradation of the wood materials beneath the slate.

Use the slate ripper to remove the nails from damaged tile. Insert the hook under the tile and fit it over the nail. Then, hammer the ripper to cut or pull out the nail. Remove the tile from its position and dispose of it carefully without hitting other tiles.

Insert a slate hook to hold the replacement tile. Hammer the shaft of the hook into the roof just above the headlap of the slate tile just below the removed piece.

Slightly lift the tile in the row that is just above the tile you removed and insert the replacement tile into place. Pull it downward until it fits snugly on the slate hook. Secure the new tile into place with a nail in the nail slot.

Remove damaged flashing around chimneys or other utility outlets on the roof with the claw end of the hammer and a screwdriver. Cracked or corroded flashing is more likely to be the source of leaks than the slate tiles. Cut out damaged areas with the tin snips. You can use the old piece of flashing as a template for cutting the replacement piece.

Position the new stainless steel flashing. Nail the flashing into place and seal the nail holes with a small bit of roofing cement.