Slate Roof Replacement and Re-slating in Sydney

Because slate is such a durable material, most of the slates stripped from a roof are likely to be reusable. However, it is common for at least 10% of the slates to require replacement. To maintain the appearance of the roof, the salvaged slates should be used on external roof slopes visible from the ground, with new slates confined to unseen slopes if possible. Each roof slope should have either all old slates or all new, as a mixture of old and new on one slope rarely looks good. New slates should be exactly the same size as the old slates, especially in length and thickness. The sheet is dated March 1998, online edition 2004.

Fixing, and what the category includes

The sheet says slates should be centre nailed rather than head nailed. The NSW Government's definition of roof slating work includes installing flashing, sarking, battens and valleys, and putting protective coatings on roofs so long as the work makes no structural change to the roof or its parts. Repairing or replacing non-structural roof cladding is exempt development under the state's code, except on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area.

Ask the provider whether the quote reuses the existing slates and how many new ones it assumes, and who deals with the council if the roof is in a heritage area.

Can my existing slates go back on?

Because slate is such a durable material, most of the slates stripped from a roof are likely to be reusable. However, it is common for at least 10% of the slates to require replacement. The sheet is dated March 1998, online edition 2004.

Can old and new slates be mixed on one slope?

Each roof slope should have either all old slates or all new, as a mixture of old and new on one slope rarely looks good.

Does re-slating need council approval?

Repairing or replacing non-structural roof cladding is exempt development under the state's code, but not on a heritage item or in a heritage conservation area. Ask the council for the property's area first.