Slates and tiles
Slipped Slates and Tiles
A slipped slate is the commonest storm job: €350 to €1,100 for a few. It's quick to fix and expensive to leave, because the wind now has an edge to lift.
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Nails go before slates do
Natural slate lasts a very long time, but the nails holding it rust through. Once a nail goes, the slate slides down and shows a gap. On older roofs this is "nail fatigue", and when many slates are slipping, it's the nails across the whole roof, not bad luck.
Concrete tiles are heavier and hooked over battens, but the end tiles at verges and ridges are bedded in mortar that cracks with age. Wind gets in there first.
What the roofer does
A single slipped slate is usually refixed with a copper or lead clip (a tingle) or replaced with a matching slate. Missing tiles are replaced and the course checked either side. If the felt underneath is torn, that's repaired too.
If slates are slipping all over, the roofer will tell you that patching is buying time and a re-slate is the real fix: roofreplacement.ie has what a re-slate costs. Ask them to show you photos of what they found.
What it costs
| Job | Typical cost | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| A few slipped or broken slates or tiles | €350 to €1,100 | How many, matching them, ladder or a lift |
| A number of damaged slates | €700 to €1,500 | How much of the roof, and the felt under it |
| A bigger repair: a slope, timbers | €1,100 to €6,500+ | Scaffolding, felt, battens |
Water coming in? Do this first
- Stay safe. Don't go on the roof or up a ladder in wind or rain. Keep clear of anything hanging loose.
- Catch the water. Buckets under drips, move what you can, and switch off lights or sockets near the wet.
- Take photos and video of the damage inside and out, close up and wide, once it's safe.
- Get a roofer out for a temporary repair, and keep every receipt. Insurers usually pay for temporary repairs.
- Tell your insurer as soon as you can.
Roof jobs we pass on
Storm damageSlates off, ridge loose, flashing lifted. €600 to €3,000+.More on storm damage →
Roof leaksFinding where the water really gets in. €300 to €900.More on roof leaks →
Chimney and flashingLead, soakers and back gutters. €650 to €2,500.More on chimney and flashing →
Gutters after a stormDown, loose or overflowing, and the damp it causes.More on gutters after a storm →
Emergency tarpingKeeping the weather out until the repair.More on emergency tarping →Every area and town we cover
- Louth49,332 households
- Meath72,549 households
- Monaghan22,855 households
- Cavan28,776 households
- North Dublin107,599 households
- DundalkCo. Louth
- DroghedaCo. Louth
- ArdeeCo. Louth
- NavanCo. Meath
- AshbourneCo. Meath
- TrimCo. Meath
- KellsCo. Meath
- Monaghan townCo. Monaghan
- CarrickmacrossCo. Monaghan
- CastleblayneyCo. Monaghan
- ClonesCo. Monaghan
- Cavan townCo. Cavan
- VirginiaCo. Cavan
- BailieboroughCo. Cavan
- CootehillCo. Cavan
- Swordsnorth Dublin
- Balbriggannorth Dublin
- Malahidenorth Dublin
- Skerriesnorth Dublin
What's happened
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Questions people ask
Can I just push a slipped slate back up?
Not safely, and it won't stay: the nail that held it has gone. It needs a clip or a new fixing.
Is a slipped slate covered by insurance?
A slate blown off in a storm usually is; slates slipping from old nails usually count as wear and tear. Check your policy.
Roof damaged? Tell us in 3 taps
One local roofer rings you back, 6am to 7pm, seven days a week. Free, no obligation.