SA Affordable Housing November - December 2019 // ISSUE: 79 | Page 35

TECHNICAL TALK
"Slate has a high maintenance rate
and should be serviced once a year
due to acute weather conditions
as well as thermal shock."
system is that it has a composite waterproofing membrane
between the layers of slate. Even if you have broken slate,
the roof will not leak, as the underlay waterproofs the roof.
The underlay, however, should not be left exposed for too
long, as it is costly to replace.
SLATE ROOF MAINTENANCE
Slate roofs need to be repaired and maintained regularly,
this usually involves changing broken slate tiles,
inspection and repairs of ridges, hips and valleys since the
underfelt is prone to perish after several years, resulting in
roof leaks.
“Slate has a high maintenance rate and should be serviced
once a year due to acute weather conditions as well as
thermal shock. Ridges and hips form the weakest points on a
slate roof and it is imperative to inspect and repair them with
every roof maintenance,” Shongwe explains.
He adds, “It is an obligatory requirement from insurance
companies that homeowners and industry professionals
should commission a reputable company to maintain their
slate roof on an annual basis.”
PERFECT SLATE VARIATIONS
• Silver blue: A cool and rich grey with blue and black
undertones. Easily accessible in South Africa, this
slate is more cost effective compared to other slate
tiles.
• Multi-colour: Featuring a rich mix of greys, golds,
browns and hints of blues, this slate is not easily
available and costs more than the other tiles. It is also
available in a variety of sizes.
• African blue / matte black: An excellent choice, this
fine-grained material consists of quartz, mica,
chlorite and calcite. The slightly uneven surface of a
natural stone tile gives each piece its own
characteristics.
• Old / west-country: Slate splits naturally along
planes, revealing pallets of vivid colour not seen in
stone with processed surfaces. The topography of the
surface is intricate and boasts character, depth and
grain. This type is designed to complement the
inherent beauty in French and Tudor architectural
styles. Available in a broad range of colours, it
faithfully captures the appearance of natural slate.
THE PERFECT SOLUTION
Perfect Slate offers various slate tile services including:
•
New slate tile supplies
•
Installation on new slate roofs
•
Slate tile repairs
•
Maintenance contracts at a fixed rate a year
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019
33
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2019
33