Slate Roofers in Bristol
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Slate Roof Repairs and Re-Slating for Bristol Homes
Slate has been the roof of choice in Bristol for well over a century. Walk through Clifton, Redland, Cotham or Southville and you will see thousands of natural slate roofs, many of them on their original slates. Slate can last a very long time, but the nails that hold it, the battens underneath and the lead around it wear out long before the slate itself.
As slate roofers in Bristol, we repair slipped and broken slates, renew failing sections and fully re-slate roofs that have reached the end of their life. We match new slates to the old ones as closely as we can, so repairs blend in and period houses keep their character.
Every job starts with a proper inspection and a clear written quote. If your slate roof only needs a few repairs, we tell you so.
Common Slate Roof Problems
Most slate roofs in Bristol fail in the same few ways. These are the problems we fix most often:
- Slipped slates where the nails have rusted through
- Cracked or delaminating slates after frost
- Missing slates after strong winds
- Worn lead valleys and flashing between slopes
- Loose or cracked ridge tiles
- Old felt or no felt at all under the slates
Nail fatigue is the big one. Older slate roofs were fixed with iron nails that rust over time, and once enough have gone, slates start sliding out one by one. A few slipped slates can be refixed with copper or stainless tingles, but if they are slipping all over the roof, it is usually a sign that re-slating is due.
Slate roofs also depend on good lead flashing and sound chimneys. We check both whenever we work on a slate roof, because a leak blamed on the slates often turns out to be the lead.
Expert Advice
Slate Types Found in Bristol and Bath
Most period roofs in the two cities are covered in Welsh slate, prized for its strength, fine grain and long life. Spanish slate is widely used on newer work and some re-roofs, and reclaimed slate is valuable for repairs where new slate would stand out. Slates are laid double-lapped, so each slate overlaps two courses below, and they are fixed with two nails each, now in copper or stainless steel rather than the iron nails that fail on older roofs.
Repairs That Last
A single slipped slate can be refixed with a copper or stainless steel tingle without disturbing the rest of the roof. Where nails have failed across a slope, stripping and re-slating that slope with sound reclaimed and new slate is usually the lasting answer. Valleys, hips and abutments are where slate roofs most often leak, so these are checked on every visit, together with the lead flashing that seals them.
Heritage Considerations
In conservation areas such as Clifton, Redland and the City of Bath, slate is usually the expected material and like-for-like repairs are encouraged. Swapping slate for concrete tiles may need consent. Bats sometimes roost under slates on older roofs, so we keep an eye out and stop work if any are found.
Welsh Slate, Spanish Slate or Reclaimed?
The right slate depends on your house, your budget and, sometimes, the planning rules. We explain the options honestly.
- Welsh slate: the traditional choice for Bristol homes, very long lasting and the closest match on most period roofs.
- Spanish slate: a good quality natural slate that usually costs less than Welsh slate.
- Reclaimed slate: ideal for repairs and for keeping a period roof looking right, as long as the slates are sound.
- Conservation areas: like-for-like slate is often expected, so we check before any change of material.
Slate Roofing Across Bristol
We work on slate roofs right across the city, from the Georgian terraces of Clifton and the Victorian villas of Redland to the terraced streets of Southville, Bedminster, Totterdown, Easton and Bishopston.
If your slate roof is leaking, see our roof leak repair page. If it needs a complete overhaul, our roof replacement page explains how re-slating works.
Slate roofing is part of our residential roofing services and one of the roofing systems we install and repair across Bristol and Bath.
Slate Roofing Reviews From Bristol and Bath Customers
Our authenticity promise: we only publish genuine reviews from real customers, with their permission. Every review shown here will include the customer’s first name, their area, the work carried out, the date and where the review was left. We never write, buy, edit or pay for reviews.
Reviews from customers who have had slate roofing work carried out across Bristol and Bath will appear here as jobs are completed. If we have worked on your roof, we would love to hear how it went.
Slate Roofing FAQs
How long does a slate roof last?
Good quality natural slate can last a very long time, often far longer than the nails and battens holding it. That is why many old slate roofs can be re-slated using some of the original slates.
Can you repair just a few slipped slates?
Yes. Individual slipped or broken slates can usually be refixed or replaced without disturbing the rest of the roof, often using copper or stainless steel tingles.
Do you use reclaimed slate?
Yes, where it makes sense. Reclaimed slate is great for repairs and for keeping a period roof looking original, as long as the slates are sound.
How much does re-slating a roof cost?
It depends on the size of the roof, the slate you choose and the access. Slate usually costs more than concrete tiles.
Do I need permission to re-slate in a conservation area?
Like-for-like re-slating usually does not need planning permission. Changing to a different material in a conservation area or on a listed building may need consent, so we check before work starts.
How should slates be fixed?
Natural slates are traditionally fixed with two nails each, using copper or stainless steel nails that will not rust like the old iron ones. BS 5534 is the British Standard code of practice for slating and tiling. Since its 2014 revision, every single-lap tile must be mechanically fixed and ridge and hip tiles can no longer rely on mortar alone.
Can I change my slate roof to tiles?
It depends. Changing the roof material can materially change how the house looks, which may need planning permission. In conservation areas, on listed buildings or where an Article 4 direction applies, like-for-like slate is often expected. Check with Bristol City Council first.
Why Choose Us as Your Slate Roofers
Slate work rewards patience. Matching slates, setting the right gauge and dressing lead properly all take time, and rushing it shows. We take the time to do it right and leave your roof looking like it belongs on the street.
- Slates matched to your existing roof
- Honest advice on repair versus re-slating
- Lead and chimneys checked on every job
- Clear written quotes before work starts