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I recently purchased a farm house built in 1887 the roof is in fair condition and would like to replace the roof w a steel roof. My question is can I run purlins and overlay the slate in effect creating a double roof system. I know weight is a concern but the roof joists are full 2×8 spaced 24″ oak w/ skip sheathing. The other option is a total roof tear off ugggggg.
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Stan,
I don't like layers as much as I don't like extra work so here's an idea.
In my area I think the slate guys will
b pay you
to remove your slate and haul it away to one of their $1000 per square projects.
Make a few calls,
Jack : )
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I am afraid that finding someone to pay you for the privlege of removing your slate is wishfull thinking on someones part.Sort of like those patents for car engines that run on water which everyone knows Exxon bought up to keep off the market.It is an urban legend. I have been a roofing contractor for a long time in a major urban area with a large stock of old houses and I have never met anyone that was party to such a transaction. Maybe it happens elswhere,but it ain't happening here.Besides,once this mythical person removes your slate how are you going to co-ordinate keeping your house dry till you have the metal roof installed.Is the metal roofing contractor responsable when the tarp blows off or the invisible guy that 'bought' your slate. How long do you want your family and all your worldly goods sheltered by a 2 story tent(tarp covered house).This is not a time to cheap out. Hire the best contractor available(Best experience,Insurance and Ability Available) Good Luck.
*Do not even think about putting the metal over the slate. Do the tear off. Installing the metal roofing will be safer (you can use the skip sheathing as steps) and your fasteners will go right in.The tear-off shouldn't be awful if you do it systematically, and pick up as you go.Anyway, your roof will look better and function better if you put the metal directly on the skip sheathing.Kevin
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I guess someone has to ask.....
If the slate roof is in good shape why do you want a metal roof? Slate is good for what, 125 years? Steel is good till the sacrificial coating wears out - 25 years?
My first home sported a grey slate roof. I noticed that a lot of the slates were starting to delaminate. So I had a roofer over, he said look all you need to do is replace the valleys and the cap. Which we did. 20 years later the roof still looks the same. I was ready to strip, sheath, and asphalt that roof 20 years ago. If I had done that then the shingles would be just about worn out now, and ready to go again.
Jon
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Looks like pretty good advice Jon but I MIGHT differ on a couple of minor points. Around here slate roofs and their fasteners are usually worn out after 80-100 years, some more some less.Stan's roof built in about 1887 is very close to your generous life expectancy of 125 years . At this point re-flashing valleys and installing new ridge roll MIGHT be like chrome-plating a turd.I really like slate ,but unless Stan's roof was slated with copper nails prolonging it's life could be an ongoing series of expensive maintenance problems (or not). By the way,Stan's roof MIGHT be able to carry the added Weight of a metal roof.I have torn off many roofs that had 1 or 2 layers of asphalt shingles over slate. I don't think a metal roof would way as much as shingles but I sure agree with Kevin do the tear off.Tearing the slate off is actually much easier than tearing off shingles ,it's protecting the surroundings from flying slate and the clean-up after thats a pain.I once had a slate fall off a roof and cut clear through the bottom rung of a ladder.( Thats cut the rung not break the rung)If a slate hits the ground right it can slice in about 1/2 its length. all this aside the tear off will give you a much better roof. Good Luck
*I don't mind the extra labor of the tear off the suggestion was made for the overlay would in effect double my weather protection with the old slate roof still under the new steel.
*Tearing off slate is almost as much fun as watching glass break. It's fun and easy, ain't gravity amazing! Hire some no brainers to pick up the mess on the ground, and cover everything you value with plywood. Be prepared , those 2 x 8's and ship sheathing are never as straight as they appear before the slate comes off.....B.Ketter
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Two layers can be unbelievably big trouble.
Building Science Corporation
Jack : )
*Stephen,There are adds in our local paper's "wanted" section that ask to buy used slate, "we'll remove." I have never called on an add though.Have a good day,Jack : )
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I recently purchased a farm house built in 1887 the roof is in fair condition and would like to replace the roof w a steel roof. My question is can I run purlins and overlay the slate in effect creating a double roof system. I know weight is a concern but the roof joists are full 2x8 spaced 24" oak w/ skip sheathing. The other option is a total roof tear off ugggggg.