[MassHistPres] water and slate roofs

Garrett Laws copperandslate at gmail.com
Fri Jan 17 14:11:24 EST 2014


Judy,

Making the sheathing watertight and at the same time making the building
"very air tight" may make the roof frame susceptible to moisture issues
down the road due to trapped moisture in the roof envelope. As the
theoretical performance of the building increases, so does the need for
monitoring that structure to keep all the water (and moisture) where you
want it to be.

If the top roof surface (the slate) does it's job, there's no need for
additional materials...the slate is the water barrier. If there are broken
slates, they should be replaced. Having a "higher performance" building
calls for someone to monitor the parts that make the squeeze the additional
performance out of the building structure.

I would strongly suggest having a slate roofer (from the area) that is
versed in installations AND maintenance, look at the slate to make a
clearer estimation of the condition of the slate and what (if anything)
needs to be addressed during the project.

Garrett Laws,
President

The Copper & Slate Company, Inc.
Fine Roofing and Exterior Finish Carpentry
238B Calvary Street,
Waltham, MA 02453
(781) 893-1916

 Work we do:
http://picasaweb.google.com/copperandslate

 Where we've worked over the years:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=206210316541901083869.00049065ef8543e1ef9c3&ll=42.40115,-71.126862&spn=0.125241,0.289421&t=h&z=12


On Thu, Jan 16, 2014 at 3:24 PM, Judy Markland
<jmarkland at lmstrategies.com>wrote:

> Greetings:
> Whately has an 1841 Greek Revival town hall that it is hoping to
> rehabilitate with both town and CPA funds.  The roof on the two story
> building is slate and generally in good repair.  Although it has not had a
> complete inspection, the architects estimate that less than 15% needs
> repair.  There are no obvious signs of flaking or delamination.  The slate
> was installed directly over an earlier wood shingle roof, probably in 1871
> when the existing 1-story building was lifted to become the second story.
>
> The consensus is that the roof should be retained and repaired.  However,
> the renovation will make the building very air tight.  A local builder has
> expressed concern that there is no water barrier below the slate, and that
> any water infiltrating will not be able to evaporate as it most likely does
> now, causing timbers and supports to rot.  He suggests removing the slate,
> adding a water barrier, and replacing the slates in good condition.
>
> This will obviously be expensive.  Has anyone had experience with slate
> roofs in tight, energy efficient buildings and, if so, can you recommend a
> course of action?
>
> Judy Markland
> Whately Historical Commission
>
>
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