Electro-galvanized steel will eventually rust and will not last as long as stainless steel, but is a good choice for asbestos-shingle roofs or for a roof with around 25 years of life remaining.

Manufactured from various grades of stainless steel, the slate hooks are available in two sizes – 80 mm and 100 mm – and come in boxes of 500. If your slate roof has been poorly installed, this can also lead to issues. For instance, if your roofer uses nails that are too thin, these can slowly cut through the roof slates. Poor quality slates The method of using stainless steel point slate hooks is very cost effective which is why it’s an increasingly popular choice in the United Kingdom as well as across Europe. Because the slate is supported at four different points, these hooks can be used in even the most exposed locations without sacrificing resistance to wind uplift. Centre-nailed, double-lap slates are fixed with two nails close to the side-edge of the slate and positioned immediately above the slates below. If it’s deemed that your slate roof can be repaired, you’ll usually need to replace or re-secure broken, slipped or missing slates. Missing roof slateWhen hook fixing, additional nail fixings should be used at eaves, ridges and top abutments and, to prevent lateral drift, at verges, hips, valleys and side abutments. Hall Hook slate repair fixings are the market leading remedial repair hook, designed over a 20 year period by an experienced slating contractor who always wanted to have the perfect solution to an everyday roofing problem. Slate roofs are one of the most durable and long lasting roofs there are. In fact, a good quality one could last well over 100 years! However, just like any roof, slate roofs can become damaged and will need fixing or replacing eventually. Read on to have all your questions about fixing slate roof tiles answered. Signs you might need to fix slate roof tiles

With the hook fixing system, the slates are secured at the tail, thus providing strong resistance to wind uplift. To comply with BS 5534, hooks should be stainless steel, 18/10 or 316 (marine) grade, 2.7 mm gauge and at least 5 mm longer than the minimum lap required. Stainless Steel Slate Hooks are an alternative fixing to clout nails for fixing Natural Slates, which is used extensively across Europe. This method offers a cost effective alternative method with lots of bonuses. Hooks can be used in the most exposed locations and because the slate is supported at four points, the resistance to wind uplift is extremely effective. The top edge of the slate is gripped under the top part of the hook. The shank of the hook runs down along the side of the slates in the next course, and the return grip at the bottom of the hook holds the tail of the slate on top. This means that each slate is held in place by four hooks; one at the head, one at the tail and one on each side. The one at the tail stops the hook from sliding down, the ones at the side prevent it from turning and the one at the head holds it at the batten. If you only need to repair a small area of your slate roof, we offer the Hall hook slate repair fixings kit. The Hall hook will leave you with a professional, neat repair that is fail-safe and invisible once complete. Unlike many slate repair methods and plastic alternatives, these hooks are durable, time-efficient, and the perfect answer to everyday roofing problems. Copper Slate Straps Slate tiles make a dull sound when tapped. Okay, so this one might be difficult to notice. But if you spot any loose slates, tap them square in the middle with a hammer and note the sound they make. If you hear a dull sound (as opposed to a bright ringing), it may mean the slate tiles are porous and no longer usable Broken roof slates need to be replaced in the same way as missing roof slates. But if the slate is still attached, it will need to be removed first.Fixing clips and roof slate hooks are typically made from durable materials such as stainless steel or galvanized steel, and come in a range of sizes and styles to accommodate different tile and slate shapes and configurations.

Aesthetics – the nails are hidden beneath the rows of slate above, whereas hook fixings are visible.

Problems that lead to fixing slate roof tiles

All natural slates can be fixed using slate hooks. The hook method offers considerable freedom in design and can save up to 25% on labour costs and eliminate breakages. The practice is very popular in Europe and is gaining popularity in the UK. This will involve pushing a tool called a slate ripper up between the roof slates to remove the fixing nails without lifting the surrounding roof tiles too much. Slipped roof slate No matter how well your roof is installed, there are some things you can’t control. Mechanical damage, such as frost or wind damage, or objects falling on your roof, is a common cause of broken roof slates.

If your roof has slates that have slipped or twisted out of position, the slate can simply be reattached using a tingle and fixing nail as above. In centre-nailed slating, the gauge is the spacing at which the battens are fixed to the rafters, trusses or counter-battens to provide the required head-lap. The margin is the exposed length of the slate measured in the same direction as the gauge. The lap and margin will be the same. So after experimenting with all manners of ideas and devices, Jimmy solved the slate roof repair problem with the invention of the Hallhook. There are two type of Slate Hook, an over batten type and a drive in type. The use of over batten type is very limited with the majority being drive in type (shown in picture).Fixing SIGA slates is straightforward for an experienced slater. Most SIGA slates come pre-holed at a nominal 90mm headlap. By simply moving the location of the slate on a standard 50x25mm batten, these can be fixed to obtain headlaps between 76 and 96mm, allowing them to be used on a variety of pitches. Nailing Natural Slates When selecting these products for your roof, it's important to choose clips and hooks that are compatible with your specific tile or slate type and roofing material. Proper installation and use of fixing clips and roof slate hooks can help to ensure the longevity and durability of your tiled or slate roof, providing a secure and reliable solution for protecting your property from the elements. Each slate is held in place by four slate hooks – one at the head, one at the tail, and one on each side. The one at the tail prevents the hook from sliding down, the side hooks stop it from turning, and the one at the head holds it at the batten. So, you’ve spotted that there’s an issue with your slate roof. But what’s actually wrong with it? Here are some common problems that could cause you to have to fix your roof slates. Slate tile fixings Another issue, although less common, is with the quality of the slates themselves. If your slates aren’t up to scratch, they can delaminate, which is when they split into layers.