Mon-Sat 8am-8pm · Emergencies 7 daysslwroofing8619@gmail.com07541 253055 HomeAboutServices Pitched RoofsSlate RoofsRe-RoofsRoof RepairsEmergency Roof RepairsChimneysMoss RemovalLeadworkGuttering (UPVC)Fascias & Soffits (UPVC) Areas BracknellWokinghamAscotSandhurstCrowthorneCamberleyReadingWindsorMaidenheadSloughStaines-upon-ThamesWokingGuildfordFarnham Our WorkReviewsContactFree Quote - Home - Roofing Services - Slate RoofsSlate Roofing · Bracknell # Slate Roof Repairs & Replacement in Bracknell Keep the character of your slate roof and stop the leaks, slipped slates refixed, damaged ones replaced and full renewals carried out by a slate specialist. Get My Free Quote07541 253055 25 years' experience · 10-year guarantee · Free inspection 25 Years Roofing experience 10-Year Guarantee on all work Fixed Prices, agreed up front £1m Public liability · CSCS 7 Days Emergency cover The service ## Natural Slate, Repaired the Right Way Natural slate is one of the longest-lasting roof coverings available. Many Victorian and Edwardian homes across Reading, Windsor, Maidenhead and Guildford still have their original slate. The slate itself often outlives the nails holding it, which is why slipped slates are the most common problem. Scott specialises in slate. That means using the right fixings, the right slate sizes and the right techniques so repairs are invisible and durable, not a line of mismatched slates held on with sealant. Slate is brittle and easily broken by anyone walking on it without care. A specialist protects the rest of the roof while working, which keeps a small repair small. ### Who This Is For - Period homes with original slate roofs - Roofs with slipped or missing slates - Owners whose slates show nail sickness - Homes with failing slate valleys or ridges - Anyone considering slate for a re-roof What happens if you wait ## Nail Sickness Doesn't Stop at One Slate When the nails on one slate corrode, the nails around it are usually the same age and the same condition. Ignored, slipping spreads across the slope. ### Spreading slippage Each slipped slate exposes the slates beneath to weather and wind lift, so more follow. ### Water into timbers Gaps let rain reach battens and rafters, causing rot that's costly to repair. ### Falling slate hazard Slates are heavy and sharp. One sliding off a roof is a real danger to anyone below. ### Common Mistakes Homeowners Make - Replacing natural slate with cheap fibre-cement slates that never match - Gluing slipped slates back with sealant - Allowing untrained people to walk directly on slates - Using the wrong slate size or thickness for repairs - Ignoring widespread nail sickness and paying for repeat call-outs - Stripping a roof that only needs targeted repairs How it works ## Our Slate Roofs Process 01 ### Free slate survey Scott checks slates, nails, battens, ridges and valleys, inside and out. 02 ### Repair or renew? An honest view on whether targeted repairs or a re-slate gives better value. 03 ### Careful slating Slates refixed or replaced with correct sizes and fixings, protecting surrounding slates. 04 ### Inspection Every lap and fixing checked; loft inspected for light or damp. 05 ### Guaranteed Area cleared, work explained and backed by a 10-year guarantee. What you get ## Why Homeowners Choose SLW Roofing ### Character preserved Matched slates keep your home's period look and protect its value. ### Long life Correctly fixed natural slate can protect a home for generations. ### No needless re-roofs Targeted repairs where they make sense; renewal only when it truly does. ### Specialist handling Fewer breakages and neater finishes from a roofer who knows slate. ### Fixed price Agreed before work starts, so there are no surprises. ### 10-year guarantee Every slate job is covered for 10 years. In detail ## Slate Roofing in Detail Slate work is a craft. These are the details that decide whether a slate roof lasts. ### Natural slate vs man-made slate Natural slate is split from quarried stone. It is dense, stable and colour-fast. Man-made fibre-cement slates are lighter and cheaper but have a shorter life and a uniform look. On a period home, natural slate keeps the character and is usually the better long-term investment. ### Fixing methods Slates are typically centre-nailed or head-nailed onto battens with copper or aluminium nails. When an individual slate needs replacing and the batten can't be reached, a discreet copper or lead tingle (clip) holds it in place. Hook-fixing is another method on some roofs. Scott matches the existing method so the repair behaves like the rest of the roof. ### Nail sickness and re-slating Nail sickness is the term for widespread corrosion of slate nails. A few slipped slates can be refixed, but when slippage is appearing across a slope, the more economical answer is to strip, re-felt, re-batten and re-hang, reusing sound slates and topping up with matching reclaimed or new slate. You'll be advised which applies to your roof. ### Slate ridges, hips and valleys Slate roofs may use clay or slate ridge tiles, bedded or dry-fixed. Valleys are usually lead-lined or formed with cut slates. Lead valleys and soakers are a frequent cause of leaks on older slate roofs, and Scott carries out the associated leadwork himself. ### Where slate is found locally Slate is common on Victorian terraces in Reading and Slough, larger period homes in Windsor, Maidenhead and Ascot, and older cottages throughout Surrey. SLW Roofing covers all of these within 30 miles of Bracknell. ### Signs of a failing slate roof Slates sitting lower than their neighbours, pieces of slate in the gutter or on the ground, slates held on with visible clips in many places, and damp patches in the loft after rain all point to failing fixings or battens. Gaps along the ridge or crumbling mortar at the verges are also common on older slate roofs. A free survey shows how widespread the problem is, so you can decide between targeted repairs and a re-slate with the facts in front of you. ### Choosing replacement slate Slates vary in size, thickness, colour and texture depending on where they were quarried. A good match depends on all four. For small repairs, reclaimed slate often blends in best because it has already weathered. For larger areas, new natural slate of a similar colour can be used on a less visible slope with salvaged slates moved to the front. Scott will show you the options before work starts, so there are no surprises in how the finished roof looks. ### Underlay and battens on slate roofs Many older slate roofs were laid without any underlay at all, relying on the slates alone and torching (mortar) on the underside. When re-slating, a modern breathable membrane and new treated battens are fitted, giving a second line of defence against wind-driven rain and allowing the roof space to breathe. ### Choosing a Roofer for Slate Roofs in Bracknell Whoever you choose for slate roofs, ask four questions before you agree to anything: who will actually do the work, is the price fixed or a day rate, what guarantee is offered, and is the roofer insured. The answers tell you more than any advert. With SLW Roofing, Scott Workman is on every job himself. He started roofing at 14 and has 25 years' experience on the roofs of Berkshire and Surrey. The person who inspects your roof is the person responsible for fixing it, so nothing is lost between a salesman's promise and the work on your roof. Every quote is free and every price is fixed. Once you've agreed it, it doesn't change because a job took longer than expected. If something unexpected is found, such as rotten timber hidden under tiles, you'll be shown it and asked before any extra work goes ahead. All work comes with a 10-year guarantee. SLW Roofing holds £1 million public liability insurance and Scott is CSCS registered, a recognised site safety credential. Emergency repairs are available 7 days a week, and standard hours run Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. SLW Roofing is based in Bracknell and covers homes up to 30 miles away, including Wokingham, Ascot, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Camberley, Reading, Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough, Staines-upon-Thames, Woking, Guildford and Farnham. Wherever you are in that area, you get the same owner-led service, the same fixed pricing and the same guarantee. Read more ### Related Services Re-Roofs Roof Repairs Chimneys Leadwork ### Slate Roofs Across Berkshire & Surrey BracknellWokinghamAscotSandhurstCrowthorneCamberleyReadingWindsorMaidenheadSloughStaines-upon-ThamesWokingGuildfordFarnham Back to the SLW Roofing homepage, see all roofing services or contact Scott. Questions ## Slate Roofs FAQs How much does a slate roof repair cost?+Costs depend on how many slates need attention, access and whether battens need replacing. You'll get a free inspection and a fixed price before work begins. Can you replace just a few slates?+Yes. Individual slates can be replaced using matching slate and discreet tingles, without disturbing the rest of the roof. How do I know if I need a full re-slate?+If slates are slipping across the roof, the nails are failing everywhere. Scott will show you the evidence and give an honest recommendation. Do you reuse my existing slates?+Where they're sound, yes. Reusing good slates keeps the look and reduces cost. Any shortfall is made up with matching slate. How long does slate last?+Good natural slate can last for a very long time. The nails, battens and underlay usually need renewing long before the slate itself. Is slate work guaranteed?+Yes, all work carries a 10-year guarantee. How long will the work take?+Small repairs are typically done in a day. A full re-slate takes longer depending on roof size; you'll get a clear timeline with your quote. Do you cover slate roofs in Reading and Windsor?+Yes. SLW Roofing covers up to 30 miles from Bracknell, including Reading, Windsor, Maidenhead, Guildford and Farnham. ## Protect Your Slate Roof Before More Slates Slip Book a free slate survey. Scott will tell you exactly what your roof needs and fix the price before he starts. Book My Free Inspection07541 253055 Fixed price · 10-year guarantee · £1m public liability · CSCS registered Pitched and slate roofing specialist based in Bracknell, Berkshire. 25 years' experience, 10-year guarantee on all work. ### Services - Pitched Roofs - Slate Roofs - Re-Roofs - Roof Repairs - Emergency Roof Repairs - Chimneys - Moss Removal - Leadwork - Guttering (UPVC) - Fascias & Soffits (UPVC) - All roofing services ### Areas Covered - Roofer Bracknell - Roofer Wokingham - Roofer Ascot - Roofer Sandhurst - Roofer Crowthorne - Roofer Camberley - Roofer Reading - Roofer Windsor - Roofer Maidenhead - Roofer Slough - Roofer Staines-upon-Thames - Roofer Woking - Roofer Guildford - Roofer Farnham - All areas covered ### Contact 07541 253055slwroofing8619@gmail.comBracknell, Berkshire Mon-Sat 8am-8pm · Emergencies 7 days FacebookLeave a review © 2026 SLW Roofing. CSCS registered · £1m public liability. · Privacy · Terms · Cookies Call ScottFree Quote