After a night of high winds on the Ayrshire coast, the first thing many Prestwick homeowners notice is a slate lying on the path or in the garden. A single slipped slate might look like a small problem, but it leaves a gap where rain can get in, and the slates around it are often loose too. If you need slate roof repairs in Prestwick, this guide explains why slates slip, what to check from the ground, and when a repair is enough or a re-slate makes more sense.
Ross Clark Roofing has been fixing slate roofs across Prestwick, Ayr and Troon for more than 25 years. Our Ayr office is a few minutes from Prestwick, and every job is carried out by our own trained staff, never subcontracted. You can read more about our local work on our Prestwick roofers page.
Why slates slip after high winds
Prestwick takes the full force of the wind coming in off the Firth of Clyde. Each winter storm puts strain on a slate roof, and older roofs give way in a few common places:
- Nail sickness. On older roofs the iron nails holding each slate rust through. The slate then slides down or blows off in the next gale.
- Cracked or brittle slates. Some slates delaminate or crack with age and frost, and wind finishes the job.
- Loose ridge and hip tiles. Old mortar crumbles, leaving ridge tiles free to lift.
- Previous patch repairs. Slates held on with tingles (small metal clips) or sealant can let go in strong wind.
- Worn lead. Lifted flashings and valleys let wind under the slates around a chimney or dormer.
One slate missing after a storm is usually a straightforward repair. Several slipped slates in different parts of the roof, especially on a roof that is 80 or more years old, are often a sign of nail sickness across the whole roof.
What to check after a storm (safely, from the ground)
Please do not climb onto the roof yourself. Wet slate is slippery and fragile, and a fall from a two-storey roof can be life-changing. From the street or the garden, look for:
- Slates on the ground, in the gutters or sitting out of line on the roof
- Gaps or dark lines where a slate used to be
- Ridge tiles that look lifted, cracked or out of line
- Lead around the chimney or skylight that has lifted or is flapping
- Damp patches or drips in the loft or on bedroom ceilings
If you can see daylight in the loft, or water is coming in, call our 24-hour emergency roofing line. We will make the roof safe and watertight first, then talk you through the permanent repair. It is also worth keeping an eye on the Met Office storm centre through the winter so you can check your roof before and after a named storm.
Slate roof repairs in Prestwick: how we fix slipped slates
Every repair starts with a proper look at the roof. We check the slipped slates, the ones around them, the ridge, the lead and the gutters, so we fix the cause and not just the gap. Typical slate roof repairs include:
- Replacing slipped or broken slates with a slate that matches the size, thickness and colour of the originals.
- Re-fixing loose slates securely so they stay put in the next gale.
- Re-bedding or replacing ridge tiles, or fitting a dry ridge system that does not rely on mortar.
- Repairing lead flashings, valleys and soakers around chimneys and dormers. See our lead work page.
- Clearing gutters of broken slate and debris so rainwater can drain away.
We give you a clear, written quote and agree the price before any work starts. You can see more about the work we do on our roof repairs and tile and slate roofing pages.
Repair or re-slate? How to decide
We will always tell you honestly whether a repair will last. As a rough guide:
| Repair is usually right when | Re-slating is usually right when |
|---|---|
| Only a few slates have slipped, in one area | Slates are slipping all over the roof, year after year |
| The slates are sound and the nails are holding | Nail sickness is widespread on an older roof |
| The roof was slated or re-slated in the last few decades | The roof has been patched many times with tingles or sealant |
| The underlay and battens are dry and sound | The timbers, felt or battens are rotten or missing |
A full re-slate means stripping the roof back to the rafters, fitting a new breathable membrane and battens, and laying new natural slate fixed with copper nails. On Allanvale Road in Prestwick, for example, we stripped the roof, fitted Permavent breathable membrane, Code 5 lead to the valleys and chimneys, and 400mm x 200mm CUPA natural slate fixed with copper nails. You can see the finished roof in our Allanvale Road re-slating project, and another Prestwick example in our Brandon Gardens re-roof and roofline upgrade.
Why choose Ross Clark Roofing in Prestwick
- More than 25 years’ experience with slate roofs in Ayrshire
- All work by our own trained staff, nothing subcontracted
- Free advice, quotes and roof reports
- Prices agreed before work starts
- A 10-year workmanship guarantee
- A 24-hour emergency call-out for storm damage
We work across Prestwick and the rest of Ayrshire, from Monkton and Troon to Ayr and Alloway.
Frequently asked questions
Is one slipped slate worth fixing straight away?
Yes. A single gap lets rain onto the felt and timbers below, and the wind can catch the slates next to it. A quick repair now is much cheaper than fixing rot or a damaged ceiling later.
Can you match my existing slates?
In most cases, yes. We can usually source natural slate that closely matches your roof in size, thickness and colour.
Will my home insurance cover storm damage?
Many policies cover sudden storm damage but not wear and tear. We can provide photos and a written report of the damage to support your claim.
Book your free slate roof check in Prestwick
If the wind has lifted slates on your roof, do not wait for the next storm. Call our Ayr office on 01292 611415 or mobile 07979 321307, or request your free, no-obligation quote online. If water is coming in now, use our 24-hour emergency line and we will make your roof safe.