Traditional Slate
Traditional Slate | Roof Repair | Roofing | Kelso
Kelso’s characterful streets are lined with traditional slate roofs that deserve the same care and craftsmanship that first went into laying them. HEP’s specialists combine time-honoured techniques with modern safety standards, tracing every slipped tile, hair-line crack and weather-worn ridge until the roof looks—and performs—as though it were just fitted. Whether your cottage dates back centuries or your townhouse carries a contemporary twist, our team treats each slate like a piece of local history, preserving the texture and tone that make Borders homes unique.
When you call for roof repair, we arrive swiftly, provide a transparent assessment, and source premium Scottish slate that matches your existing finish in colour, thickness and grain. From isolated storm damage to full-scale refurbishments, every nail, anchor and flashing is installed to outlast the fiercest Borders winter. With HEP, you’re not just patching a problem—you’re investing in the enduring beauty and resilience of Kelso’s skyline.
FAQs
How can I tell that my slate roof in Kelso needs professional repair?
Warning signs include slipped or missing slates, visible cracks, damp patches on interior ceilings, staining on rafters, excessive moss growth, and granules in your gutters. Because slate is durable, even a few displaced tiles can allow wind-driven rain to penetrate the roof. A visual inspection from the ground with binoculars or an annual check by a qualified roofer is the safest way to detect problems early.
What are the main reasons slates loosen or break in the Scottish Borders climate?
In Kelso we experience frequent freeze-thaw cycles, driving rain, and occasional high winds. Water can seep into tiny fissures, freeze, and expand, causing slates to crack. Rusted fixing nails (a problem known as 'nail sickness') or decayed timber battens can also let slates slip. Foot traffic by untrained workers or falling branches may chip or shatter tiles as well.
If only a few slates are damaged, do I need a complete re-roof or just spot repairs?
Most slate roofs can be repaired on a slate-for-slate basis for decades, provided the majority of tiles and the support timbers remain sound. We carefully remove the affected slates, replace corroded nails with non-ferrous fixings, and refit matching reclaimed or new slates. A full re-roof is only advised when widespread nail sickness, structural timber decay, or extensive slate delamination is discovered.
How long does a typical traditional slate roof repair take?
For small areas (5–20 slates) we usually complete the work in one day, including scaffold setup and clean-up. Larger repairs covering one or two roof elevations may take 2–4 days. Timelines can extend if we must source rare sizes of reclaimed Scottish slate or if severe weather delays safe access.
Will the new slates look different from the original roof?
We stock reclaimed Ballachulish, Welsh, and Westmorland slates to match the colour and texture of roofs commonly found in Kelso. Where reclaimed stock is unavailable, we hand-weather new slates with a mild acid wash to soften their appearance. Over a few months the replacement tiles blend naturally with the existing roof under local weathering.
Do I need planning permission orListed Building Consent for slate repairs in Kelso?
Routine like-for-like repairs on an unlisted property generally fall under ‘permitted development’. However, if your home is Listed or within a Conservation Area (many properties near Kelso Abbey and the town centre are), you may require Listed Building Consent. We can provide photographs, method statements, and slate samples to assist your application and liaise with Scottish Borders Council on your behalf.