Expert Slate Roof Repairs in Dublin: Bangor Blues, Tegral & Natural Stone

Slate is the crowning feature of Dublin’s architectural heritage. From Victorian and Edwardian redbrick residences in Ranelagh, Rathmines, and Ballsbridge to mid-century suburban terraces and contemporary builds, slate roofs offer outstanding natural durability. However, even the highest-grade slate roof requires specialist maintenance when exposed to Dublin’s damp maritime climate, gale-force coastal winds, and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles.

Unlike modern concrete interlocking tiles, repairing a slate roof demands traditional trade craftsmanship. Walking across slates incorrectly will crack underlying courses, while hammering in clumsy surface nails creates new puncture leaks.

The most common slate failure in Dublin is "nail sickness"—where original steel or copper fixings corrode after decades of exposure, causing heavy slates to slip out of line and leave your underlay exposed. At MP Roofing, Mike and the crew bring over 15 years of hands-on slating experience to your property.

Backed by €6.5 million in public liability insurance and Safe Pass certification, we inspect your roof on camera, match replacement slates seamlessly, and carry out permanent, discreet repairs backed by our 5-year warranty.

The Problem

Decades of harsh Atlantic weather and nail sickness had taken their toll on this pitched roofline. Slipped slates, perished underfelt, and crumbling battens were allowing driving rain to track into the roof space, creating persistent leaks around an attic skylight and dampening the ceiling insulation below. With the underlying secondary weather barrier completely broken down, repeated patch repairs were no longer viable, and a full structural strip and re-slate was required.

The Solution

Mike and the crew completely stripped away the degraded slates, rotted laths, and aged underlay down to the bare rafters, safely clearing all site debris to an adjacent work deck. After inspecting the structural roof timbers, we laid a high-performance vapour-permeable breathable membrane (Roof-X Maxi) to lock out wind-driven moisture while allowing interior household vapour to escape naturally. We installed fresh, pressure-treated timber battens at exact gauges, seamlessly integrated the flashing kit around the Velux roof window, and hand-nailed durable, precision-aligned slate courses with optimal overlap to withstand severe coastal wind uplift.

The Result

A sharp, uniform, storm-proof slate roofline that permanently stops water ingress and restores complete structural integrity around the roof window. Documented on camera from the initial strip-down through every batten course to the final tile alignment, this complete installation is backed by MP Roofing’s written 20-year structural warranty.

What is "nail sickness" and why are slates sliding off my roof?

Nail sickness occurs when the original nails holding your slates in place corrode due to age and moisture. While natural stone slates can last over a century, the fixings often degrade after 50 to 80 years. As the nail heads rust away, the slates lose their mechanical hold and slide down the roof pitch. If caught early, localized slipped slates can be secured using discreet slate hooks without needing a complete re-roof.

Can you match my original Bangor Blue or natural slates?

Yes. With over 15 years working on period properties across North and South Dublin, we maintain relationships with established reclamation and roofing suppliers across Ireland. Whether your home features historic Welsh Bangor blues, textured Spanish slates, or modern synthetic Tegral profiles, we source replacement units that blend seamlessly with your roof's weathered appearance.

Can a few slipped slates be replaced without scaffolding?

In many cases, minor repairs—such as securing three or four slipped slates, clearing a valley, or replacing a dislodged ridge tile—can be carried out efficiently using specialized roof ladders and harness safety systems. If extensive repairs or work near fragile eaves and public footpaths is required, we assess the site to ensure full safety and Safe Pass compliance.

Why shouldn’t standard handymen walk on a slate roof?

Natural slate is strong against driving rain but brittle under localized point loads. Anyone walking directly on a slate roof without appropriate roof ladders and load-distributing crawlers will snap underlying slates, break concealed nibs, and create dozens of new leaks. Always ensure any contractor working on a slate roof has verified trade experience and adequate public liability insurance.

What guarantee do you provide on slate repairs?

Every slate repair carried out by MP Roofing—including slate re-hooking, lead valley renewals, and ridge repointing—is covered by our written 5-year workmanship guarantee. If an issue develops with our repair during that period, we return and resolve it free of charge.