Roof Slating in Worthing
Natural slate roofs are masterpieces. Laid centuries ago in many Worthing period homes, they can outlast the house itself — but only if maintained properly. Jaysways Roofing specializes in natural slate repair, re-slating, and storm damage restoration.
What is Roof Slating?
A slate roof uses individual pieces of split natural stone, fixed to timber battens with galvanized nails and dressed tails that overlap to shed water. Each slate is unique — varying in thickness, colour, and texture depending on its quarry of origin.
What makes slate special is durability. A well-maintained natural slate roof lasts 100+ years. Many Worthing period homes still have original 19th-century slates performing perfectly.
But slate is heavy, brittle, and demands skilled repair. Slipped slates, cracked slate, corroded nails, broken battens, and decayed timber all require specialist knowledge. More importantly, heritage properties often need slates from the same quarry or period to preserve character.
When Do You Need This Service?
- Slipped or missing slates — visible gaps or sagging lines across the roof; common after winter gales
- Cracked slates — natural stone fractures from frost damage or storm impact
- Corroded nail sickness — original galvanized nails rusting through, causing slates to slip; common on roofs 60+ years old
- Broken or rotting battens — structural failure under slate weight
- Water staining on ceilings or loft timbers — sign of water ingress through failed slates or corroded nails
- Moss and algae buildup — speeds deterioration and water retention
- Storm damage — high winds and heavy snow dislodge slates; ice damage breaks edges
- Heritage home maintenance — proactive slate inspection before visible problems develop
Our Process
Specialist Survey & Structural Assessment
We inspect every slate, batten, and nail. We check for nail sickness (corroded nails causing failure), batten rot, and water ingress signs. For listed properties, we assess conservation requirements early.
Sourcing the Right Slate
For repairs on period homes, we source reclaimed slate from the same quarries or era, or salvage from demolition. We’ll never replace 1890s Westmorland slate with modern Chinese slate.
Careful Slate Removal
We remove slates using specialist techniques that avoid damaging surrounding slates. For corroded nail sickness, we lift slates, remove old nails, check battens, and reinstall with new galvanized fixings.
Batten & Timber Repair
Rot in battens is common; we replace as needed with pressure-treated timber matching original specifications.
Slate Replacement or Full Re-Slating
For isolated damage, we replace individual slates. For nail sickness across the roof, we may recommend full re-slating — removing all slates, fixing the structural base, then relaying with new or reclaimed slate.
Ridge, Hips & Flashings
We repoint mortar, repair flashings around chimneys and valleys, and ensure all high-point details are watertight.
Materials We Use
Frequently Asked Questions
What Our Customers Say
“Our 1890s cottage had generations of slate, but several slates were missing after a winter storm. Jaysways sourced reclaimed slate that matched perfectly and repaired our flashing. They understood the heritage value. Really impressed.”
David K.
Worthing town centre
Ready for Roof Slating?
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