Natural slate has been covering Tipperary homes for generations — from the older farmhouses and period properties in Nenagh and Thurles town centres to the traditional stone cottages that dot the rural landscape of the Golden Vale, the Arra Mountains and the communities along Lough Derg. It is one of the finest roofing materials available. It is also one that demands genuine expertise when things go wrong.
At Doherty Roofing, slate roof repairs are one of our core specialisms. We carry out professional slate roof repairs, nail sickness assessments and re-slating work across County Tipperary — identifying the real cause of problems rather than just replacing the slates that have slipped or cracked, and carrying out lasting repairs using properly matched materials.
Based in Limerick on Tipperary's western border, we are well positioned to serve North Tipperary quickly and cover the full county. Fully insured. Safe Pass certified. Free quotes. No call-out fees.
Here is something that surprises most homeowners when we explain it on site: the slates on your roof are very rarely the problem. The problem is almost always the nails.
Traditional iron and steel nails used to fix slates corrode over time — gradually losing their grip until individual slates begin to slip, slide or fall. This process is known as nail sickness, and it is the most common cause of slate roof failure on older Tipperary properties. The critical point is this — a roof suffering from nail sickness does not have failing slates. It has failing fixings. Replacing individual slates on a nail-sick roof is an ongoing cost that never resolves the underlying issue. You are treating the symptom while the cause continues to spread across the roof.
When Jim assesses a Tipperary slate roof, nail sickness is the first thing he checks for — because the answer determines whether targeted repairs will genuinely serve you or whether a more comprehensive re-slating is the honest recommendation. If nail failure is widespread, we will tell you clearly and explain why. If it is isolated to one area, we will carry out a targeted repair and leave you with an honest picture of the rest of the roof's condition.
How do I know if my Tipperary slate roof has nail sickness?
The most common signs are slates that are slipping or falling despite being undamaged, multiple slates failing in a short period across different areas of the roof, and slates that move when gently tested at the edges. A professional inspection confirms whether nail failure is isolated or widespread — and that determination drives the right repair decision. Jim will assess your roof specifically for nail sickness during the free inspection.
Can you match the existing slates on my older Tipperary property?
In most cases yes — though the precision of the match depends on the type, age and source of the original slate. For standard Spanish or fibre cement slate, a close match is usually achievable. For older natural Welsh slate or very early Irish slate, the match may be approximate rather than exact, and we will discuss options honestly — including reclaimed slate where matching is a priority.
My slate roof was repaired a few years ago and is leaking again — why?
Recurring leaks on a repaired slate roof almost always indicate that the previous repair addressed the visible surface symptom rather than the underlying cause — either nail failure continuing to spread, a flashing that was not properly replaced, or a valley that was patched rather than fully repaired. We carry out thorough assessments before agreeing any repair to ensure the root cause is addressed.
How long does a natural slate roof last in Tipperary?
A well-installed natural slate roof using quality Welsh or premium Spanish slate can last well over a hundred years with proper maintenance. The limiting factor is almost never the slates themselves — it is the nails, battens, underlay and flashings that determine the practical lifespan of the roof as a whole. Regular inspection and prompt repair of the secondary elements significantly extends the life of any Tipperary slate roof.
Do you re-slate older farmhouses in rural Tipperary?
Yes. We carry out full and partial re-slating on traditional farmhouses, rural cottages and older period properties throughout County Tipperary. We source appropriate matching materials and carry out all associated ridge, chimney and flashing work as part of the same project.
Individual Slate Replacement
Where a small number of slates have cracked, slipped or been displaced by storm damage, individual replacement is the most straightforward and cost-effective repair. We source matching replacement slates and fix them correctly using non-corrosive copper or stainless steel nails.
Nail Sickness Assessment and Re-Slating
Where nail failure is confirmed across a significant area of the roof, a targeted re-slating of the affected section — or a full roof re-slating where failure is widespread — is the right course of action. We strip the affected area, assess the battens and underlay beneath, replace what requires replacing and re-slate using quality materials fixed with non-corrosive fixings that will not repeat the same failure pattern.
Ridge and Hip Repairs
Failed ridge tile mortar is one of the most common issues on older Tipperary slate roofs — hardening, cracking and eventually crumbling under freeze-thaw stress until ridge tiles become loose and vulnerable to storm displacement. We repoint and rebed loose ridge tiles and replace damaged sections to a high standard.
Lead Valley and Flashing Repairs
Lead valleys and flashings on older Tipperary slate roofs have a finite lifespan — typically forty to sixty years in normal conditions. When they corrode, crack or pull away from the masonry, water enters at a primary junction and the damage follows. We carry out lead valley and flashing repairs and replacements that restore full weatherproofing at the most critical points on the roof.
Full Re-Slating
Where a roof has reached the end of its serviceable life — through widespread nail failure, extensive slate deterioration or a combination of both — a full re-slating is the most practical and cost-effective long-term solution. We strip the entire covering, install new breathable membrane underlay, replace battens where required, and re-slate with quality materials appropriate for the property and its location in Tipperary.
We offer a comprehensive range of roofing services in Tipperary and the surrounding counties. Whatever your roofing needs, Doherty Roofing has you covered.
Doherty Roofing is a fully insured, family-run roofing company based in Limerick. Led by Jim Doherty, we provide expert roof repairs, new roof installations, flat roofs, guttering and more across Limerick, Clare and Tipperary. Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote.
CRO Business Registration Number: 782030
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