The Slate Roofing Tools, Nails and Accessories You Need to Get the Job Done

A slate ripper is used to remove slate on a roof for easy repairs without breaking adjoining slates. With its 24 ½” long, thin blade, the ripper is slide underneath a piece of slate and hooked on the shaft of the nail that keeps it in place. Pulling downward or hitting the handle with a hammer, a nail can be cut off or pulled free from the roof deck. Once the existing slate and any debris is removed a replacement slate can be slid back into place and secured. This is considered an essential tool by a slate roofing contractor to successfully work on a natural slate roof. Designed as a one piece forged tool, it is destined to withstand the test of time.

The industry standard nail for installing a slate roof is 10-gauge, smooth shank copper nail. With a 27/64 head diameter (Inch) and 0.134 shank diameter (Inch), copper roofing nails have the longevity to last alongside your slate roof. Commonly 1 ¾” nails are used to install standard 1/4″-3/8” thick slate as slating nails should be long enough to penetrate the thickness of two layers of slate shingles and a minimum of 3/4″ into the wood decking or extend through plywood substrates. As a rule of thumb, slate roofing nails should be 2 times the thickness of the slate plus 1-inch. Example: 1/4″-3/8” slate thickness, x 2, + 1” = 1 ¾”. For hip and ridge slate details nails should be 1/2″ or longer than field slate nails.  In certain geographical areas including high velocity wind zones (HVWZ) and high velocity hurricane zones (HVHZ) ring shank copper slating nails will be required as they offer greater pull-out strength for extreme weather conditions. Alternatively, Type 304 and 316, corrosion resistant, stainless steel roofing nails offer a fastening advantage when penetrating hard wood roof substrates. 

North Country Slate stocks all the necessary slate roofing tools, nails and accessories to start and finish your project. From Do-it-yourself homeowners to experienced slate roofing contractors, you will find all the slate roofing tools and information required to keep your natural slate roof looking pristine and withstanding all the tests of nature. Professional “Slaters” and roofing contractors looking to gain more experience in natural slate can find all the traditional and commonly used slate roofing tools required: traditional slate hammer, restoration slate hammer, prime grip slate hammer, standard slate ripper, stake, heavy-duty slate trimmer and handheld slate cutter. North Country Slate’s experienced team can walk you through the use all these slate roofing tools for you to demo and test in our warehouse facility.

Just like a slate roof, slate tools are made to last! The majority of tools are comprised of forged steel to withstand high-stress applications where superior strength and reliability are critical. Modelled after European slate tools to be used for generations, North Country Slate stands behind all its tools when used and cared for correctly. Inspect tools regularly and store them in a dry, safe place to ensure your slate tools are always ready for the rooftop!