mounting systems for welsh slate roof

[Markc]

He said he sell's lots of them and has known them to be used on a multitude of different roof structures. I mentioned the "big debate" on here and he wasn't surprised. It's in powering trust into the rubber washer which he said is the issue. Obviously from their construction they are designed to be water proof and be drilled through the finish roof structure. Can be used on slate, metal roofs, flat roofs and others. He recommended use on a fixed material rather than a movable one like pan tile. He also said other installers use the same method as described in earlier posts, so it seems its a case of having some faith in the product. An idea he put to me to sell it to a concerned client is to fix one though the bottom of a lunch box or Tupperware box as a sample and then fill the box with water. Seems a fairly easy thing to demonstrate..........unless it leaks!!!

I also questioned the issue on build regs on the size of the bolt. He did agree the 10% rule but hasn't come up against issues regarding that point so far. We discussed the possibility of applying additional timber to side brace the rafter and fix into that rather than the rafter itself. I will be seeing a build inspector next week on a different job so may ask the question to him and see what his take is.

My opinion now see it is, it looks like it will do the job. Still not looking forward to our first slate roof job but fortunately not to many of them are around this way.

 

[GPack]

Thanks Mark. Some fair points. I Like the idea of fixing a length of timber to the rafter to avoid issues with building regs. It'll be really interesting to see what the building inspector thinks about it. I think after that meeting you will have gone a long way to exhausting all aspects of this type of fixing and should be in a good position to advise future customers. Would love to know what he thinks.

 

[Martin Dawes]

Thanks for the pictures, Mark. I think it'll definitely be the method I use on our slate tile PV installs.

Regarding the 10% rule, it is possible to use bigger fixings but you must supply engineer calculations to prove that it won't affect the roof structure too much. We had to take this route on an unusual loft conversion where we had no choice but to drill holes for cable runs.

 

[JulianC]

Been looking into slate roof mounting methods again briefly today and found these hooks:
Solar PV roof fixing slate - £9.99 : Solar PV Systems, The Best Online Store
The benefit from my point of view is that we can standardise on the K2 mounting rails that we use for concrete tile roofs as they are part of the same range.

I am still unsure on the hanger bolts. Neat as they undoubtedly are, I can't ignore our roofer's opinion. Also just read that the flex inherent in the bolts (quite normal) can, over time, stress or crack the slates. Not seen any proof of this though. Oh, I dunno!....

 

[GPack]

Hey, I got my first call today to install a system. Went around to have a chat and take a look at its suitablity and came across asbestos slates. Like welsh slates but asbestos!
Any ideas if these are okay to work on? The building is an old cobb cottage. Chap says it may have had a thatch before these tiles were put on. I'm going to talk to a local roofer in a few days and will ask him what he thinks. Any one here had any experience with them. I can't believe having worked out how to deal with welsh slate I get interest from someone with asbestos slate! Unbelievable!

 

[JulianC]

Funnily enough, our first slate roof job was initially suspected to be asbestos tiles (householder thought they were). Our roofers went up and had a look and confirmed they weren't. However, had they been asbestos our guys would have had to have gone up 'suited and booted' and taken extra care of any waste (double bagging and taping etc) and all manner of other asbestos related H&S requirements. The slates themselves don't present any problems unless they're damaged, or get damaged during the course of the work. The upshot was the job would have taken longer and cost a lot more!

 

[GPack]

Hey MarkC. Would you mind telling me who your supplier is? I hope to get a few quotes from MCS accredited suppliers for a PV system. I was thinking about just sending out a quote request to all the suppliers and seeing what comes back. How did you go about finding your supplier? Also apparently the roof that I thought might be asbestos tile is cement siding. I think this is still a product that can be used legally but I'm pretty sure it does contain asbestos.

 

[Markc]

When it comes to the possible presences of Asbestos there is no other way in knowing than getting it tested. NO ONE can visually confirm the lack or presence of Asbestos and that statement came direct form a very good family friend who works with asbestos every day.

The cost of sample testing is so negotiable it isn't worth not testing. Better to know for certain than have a doubt over what some one said. If you are working on an Asbestos material you will have a duty of care over ALL the other occupants and trades working or being around that area so if its is discovered you were negligent in having a material tested you could find yourself in trouble. It is also the duty of the property owner to inform you of the presence of Asbestos if they know its there. As for removal of it, it must be done by a licensed contractor. Not a job I would perform myself. Not worth the risk.

As for my suppliers we use lots. Look about on line and call them, not just email, they all want the business and I found the call got more response than the emails. finding a good supplier is something you will have to put the leg work into as its as much about forming a working relationship as anything else.

 

[JulianC]

When it comes to the possible presences of Asbestos there is no other way in knowing than getting it tested. NO ONE can visually confirm the lack or presence of Asbestos and that statement came direct form a very good family friend who works with asbestos every day.

Depends on the circumstances. ie. from ground level impossible to tell, up a ladder - definitely slate. That's the extent of the testing our blokes did and it was enough.

 

[GPack]

Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[mitchelj00]

Hi all,

They can be found online from a Goggle search. They supply and install and have a eco education centre with a slate roof with PV on it. Worth a try.

 

[dansk]

Hi,

First post here - i cam accross this thread as im still not comfortuble with slate, ive done a slate roof and my way of doing it was drilling through and coach bolting an aluminium bracket with lead flashing over. I watch another companys website as they post photos each week of there jobs and on the last one it was slate and it looks like they use a pantile bracket bolted to the rafter and flashed over, they must cut the slate to fit.

 

[solar smart]

Welsh slate & yorkshire stone. The best way is inroof strip it and fit it but thats because i like the roofing aspect and that when i walk away from the install i know there will be no leaks in years to come and dont mention sealants on roofs as they dont work. If you need to use sealant you have not installed the gromit properly and it will leak in the future but if the anchor bolt is installed properly square of the slate and tightened down properly it will be ok. Thin brittle slate - you are better using the in roof kit but that could make you less competitive so back to plain tile brackets, lead flashed in and slate cut to suit.can give you pictures to see what you think just drop a line

 

[SolarCity]

Hi Solar Smart, I'd love to see those pictures if you've got them available?

 

[dansk]

me too please.

 

[buzzbuzz]

I drill a pilot hole with a 2mm drill bit and from the outside drill the hanger bolt into the joist!

I think this is a great idea for locating the position of the bolt. But one thing is confusing me....Do you drill squarely through the entire depth of the joist (4 inches, say) and then through the slate, or in through the side of the joist at an angle? It seems that you'd need a very long drill bit to drill squarely up through the joist and 2mm is a bit thin. Anyone got any ideas?

Buzz

 

[Pea Vee]

Mark,
We have just taken on our 1st slate roof install. OK with hanger bolts but where do you get the epdm rubber glands..?
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Worcester]

Check out what Baxi recommend for installing their thermal panels

http://www.baxi.co.uk/docs/Baxi_Sol...t_Plate_Solar_Collector_Mounting_36005977.pdf

If your going to use hanger bolts, this method satetment looks probably like the best you'll get. (Slate starts on page 12)
Now, why don't all the PV mounting system providers, panel makers, etc provide information as comprehensive as this?

The edpm rubber glands should come with the hanger bolts, - check with your supplier.

 

[pembrokeshire]

Lead looks ok

 

[Energetic]

I don't want to restart this debate but when using hangerbolts on a slate roof with no loft access, ie loft conversion, no visible rafters or nails at the facias, how does one find the rafters to fix to? You would need to be pretty accurate surely. Is there a scanning tool to locate them from above?