slate roofing issues noted in survey

Does using hooks mean not nailing the slates to the batten?

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Exactly that. The hooks locate the top bottom and sides of each slate, and each slate is retained top and bottom. One hook to fix per slate. They're black finished stainless steel.

mrrusty said:

Here's some of my slating

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See those two holes in every slate, about 3/5ths the way up? They're for the copper nails to go through to hold the slate onto the batten..

Battens wise, use the blue ones next time and consider 25mm rather than 19..

Yes, surveyor did a terrible job, full of cut and paste.

See those two holes in every slate, about 3/5ths the way up? They're for the copper nails to go through to hold the slate onto the batten..

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Well I never knew that.... When you use hooks you can use unpunched slates, or just leave the holes - they are not needed (1st courses, verges etc still have to be nailed). The battens are SIG roofing 25 x 50 https://www.sigroofing.co.uk/timber/

All slates have mineral inclusions. Some are non rusting .
In this case , it does mean possibly a low grade slate.
Batten colour does not indicate batten quality .
Natural slate on batten one would used 25x50 up to 600 rafter spacing.
On the sea front in the south we have hooked and nailed natural slate to avoid storm damage

mrrusty said:

If it's new build and you are buying off the builder, I would be sending those images to their marketing team and telling them you'll be posting them on their social media pages if they don't re-do the roof. That's just awful.

Here's some of my slating, and I'm DIY!!

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Looks good? send me your C.V.

From what you've described, the survey findings don't automatically suggest a serious structural problem. Two raised slates, a couple of cracked corners, and a localized uneven area on a natural slate roof are often signs of installation or finishing issues rather than evidence of roof-frame movement or major defects.

One thing that stands out is that the surveyor appears to have assumed the property was older and that the roof was made from artificial slate. If that's the case, some of the comments and recommendations may be based on a misunderstanding of the property's age and roofing material. Surveyors also tend to be cautious and frequently recommend a roof inspection whenever they identify any visible imperfections.

That said, it would still be sensible to have the builder explain why those specific slates are raised and whether the uneven section is purely cosmetic or requires adjustment. Getting that response in writing would provide extra reassurance before completing the purchase.

An independent slate roofing specialist could also give a more objective assessment. Contractors such as Covenant Roofing & Restoration regularly inspect slate roofs and can help identify whether issues are cosmetic, installation-related, or something more significant. You can discover more about the types of slate roof concerns professionals typically evaluate.

Overall, the report sounds more consistent with localized workmanship concerns than a major structural issue.

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