SLATE ROOF INSTALLATION COURSE
SLATE ROOF REPAIR/RESTORATION COURSE
Apply to become an SRCA authorized course instructor and/or seminar presenter!

"My crew and I are all experienced roofers, but I felt a project of this scale required some additional training. The Slate Roofing Contractors Association (SRCA) offers slate roofing training courses . . . The hands-on training proved invaluable, and after an intensive and informative class, we were ready for our first whole-house slate project." Andrew Grace, Fine Homebuilding #296 – December 2020/January 2021
Instructors are independent contractors authorized to deliver SRCA training courses and seminars.
Contact the instructors directly to inquire about their availability and costs.
CHAD BRANDON
(Course Instructor and Seminar Presenter)
J.S. Held LLC, Contact: Chad Brandon, 1845 Walnut St. #2300, Philadelphia, PA 191039; Cell: 610-816-9106; Email
GARY HOWES
Durable Slate Company, 3933 Groves Rd., Columbus, OH 43232; Ph: 800-666-7445; Fax: 614-299-7100; www.durableslate.com; Email
KORBY GRIST
Grist Slate and Tile Roofing, Inc., 1345 Ravens View Drive, Victoria, BC, V9B 6P7 Canada; Ph: 250-727-3611; Fax: 250-727-3612; Contact Person: Korby Grist; Email
ORION JENKINS
Jenkins Slate Masters, Contact: Orion Jenkins, 298 Old Beech Road, Grove City PA 16127; Ph: 814-786-7496; Email
JOE JENKINS
(Course Instructor and Seminar Presenter)
Joseph Jenkins, Inc., 143 Forest Lane, Grove City PA 16127; Ph: 814-786-9085; Fax: 814-786-8209; Email
JOHN MAHAN
Mahan Slate Roofing Company, Contact: John Mahan, PO Box 2860, Springfield, MA 01101; Ph: 413-788-9529; Toll free: 800-347-9529; Fax: 413-737-3002, Email
NICK PRICE
Stevens Roofing Corp., Contact: Nicholas Price, Vice-President; 818 West 39th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508; Ph: 757-489-8791; Fax: 757-489-8649; Email
Want to present SRCA seminars to groups?
Apply to become an SRCA authorized course instructor and/or seminar presenter!

The installation of natural quarried roofing slates, although not rocket science, is different from the installation of other roofing materials. The devil is in the details. This PowerPoint presentation provides the basic information one would need to be informed about correct slate roof installation practices. Language is English.

Natural quarried slate roofs can last upwards of 200 years if properly maintained, depending on the type of slate. Even the worst looking older slate roofs may be highly restorable with decades of remaining life. This seminar explains how to repair and restore slate roofs and how to keep them maintained and water-tight in emergency conditions when needed. Seminar Level is Introductory. Language is English.

Natural roofing slates have many benefits over artificial alternatives, including beauty, durability, and architectural integrity. Slate is an ecologically-friendly, recyclable natural stone containing no plastic, petroleum, or asbestos. It is available throughout the world in many shapes, thicknesses, and colors. Many installation styles and methods allow slate roofing to become a form of art. Durability can last into the centuries and installation is not rocket science. Fake look-alike materials can fail prematurely and become an architectural blight. This presentation covers these issues and more. Course Level: Introductory. Language: English

There are only a few reasons why new slate roof installations fail. All of the reasons are easily avoidable. This seminar reviews the most common problems occurring with slate roof installations, their causes, and their remedies. Seminar Level: Introductory. Language: English


This course combines approximately 3 hours of classroom instruction with approximately 5 hours of hands-on training on a roof mockup. Based largely on the SRCA's "Installation Guidelines for Natural Quarried Roofing Slate," the course covers the basic installation standards, information, and procedures for correctly and successfully installing natural slate on roofs. You will be cutting, punching, and trimming natural slates using a variety of tools specific to the trade. You will be nailing roofing slates to a wood deck with copper nails and integrating the slates with various flashings, including step flashings, valley flashings, apron flashings, and ridge copper. The course is limited to 4 students on a mockup. The courses are administered by instructors who are independent contractors approved by the SRCA board of directors. The rates are set by the instructors, who are listed on the SRCA website at SlateRoofers.org. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a "Certificate of Completion" from the SRCA. Disclaimer: This course is of an introductory nature only and is not intended to fully prepare a student to be competent in all aspects of slate roof installation.


This hands-on course is provided by an approved SRCA instructor and includes approximately four hours of classroom time and four hours of work on a roof mockup. It covers the repair of slate roofs, restoration work on slate, and slate roof maintenance, including temporary and emergency repairs. Students are provided with three course books: the 146 page course manual, the 132 page "Slate Roofs 1926," and the 374 page hardcover "Slate Roof Bible." An SRCA "Certificate of Completion" will be issued to students who complete the course. Language: English Disclaimer: This course is of an introductory nature only and is not intended to fully prepare a student to be competent in all aspects of slate roof repair and restoration.
SRCA Slate Roof Installation Guidelines: PDF or Word Document
Spanish: Directrices Generales Instalación Pizarras: PDF or Word Document
SRCA Slate Roof Repair and Restoration Guidelines PDF or Word Document
Here's on one minute video clip showing the training group at the 2015 SRCA Conference:
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