Cracking/popping noises from slate roof during cold nights

MrThrifty

Right, was getting really freaked out by this loud cracking/popping noise the last 2 nights coming from the attic or roof. Anyway, decided to investigate at 5am this morning and the noise was indeed coming from the slates themselves and not inside the attic. I searched this forum and have found two threads on the matter (e.g. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=63799113), where folk say this is totally normal and is due to water turning to ice under or between the natural slates.

But... I'm still not clear where exactly the noise comes from. As in why would some ice or any expansion of this under a slate cause any noise? Also, when I search the web I can't really find any discussion on it apart from that on boards. Is this just an Irish phenomenon?! How in the name of gdo do people sleep through the noise?!!

creedp

MrThrifty wrote: »

Right, was getting really freaked out by this loud cracking/popping noise the last 2 nights coming from the attic or roof. Anyway, decided to investigate at 5am this morning and the noise was indeed coming from the slates themselves and not inside the attic. I searched this forum and have found two threads on the matter (e.g. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=63799113), where folk say this is totally normal and is due to water turning to ice under or between the natural slates.

But... I'm still not clear where exactly the noise comes from. As in why would some ice or any expansion of this under a slate cause any noise? Also, when I search the web I can't really find any discussion on it apart from that on boards. Is this just an Irish phenomenon?! How in the name of gdo do people sleep through the noise?!!

Add to this popping noise the rattle of the slates during a windy night and you have a pretty high chance of serious orchestral manouvres in the dark during winter nights. The recent very windy weather has made sleeping in my house pretty disturbed particularly in one room in which the wind hits the slate side on and create an unbelievable racket. Luckily my young fella sleeps like a log, that is once I get him off!!

MrThrifty

creedp wrote: »

Add to this popping noise the rattle of the slates during a windy night and you have a pretty high chance of serious orchestral manouvres in the dark during winter nights. The recent very windy weather has made sleeping in my house pretty disturbed particularly in one room in which the wind hits the slate side on and create an unbelievable racket. Luckily my young fella sleeps like a log, that is once I get him off!!

Ha ha - had this problem too ourselves!! I fixed it but am worried I have created this new ice problem instead! My advice to anyone is never get a slate roof!

As a BTW, you'll usually find that rattling slates are often down to just a few loose slates. And by loose, I mean very loose. If you're in a dormer bungalow, I found the main offenders are usually at the point where the dormer peak meets the main roof or else the lowest row of tiles on a peak itself coz the tiles are usually not properly fixed in these areas and the wind also has to change course around them.

creedp

MrThrifty wrote: »

Ha ha - had this problem too ourselves!! I fixed it but am worried I have created this new ice problem instead! My advice to anyone is never get a slate roof!

As a BTW, you'll usually find that rattling slates are often down to just a few loose slates. And by loose, I mean very loose. If you're in a dormer bungalow, I found the main offenders are usually at the point where the dormer peak meets the main roof or else the lowest row of tiles on a peak itself coz the tiles are usually not properly fixed in these areas and the wind also has to change course around them.

When you say 'fixed it' what do you mean ... I presume is requires so kind of physical dexterity on a roof!!

MrThrifty

creedp wrote: »

When you say 'fixed it' what do you mean ... I presume is requires so kind of physical dexterity on a roof!!

Bingo...