Reclaimed Welsh Slates - Can you re-use them if they have four holes?

[Oxbow16]

Hi all

 

I bought some 24x14 slates for a repair.  They mostly already have four holes.  Are they still ok to re-use?  I know I have to make new holes when fitting them.  

 

Just to add, the new holes will be lower as they're going on a roof with 20x12s.  I'm just using these at the abutment, where I'll cut them down to 20" in length, but needed the 2 extra inches to reach the wall.  They are a bit thicker mind, but being at the end I'm hoping they'll be ok (unless anyone thinks otherwise?).

 

There's also one slate with a diagonal crack/line visible on both sides.  It rings ok when tapped and seems sound.  Is it ok to use?  

 

Speaking of ringing, one clearly rattles when tapped, so won't use that.  The rest do ring and reverberate in the hand, but it's quite a low ring.  I've got other slates from another yard that ring higher and longer.  Is that normal?  

 

A link to some photos:

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dKah_oULvamtboKW9kKQ4Bcr-sDWaoMF?usp=sharing

 

Many thanks

[markc]

If the holes are at the top and your new holes are lower then no problem, or trim then to the required length so they lay with the others without kicking up

[Oxbow16]

Thanks for the reply.  I haven't got the old slates off yet, so not sure what the difference in nail hole placement will be.  I'd take a guess that the new nail holes will be around 50mm lower than the existing.  

 

Ta

[Oxbow16]

Anyone else with any thoughts on re-using these slates?  Should I look to buy better ones or do they look ok? 

 

Cheers 

 

 

[Triassic]

Don’t use the slate with the crack. It will come apart one winters day, once the ice forms in the crack.

 

Re-holing should  be fine, so long as the old holed are well covered by the slate above.