TOPIC: Asphalt T over 2 asphalt 3 tab over slate

Ian buddy this pic is for you. original slate, 2 layers of asphalt and an Interlocking T that I would not use on an out house.

When I look at again there may be 3 layers of asphalt in that roofing sandwich!!

A very common roofing practice here in the Cleveland area.

Zoiks!! I just will never understand how a roofer, or anyone for that matter,  thinks that the structure can properly support all that extra weight. I do see a home every now and then with too many layers, but they are few and far between, and usually in bfe, where there is no enforcement of anything. That is a beautiful pic btw David.

I think I can see 5 layers there as well, now that I looked a little closer.

Wow, plus add a few feet of heavy snow to that and you have a big problem.

Yeah, I just don't get it. I mean, yeah it's a house and should be strong. But people just never think of the extra weight when they decide to add another layer. They just think of how much work they saved themselves by not tearing it off, sit back and have beer. Frustrates me sometimes, it really does. This is one of the things I hate having to explain to a client. Because it can really affect the structure, and a lot of times, those affects don't present themselves until after you take all this extra weight off.

As least this house is designed for slate (supposedly anyways.) How would a fella go about shingling over a slate roof? And again, and again.

As Bert says how would a fella (aka roofer) go about shingling over a slate roof. In other words how  (the hell)did they fasten a comp roof to slate. David you were there , what fastening technique did they use?
Ian what does Zoiks mean? Is that like a Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers cheesehead word? Ya'll will never get over Bret Favre will you?
David,you say it's a very common practice in your area (Ohio)to cover over these slate roofs. Even though I'm in Texas now i grew up in Pennsylania and left in the seventies. I never appreciated the beautiful architecture of homes built in the 1800's in my home town of PA until I went back to visit in 1990's. I walked the streets in amazement at the homes now marked as historical landmarks, with plaques on the homes with year built and original owner. many of these homes had slate roofs. So being in Texas now I don't have any experiencs with the old slate roofs. But i do remember the slate roofs in PA which are probably of the time frame of your Ohio homes. They weren't covered over with other roofing. Why would anyone cover up the slate roofs w/ comp roofs, aren't the slate roofs lifetime roofs? Plus the slate roof does look awesome. Lot's of wondering here.
One other note, the sidewalks in the older parts of my home town in PA were also out of slate.