With slate roofing, nail holes are usually found _______ of the length down from the top of the slate.

With slate roofing, nail holes are usually found _______ of the length down from the top of the slate.

• A. 1/4
• B. 1/3
• C. 1/2
• D. 3/4

Answer: (B)

Nailing slate shingles is done in a spot that balances securing the tile with protecting it from cracking. Placing the nail hole about one-third of the way down from the top edge keeps the fastener out of the brittle lower portion where drilling a hole could cause cracking, and it positions the hole where the next course will partly cover it, helping to prevent water intrusion. If the hole were placed too close to the top, the slate is more prone to splitting when you drive the nail or with temperature movement; if it were placed too low, the tile is more vulnerable to wind uplift and potential leakage because the nail would be in a less favorable zone. So, one-third down from the top is the standard, reliable location.

Nailing slate shingles is done in a spot that balances securing the tile with protecting it from cracking. Placing the nail hole about one-third of the way down from the top edge keeps the fastener out of the brittle lower portion where drilling a hole could cause cracking, and it positions the hole where the next course will partly cover it, helping to prevent water intrusion. If the hole were placed too close to the top, the slate is more prone to splitting when you drive the nail or with temperature movement; if it were placed too low, the tile is more vulnerable to wind uplift and potential leakage because the nail would be in a less favorable zone. So, one-third down from the top is the standard, reliable location.