Slate Roof Restoration & Replacement - Heritage Buildings
Welsh Slate - Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay
The Coast Hospital featuring its welsh slate roof commenced operations in 1881 and was renamed Prince Henry in 1934. The photo shows one of the old wards. In 1998 it was dedicated as a Centre of Excellence for Aged Care and Rehabilitation and the former hospital buildings underwent a program of restoration involving re-roofing all the buildings with new Penrhyn slate.
The re-roofing program commenced in 2004; many of the slates on the southern side of the original building were in good condition despite their age. However, trapped moisture under the northern side of the roof caused battens to rot and the slate to decay on the underside. It is evidence that good ventilation is vital to achieve slate longevity.
