City of Pittsburgh
Slate roofs in Pittsburgh North Side
The North Side has some of the oldest slate roofs in Pittsburgh. Many homes here are close to 150 years old, and plenty still have their first slate.
Neighborhoods
- Allegheny West
- Manchester
- Central Northside
- Mexican War Streets
- East Allegheny / Deutschtown
- Allegheny Center
The homes and roofs here
Most homes are brick rowhomes and large Victorian houses packed close together. Roofs are often steep in front and low-slope in back. Shared party walls mean one roof meets the next, so flashing where roofs join matters a lot.
Common slate problems in Pittsburgh North Side
- Leaks where one rowhome roof meets the next along the party wall.
- Worn flashing and mortar at tall shared chimneys.
- Slipped slates from old nails that have rusted through.
- Mansard and dormer slate that is hard to reach on narrow streets.
Permits and historic rules
This area is inside the City of Pittsburgh. If your home sits in a City historic district or is a designated landmark, visible roof changes may need review before work starts. Like-for-like slate repair is often simpler than changing materials. Use the Historic Roof Checker to see what may apply.
Use the Historic Roof CheckerRepairs often needed here
Questions from Pittsburgh North Side homeowners
- My neighbor shares my roof line. Does that change the repair?
- It can. A leak near the party wall may start on either side. A good assessment looks at both sides of the joint from safe spots and explains which roof the water is coming from.
- Is my North Side home in a historic district?
- Several North Side neighborhoods are City historic districts, but not every street. Check with the Historic Roof Checker or the City before planning visible changes.