Can SolVe Mount be used on thick heavy slate roofs?

Yes, the SolVe Mount is compatible with heavy slate roofs. For slates thicker than standard, you'll need to raise the seal height to ensure proper compression.

What is the mounting zone for heavy slate?

The recommended mounting zone for heavy slate is 0-20mm from the overlapping tile edge. This shorter zone accounts for the thicker material.

Are there any limitations when installing on heavy slate?

For slates thicker than 10mm, do not install on a join. A solution for join installations is planned for Q1 2026.

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MCS_012 3.0 Certified

SolVe MountSolar Mounting for heavy slate roofs

Fire Safety compliant roof mounting. Airtight VMQ seal, no open air void in the roof — the fire rating is preserved. MCS 012 3.0 certified.

EASYFASTSTRONGLOW PROFILECompatible with heavy slate roofs.

SolVe Mounts installed on heavy slate roof — no tiles removed

Installation Difficulty

Quick

The Rafter Finder may struggle to detect the rafter through the increased tile thickness — switch to neodymium magnets to locate the rafter line if needed. Once located, the installation is very straightforward: core, pre-drill, fix. Twist the seal upwards to raise it above the thicker slate surface, then tighten the nut until the seal expands to the edge of the cap.

Last Updated: May 2026

Key Takeaways

MCS_012 3.0 Certified (Certificate BBA 7460) for heavy slate installations
Adjustment required: Raise seal height using washers for thicker slates
Mounting zone: 0-20mm from the overlapping slate
Limitation: If thicker than 10mm per slate - avoid installing on joins (solution Q1 2026)

Material Pedigree

The Seal Trusted Where Failure Isn't an Option

When failure means a downed aircraft or a breached reactor, engineers choose VMQ silicone. SolVe Mount uses the same seal material family — proven across six decades in environments that make a British roof look trivial.

Space

International Space Station

Docking port seals and habitat pressure boundaries — where a single failure breaches a pressurised environment in orbit.

Aviation

Boeing · Airbus · Rolls Royce

Pressure cabin door seals, jet engine assemblies, and aircraft fuel systems — maintaining integrity through thousands of flight cycles from −60 °C to over 200 °C.

Nuclear

Power Generation

Containment gaskets in nuclear stations where chemical resistance and zero compression-creep are non-negotiable.

Defence

BAE Systems

Submarine pressure seals, naval vessel systems, and defence electronics requiring long-term environmental resistance.

No sealant, flashing, grinding or removing slate required. Just tighten a nut.

Installing on Heavy Slate

Heavy slate roofs, including Yorkshire slate and other thick natural slates, are prized for their exceptional durability - often lasting 150+ years. The SolVe Mount uses a 28mm diamond core to create a precise opening in the slate or 'working area' to access the rafter. Our expansion seal expands when compressed, pressing outwards on the walls of the core hole and expanding beyond, creating a permanent watertight barrier. Forces are channeled directly to the rafter, ensuring the slate itself carries no load.

Why washers are needed: Heavy slates are typically 6-9mm thick compared to standard slates at 4-6mm. The additional height means the expansion seal needs to be raised so that the correct amount of seal protrudes above the heavy slate roof surface (30-35mm). Standard stainless steel washers are use below the seal as spacers to achieve this - improvement to adjustability due Q1 2026.

Join limitations: For heavy slates thicker than 10mm, we recommend avoiding installation directly on joins between slates. This is because the thickness at joins can exceed the seal's optimal sealing range (20-25mm), avoiding a join guarantees at least one layer is perfectly sealed. A solution for avoiding joins is due Q1 2026.

How to install:
CORE - 28mm diamond core to create your 'working area' to access the rafter.
DRILL - Pre-drill using the drill guide provided.
FIX - Screw in the fully assembled SolVe Mount. Alternatively tighten once installed. Twist seal to raise the seal height for heavy slate.
DONE - Your MCS certified, IPX8 rated heavy slate roof mount is complete.

The SolVe Mount ensures no load is transferred to the heavy slate roof and creates a watertight seal that will outlive the roof covering.

Making solar installation simple, fast and repeatable. No heavy slate expertise required.

Unshrinkable Technology

Maintains a permanent 34-36mm expansion above and below the roof covering, ensuring no retreat or seal degradation over time.

172-Year Longevity

ASTM D395B testing confirms ~30% compression set after 172 years, preserving elasticity and waterproof "springiness."

Load Isolation

Forces are channeled directly to the rafter. The seal expands radially, exerting pressure only on the core hole walls, not the slate.

Triple-Seal Protection

Primary seal matches roof covering depth, augmented by upper and lower seals for 100% watertight confidence.

2D SolVe Mount Installation Animation

Close Up Installation Video Below

Related Roof Types

Slate & Composite Cambrian Slate Stone Roofs Rosemary Tiles Clay Plain Tiles Concrete Plain Tiles Concrete Interlocking Metrotile

Does the SolVe Mount Require Drilling Through Slate?

Official Distributor HDM Solar

UK distribution partner with branches across the country.

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