From: Working with Slate Roofs

[PFFA 0]

I have to agree with HFD23, I've been in the roofing business for over 20 year's,(side job), and without a doubt, a pitchfork is by far the easiest way of removing a slate roof.It's light weight,and the narrow fork's on them ,make it easier to slide it under the slate, and not get caught up on the nail head's as much.Slate, as we know is a relatively easy thing to break, start on the bottom of where you're going to make the roof opening, and get a good bite with the pitchfork, and snap as many of the slate as possible in one good push upward's, but be EXTREMELY careful as to where the slate will slide.Make sure no body is down on the ground under you.Slate is very sharp and will cut you very quickly.