Tile is one of the most popular types of roofing materials. Tile roofs are famed for their unique charm and are water and decay resistant. They are energy efficient, durable, and exceptionally strong. Roofing tiles are good for soundproofing and can help create a conducive work environment. When appropriately maintained, tile roofs can easily last 50 years or more.
The Importance of Timely Tile Roof Repairs and Replacement
Over the years, the elements can take their toll on your tile roof. While your roof can last decades, you may still need to replace individual tiles or entire sections every few years. Damaged tiles should be repaired or replaced immediately, otherwise they may allow water to enter the structure underneath them. The resultant water damage can be very costly to fix. In a worst-case scenario, any delay in repairing damaged tiles can lead to severe, even irreversible structural damage.
How to Diagnose Tile Roof Damage
A common sign of tile roof damage is leakage and dark spots in the ceiling of the top floor or the attic. Another obvious sign of tile roof damage is sunlight passing through your tiles. Visually inspect your tile roof every three months. Walk around your property to look for missing tiles or fragments of tiles on the floor. Watch out for signs of rotting and mold. Check your chimneys, pipes, and vents to see if they are wearing out too quickly.
Fixing and Replacing Damaged Tiles
When replacing a roof tile, make sure the replacement matches the rest of the roof. A missing or damaged roof tile should be replaced with the same type. If a tile is damaged but capable of being repaired or salvaged, a temporary repair or fix can do the trick. To repair a damaged tile, cut out roofing felt pieces or stick a flashing strip on the damaged area using roofing adhesive.
Follow these steps to fix small holes or cracks in your tiles with plastic roofing cement:
- Cleaning: Using a wire brush, scrub the tile area to ensure a strong bond between the roofing cement and the tile. Get rid of debris and dust. Remove any residual water on the tile and let it dry.
- Filling: Fill the cracks and holes with plastic roofing cement. You can also use silicone caulk.
- Setting: Carefully spread plastic roofing cement to cover the surrounding areas.
- Smoothening: Using a trowel, smoothen the surface of your tiles. Let the cement harden.
Tile Roof Leaks
The sooner you fix roof leaks, the better. Putting off a roof leak repair can lead to more serious problems, including mildew & mold growth and water damage.
More often than not, leaks are caused by a damaged tile membrane. To fix leaks, you first need to identify the leakage area. Carry out a visual inspection. Look for signs of damage such as discolorations, watermarks, stains, and wet spots on the roof underside.
If you are still clueless about the leakage spot, use a hose to run some water over the roof and look for a leak spot. Mark the area using a thin wire passed through the spot or a nail. Once you have found the leak spot, lift the tile around the leakage area with a flat pry bar and fill the hole with roofing cement.
Replacing Roof Tiles
If a roof tile has a hole that is big and wide enough to affect its stability, it is damaged beyond repair and should be replaced. Follow these steps to replace a damaged roof tile:
- Pry up the tile or tiles just above the damaged tile. Be careful to avoid lifting them too far, or they can become damaged. Prop them using wood bricks.
- Lift the damaged tile. Take a wood piece and insert it below the tile. This will protect the tile below it from damage.
- Break the damaged tile using a flat bar or hammer. Carefully remove the broken tile pieces.
- Remove any nails holding the damaged tile using a flat bar.
- Spread tile roof cement along the underside, that is, the area covered by the tile.
- Slide the replacement into the area. Make sure it is not disturbing any of the surrounding tiles and is slotted in correctly in an overlapping position. Once the tile is secure, check for any noticeable gaps.
- Use adhesive, not nails, to hold the replaced tile in its place.
- Lower the raised tiles and put them back in their place.
- Hold the tiles in their place.
*A word of Caution: To repair or replace roof tiles, you must climb your roof, which is an inherently dangerous activity. Every year, thousands of DIY enthusiasts fall off a ladder and sustain grievous injuries while trying to climb their roof. However, even if you know how to correctly use a ladder and manage to climb your roof safely, you may walk on your roof carelessly, causing damage to the underlayment. Unless you know what you are doing, avoid taking unnecessary risks and contact a tile roofing company near you in Antioch for help.
Things to Consider When Choosing Roofing Tiles
There are several types of roofing tiles to choose from. Just because your neighbors or friends use a particular kind of roofing tile, do not automatically assume it is the right choice for you. Instead, assess your needs and decide if the option you are considering is the right fit.
Consider these factors when choosing roofing tiles.
- Your home’s architectural style
- Material durability
- Your budget
- Whether the material is energy efficient
- Local climate – whether the material you are considering can withstand it
Roof Tile Custom Specialists is a leading tile roofing company near you in Antioch. Our roofing experts know all there is to know about tile roofs. Their experience enables them to avoid mistakes and notice every detail. To learn more, call (925) 634-8700.