Repairing your roof’s tiles is essential; if you leave your tiles unchecked, you are inviting extensive damage to your home. The damages caused by damage to tiles can impact the entire house and cost you thousands.
Because of this, you need to familiarise yourself with all the critical details of roof tile repair.
Continue our guide for details on everything you should know before repairing your roof’s tiles, including types of roof tile damage, roof repair tips and more.
What Types of Roof Tile Damage Must You Be Aware of?
You only need to arrange a repair for your roof’s tiles if you find damage, but what kind of damage should you look for?
Here are the key things that can cause damaged tiles.
Cracks in the Roof Tiles
Cracked and broken may not seem like the most significant problem, but they can lead to massive damage from water leaks.
The most common cause of cracked tiles is damage from falling debris like tree branches and leaves. If you have any trees hanging over the roof, cut the branches back to avoid this kind of damage. Always check for fallen debris after extreme weather events like heavy storms and high winds.
Temperature fluctuations in your area can also cause damage to the tiles because they can expand and contract consistently, which causes cracks.
Missing Tiles
As well as cracking them, extreme weather can loosen the tiles altogether. Gaps in between tiles leaves the roof more vulnerable to a roof leak. A leaking roof is the instigator of massive damage like rot and structural decay.
Another cause of missing tiles is not installing them correctly. You should hire a roof tile replacement and repair specialist if you don’t have the knowledge or experience.
Wear and Tear
Wear and tear can originate from weathering over time. For example, tiles can show signs of wear after consistent exposure to rain or sunlight. They can also wear down after prolonged exposure to freezing weather.
How Can You Work Out if You Need to Book a Roof Repair for Your Tiles?
If you realise that you need a roof repair after seeing rot or massive damage to your home’s structure, you are too late.
Therefore, you must know how you can check if you need a roof repair or replacement.
Here are three key ways to determine if you need tile roof repairs.
Arrange a Roof Repair if You See Leaking Water in Your House
It can be challenging to arrange leaking roof repairs in time, but there are some key signs.
- Stains on the ceiling are a critical sign that you need a leaking roof repair.
- Visible water on the floors.
- Mould growing on the walls or ceiling.
Check for Visible Roof Damage
You can spot visible roof damage by conducting a roof inspection; you should do this regularly to check for new damage.
When you inspect your roof, check for broken and missing tiles and wear and tear.
Check Your Roof if You See an Increase in Energy Bills
Another way to check if you need to arrange a roof repair for your tiles is to check your energy bills. If there are cracks or missing tiles, your roof will have poor insulation, which your energy bills will reflect because of higher heating and cooling costs.
Top Tips For DIY Roof Repairs for Your Roof Tiles
When you know that you need tile roof repairs, you need to conduct the installation correctly to ensure you don’t cause further problems for your roof.
Here is what you must remember when repairing tiles on your roof.
What Do You Need to Repair Your Tiles
Roof restoration requires multiple tools and items to be successful; create a checklist of roofing equipment to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Here is what you need for a roof restoration on your tiles:
- New tiles to replace the broken tiles.
- Safety equipment like a hard hat, safety goggles and gloves.
- Cement to stick the tiles on the roof.
- A chisel and hammer for removing old tiles neatly and safely.
- Screws or nails to secure the tiles.
- A wire brush to clean old cement and debris.
Our Guide for Minor Roof Repairs
While we recommend hiring a roofing specialist for major roof repairs like a fullroof restoration, you can do minor repairs yourself. Here are our top tips for minor roof repairs:
- Identify what is causing damage and the extent of it.
- Remove the broken tiles with a chisel.
- Place the new tiles, ensuring that you perfectly align them.
- Use roofing nails to secure the tiles.
- Check that the surrounding tiles are still in the correct place.
- Use a wire brush to clean up the debris.
How to Keep Yourself Safe During Roof Repairs
If you choose to repair your tiles yourself rather than hire a roof repair service, you should always keep safety in mind.
If it’s raining, you shouldn’t start the repair; only repair the tiles during dry weather to ensure stable footing.
You must also double-check that you have all the necessary safety equipment, like a roof ladder, safety gloves and a hard hat.
When Should You Call a Professional to Repair Your Roof Tiles?
While you can repair minor damage, some problems are too extensive and require roof repair services. For example, if you find massive structural damage or damages that need a roof replacement, you must contact roof repair services. You should also arrange roof leak repairs if you find leaking water in the house.
You also need to consider your own experience. For example, if you assess your tile roof and determine that it’s unsafe or too complex for your skill level, hire a professional for the roof restoration process.
How Much Do Roof Tile Repairs Cost?
The price of tiled roof repairs depends on several variables, including:
- The overall extent of the damage on your roof; this also means the space the damage covers.
- The type of tiles you use.
- How challenging it is to access the tiles.
- The cost of additional equipment and materials.
Depending on these factors, you can expect repair costs from $150 to over $1000.
How Do You Maintain Roof Tiles to Prevent Damage?
The key to maintaining your tiles is to inspect them consistently. You should inspect your roof twice a year.
When you inspect your tiles, look for cracks, expansion, missing tiles and wear and tear. You should also check the gutters for debris blockages.
Additionally, clean your roof a few times a year to prevent potential damage; you should clear debris like fallen branches and moss. If you see overhanging trees, trim them so branches can’t fall on the roof.
Final Thoughts on How to Repair Your Roof Tiles
In summary, roof tile repairs are critical if you want to protect your home from crippling damage like structural decay. There are some minor damages that you can repair yourself, but you should call a professional if you see extensive damage like leaking.
To prevent rot and leaks, you must maintain your roof two times a year and replace damaged tiles.
You can find more tips and tricks on protecting your roof on our extensive blog on Evo Building Products.