A tile roof, properly maintained, can last up to 100 years.
Because tile roofs are so durable, their number one threat isn’t weather—it’s neglect. To ensure your roof ‘s long life, perform regular check-ups at least once a year, especially after major weather events like thunderstorms and seasonal events like heavy snow. You can discover most trouble spots with an easy check-up inside the house, outside the house, and with a periodic visit from a roofing expert.
Inside Check
You can learn a surprising amount about the condition of your tile roof from the inside. You’ll want to inspect your ceilings and attic for three things:
- Moisture
- Check your ceilings for water rings.
- Check your attic for damp insulation and/or musty smells (if you can safely access it)
- Light
- Check your attic for sun shafts.
- Dark Spots
- If you see dark spots on the inside of your attic, it could be mold or fungus on the decking material.
If you find any of the above, your tile roof is no longer completely waterproof, and you likely have damaged, missing tiles, or a compromised flashing.
Outside Check
You can easily perform a visual inspection of your tile roof from the ground. During this inspection, you’ll want to look for the following:
- Damaged or missing tiles
- Due to the uniform nature of tile roofs, damaged or missing tiles are easy to spot, but if just one or two are missing or damaged, they can be easy to ignore. Don’t. One missing tile is all water needs to turn a simple repair into an expensive replacement.
- Storm debris and overhanging tree limbs
- Debris and tree limbs hide roof damage and cause future damage in the next storm. Clear these out before they become a problem.
- Clogged gutters
- Look for debris poking out of the gutters, and check downspouts for roofing materials like nails and tile pieces. Clogged gutters can contribute to rot. They can even result in damage to your foundation when they can’t move water away from the house.
Professional Check
You’ll want to schedule an inspection from a roofing professional every two to three years. They’ll be able to get on the roof without damaging the tile (one of the many reasons you avoid going onto your roof yourself) and find any concerns before they become problems.
Is your tile roof due for an inspection? We at Go Roof Tune Up only work with screened, professional tradespeople, and our consultations are free. Please contact us to learn more about preserving your tile roof.
