Roof Tile Defects

We ve put together a few of the most common roof defects problems we find with roofs on surveys so you have a better idea of what you should be looking out for.

Roof tile defects.

The common failures on clay tile roofs include cracked broken tiles spalling in freezing climates loose tiles that slide down out of place on roofs where not every tile is secured to the roof deck flashing failures corrosion or cracking and fastener failures. These cracked tiles are then at a greater risk of falling off the roof which will leave the felt underneath exposed to the elements. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. Moss attracts birds which feed off it and can damage the tiles in the process.

This type of tile is called pan and cover. Typically before 1890 nineteenth century roofs often contained narrow rafters. One of the first problems that come with concrete roof tiles is their sheer weight. When compared to other roofing materials like asphalt clay composite and metal concrete roof tiles are significantly heavier.

Concrete tiles can weight anywhere from 820 to 1 1100 pounds per 100 square feet which is all weight that goes on top of a home. Slipped broken slates or tiles. Some roof leaks are tough to locate. Common roof defects concrete tile concrete tile is seen in many of the same shapes as clay tile and are normally found in flat or curved categories.

Most manufacturers offer a 50 year warranty for their products. Roofs can also become defective due to other defective elements of a building such as a failing load bearing wall. This demonstrates the advantages of slate hooks in lieu of copper strips when replacing lost slates. There are a number of reasons why a roof may be defective.

It can occur from the early stages such as poor design and construction to poor maintenance. Roof tiles not slate repaired using copper strips the strip ends holding tiles have been bent back by sliding snow expect movement leaks and extensive nail failures. In this photo not only are tiles cracked broken and displaced but mortar has crumbled and collected in the pan tiles that form water channels. Individual slates or tiles can suffer breaking or cracking.

This defect also occurs on slate roofs repaired using this method. Eventually this will cause the bond between clay and mortar to fail and tiles will become displaced another sign of old tile. Poor design damp penetration and failure of the roof covering which we sometimes see in out house surveys in london. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures.

Cracked tiles can also occur after water or snow on the roof freezes and expands. Poor designs found in pitched roofs inadequately sized members.