Concrete tile roofs are beautiful. They’re also long-lasting and durable but just like any other roof they can develop problems. Spotting and carrying out concrete tile roof repairs early can help you keep your roof in good shape and save thousands of dollars on replacing it.
Homeowners are often tempted to perform small repairs themselves; although we don’t recommend this as there is always the danger of falling off the roof. However, if you feel that you have sufficient knowledge and the ability to carry out the necessary repairs, then take a moment to look at 5 common mistakes which homeowners often make, so that you can avoid them.
Not replacing like with like
In your rush to carry out concrete tile roof repairs, it’s quite easy not to give sufficient thought to the type of tile you’re replacing another with. Not only does it need to be the same type of concrete, but it also needs to be the same colour. Ignore either of these criteria, and your replacement tile will stand out like a sore thumb. Not only will it look awful, but the tile itself may not click into place with the others, which means your house is exposed.
Taking tiles from other areas of the roof
Some of the ‘quick fix’ tips you find on the internet may suggest you take a concrete tile from a place on your roof that’s hidden out of view and use that as a replacement tile. You should never do this under any circumstances, as not only is it lazy, but it’s likely to cost you more in the long run as this will leave another part of your roof exposed.
Top tip: Keep a supply of 8-10 roof tiles in your garage as spares. Should a roof tile break, all you have to do is remove the broken piece or pieces and slot a brand-new tile in its place.
Being too forceful
Getting a concrete roof tile of its place isn’t as easy as it sounds. You can use a tool like a crowbar to gently lever it out, but it’s important to take care when doing so. If you’re too forceful with the crowbar you could end up breaking another tile or even causing one or two tiles to go flying across your roof. Just apply the pressure you need to.
Not looking at the bigger picture
When carrying out concrete tile roof repairs, never assume that a damaged or broken tile is just a one-off. We know from experience that there is always a reason for a tile to get damaged. It could be due to inclement weather or there may be a fault with your roof itself. Always check the tiles closest to the damaged one, as this could alert you to a larger problem and save the need and expense of replacing more tiles in the near future.
Not watching your step
You may be so focused on replacing a single broken tile that you fail to take into account other factors relating to your roof. One of the biggest dangers is yourself. You can do a lot of damage when you aren’t watching where you’re placing your feet and thinking about the effect the weight of your body is having on your roof tiles. Try not to place your weight directly onto a tile as this can cause it to break while you’re replacing the broken one.
To be sure of avoiding all of these mistakes, why not contact a professional to carry out your concrete tile roof repairs. The Roofman has 25 years of experience, is fully licensed, and experienced in all aspects of roof repair. Call us today on 0410 452 234.