Unlike a roof system that is appropriate for a flat or low sloped structure that is a water-tight membrane, a watershed is simply a system that carries water from one component to the next until the water flows off the roof and onto the ground. Clay roof tile can be susceptible to leaks which are caused by various problems with the installation methods, tile itself, and age. Counter flashing is an older flashing technique and requires constant maintenance by re-fastening and re-sealing the top wall cut to disallow seepage. When installed correctly, they do “shed” water. Concrete Tile Roof Repair Cost . As with all rooftop objects, it is important for proper water flow and installation to be considered. Ignoring potential trouble spots is also a surefire way to get yourself in hot water. When valley metal is not properly pressed, fastened and/or sealed it causes buckling and waving. This stair-step design also has a vertical component to it. Each tile has two predrilled screw holes. Clay Roof Tiles installed on a traditional roof hip roof A tile roof is a costly upfront investment, especially if you opt for clay tiles rather than concrete ones. Rake tiles are installed with one or two nails and a small amount of mortar only. When it is time to replace the roof ask your contractor to use a special ridge anchor flashing to hold the cap tile in place with fasteners and mortar. Electrolysis causes the fastener puncture to deteriorate and widen, allowing a water path and seepage. When two different types of metals come in contact a chemical reaction occurs. Examples of Clay Tile Roof Wear or Installation Problems that Limit Roof Life. Family Handyman. Terra cotta tiles such as pantiles which are designed to overlap to create a ridge and gutter design are a classic choice of material for tile roofing, although there are a variety of alternatives on the market. The flashing generally uses gravity to carry water down the roof and typically no seals are necessary. One manufacturer’s specifications required one nail every fifth (5th) row at each third (3rd) tile. Here, Ell flashing seams were separating and in need of additional sealant. Too much of this rubble clogs gutters and backs up water that can leak through the roof and cascade from it, increasing the possibility of repairs in and outside the home. If you have a tile roof, this article isn’t meant to scare you away from putting solar panels on your roof. However, if installed on a flat roof, they would allow massive seepage. Electrolysis uses moisture as catalysis at a molecular level to pass ions from one metal to the other. The way that the leak can be repaired will differ based on the cause of the issue. It is also the wrong flashing for a pipe of this type. By avoiding some typical mistakes, you should be able to ensure that your home remains protected from the elements. The only way to properly repair this issue is by replacing the valley flashing. A concrete tile roof costs about $18 a square foot or $27,000 for a 1,500 square-foot home with a moderate pitch using decorative flat tiles. As a watershed, the roof system is designed to flow from one tile to the next, following the slope of the roof until water is dispersed off the roof. A tile roof can be a great addition to a home, but it’s not for everyone. Over time movement causes the mortar to break loose from the cap tiles. Concrete tile roof repair can be a very challenging process. This leaves the roof susceptible to roof blow-off in the event of strong winds. Note how the pipe flashings above travel all the way up to the top of the pipe and is tucked into the pipe itself. By filling all gaps between tiles and then coating the roof with paint the Duro-Loc company claims this is a new roof. Moss attracts birds which feed off it and can damage the tiles in the process. If you have roof tiles that have not been replaces in more than a quarter of a century, they need to be evaluated by a qualified professional. When properly installed, underlayment is installed starting at the bottom of the slope and lapped successively up the slope to the top. When metal flashings are properly installed, the roof tiles are first cut to allow the penetration (e.g., vent or pipe) to go through the roof. Often associated with gutter installation and plumb fascia boards, perimeter drip edge flashings can create a shelf or ledge about three inches from the roof’s edge. After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, our code system was completely redesigned. Because valleys are transition areas and absorb building movement, fasteners installed in the valley center uplift and allow water seepage. However, most of the good roofing contractors install one screw AND tile adhesive per tile in order to achieve enhanced wind performance. Specially bonded mortar and tile adhesive polyurethane are also approved fastening methods. When these components are installed correctly the roof should not leak. Improving IAQ in the New Normal. Durability During installation, the technician would simply use a wooden dowel or furrow to create the weep hole. Step 1 - Identify the Cause. Separation firewalls are designed to extend past the roof level and protect against spreading flames in the unlikely event of a fire. We spray the roof with two generous coatings of specially formulated roof coatings from Ren-O-Tec. This type of tile roof underlayment is installed starting at the bottom of the slope and lapped successively up the slope to the top. Although concrete tiled roofs are the most durable type of roof available, they are still likely to break. Here cap tiles separated from the mortar and are loose. Moss can be a very big problem with tiled roofs as again this can absorb water which in turn increases weight, whilst also having the potential to push up tiles and expose the felt underneath as it grows. Although it is not cost-prohibitive to proactively remove the tiles, as repairs are made to the roof’s edge, the tiles should not be reinstalled. The underlayment is lapped sheet-over-sheet and is another watershed designed to prevent any water that gets past the tiles and flashings from entering the house. If not sealed properly, these flashings do little to stop water from entering the roof system. We have seen an increased number of leaks with this type of underlayment. Valley metal buckling disrupts the immediate flow of water and creates water vortices, a circular flow of water that leads to roof seepage. The photos below were taken on a roof where the flashings were leaking. However, some roofers still use the old method citing the tile’s weight as sufficient down-force. It’s better to be sure the job is done right the first time! Broken tiles left unrepaired for years. During roof installation, it’s easy for installers to forget about proper pressure setting on their nail guns. We do not suggest this, as it is impossible to replace the wall surfacing material and regain integrity. A gap between the pipe and surrounding flashing is visible and allowing seepage. The vent should be replaced and installed correctly. Rust cannot be simply sealed over; it will continue to grow, as seen on this Captiva Island roof. Here are voids in the roof flashings where sealants were not applied correctly. The biggest complaint with roofing tiles is breakage. Problem 5: Sagging Roof. Joe Locke. If the mortar is the only attachment method, cap tiles are held by gravity alone once the bond is fully broken. When flashing isn’t layered correctly and sealant applied in the right junction areas, seepage is allowed. One of the first problems that come with concrete roof tiles is their sheer weight. Top flashings are used to redirect water flow to ensure tiles keep water on top of the roof system. Over time the sealant will deteriorate and allow leaks. When caught early, the vast majority of roof problems are easy to fix. Not enough fasteners were used and the sealant has deteriorated. Underlayment is installed under the tile as the final backstop against leakage. 7 Potential Roof Tile Problems to Look out For. The temporary solution is to lift each tile and spray roof tile adhesive under it to create a new bond. The flashing is then installed under the tile surrounding the penetration and on top of the tile below it. Your roof flashing is the sealant that protects areas of your roof that … Here is evidence from a Bonita Springs roof that the tie-in area is not sealed properly. A well-built tile roof is likely to last longer than the structure on which it rests. Kelly Roofing is here to help. They last from 60 to 200 years, with their main problems lying in the fastening material, which can rust if made from corrosive substances. Ell flashing bridges the transition from the roof’s surface and a wall or upright surface such as a curb. In addition to algae, clay tile roofing is as vulnerable as any other roof to the natural accumulation of tree branches, leaves, grime, and other airborne debris. When you require tile roof repair, you need to top experts who repair and restore your tile roof. Learn how to master a roof inspection from beginning to end by reading the entire InterNACHI series: Mastering Roof Inspections. This Immokalee roof does not have the proper offset and was installed “line on line”, allowing water to travel under the system. In addition to a cost-effective price, concrete tiles require little maintenance, offer good fire protection, have a long lifespan of up to 50 years, and are lightweight, preventing many common structural problems. Stretching the roof tile. Ell flashing is designed to bridge the roof to wall transition and allow for protection against water intrusion. How To Repair A Tile Roof. Rusting and seepage can then occur. It comes in natural colours that return your roof to its original appearance, negating the need to re-roof or re-tile. If it is not, this provides a direct path for water to flow behind the wall surface and into the building. The manner in which a leak can be repaired will differ depending on the cause of the problem. Five common roof component problems are reasonably easy to identify and repair on your own. A new membrane may need to be installed in this area. The only way to elevate this issue is to replace the roof. When installing a roof system it is important to always start at the lowest point and proceed upward toward the roof’s peak. The first thing to look for is any roof … They are often fastened directly to the fascia board of a germinate structure and sealed with a simple bead of silicone caulk. Connect with us today if you’re in need of tile roof repair. Concrete tiles (left) and clay tiles (right) provide radically different looks to the style of house or building you are installing them on. Adding more sealant may stop the seepage for a year or so, but the only correct way to fix this area is by removing the flashings and installing them correctly. Improperly Installed Flashing. [Click any image for an enlarged, detailed version.] This is considered the traditional tile roofing installation technique, responsible for roofs lasting hundreds of years all around the globe. Often this is the first area on a tile roof to cause seepage. This results in no water or frost damage on your roof. Vents are installed on the roof to allow for attic airflow. Clay roof tile can be susceptible to leaks which are caused by various problems with the installation methods, tile itself, and age. Fascia is an architectural term for a band running horizontally and situated vertically under a … 1 / 10. As water travels, whether on a pitched or flat roof, if two seams are lapped in backward a backwater lap occurs. In fact, tile roofs and solar panels are a great combination, because a properly installed tile roof can last 100 years. The Level of Maintenance. Since concrete tiles are heavier than their counterparts, they require stronger structures to support them. Since mortar does not self-heal it continues to separate. As water flows down the roof it often is blocked behind the vent creating a small area of water ponding. After the major hurricanes a few years ago everyone learned the vulnerability of tile roofs at the high and ridge areas. 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