Why Do Roof Tiles Slip?

Your house is perfect for you, and it’s the first big investment you made. It shelters your spouse, kids, maybe even a few pets. Sure, you could probably use more space, but the important thing is that in your house everyone feels safe and warm. All is running smoothly in this structure you call home. That is until the first rainstorms of the season. After especially windy and rainy storms you may have found some of your clay roof tiles have shifted, or even fallen off of your roof and shattered. This is actually fairly common and there are several reasons why this occurs. But, you might be wondering, will you need to get an entirely new roof?

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First, let’s examine the reasons that roof tiles might slip, especially after storms. It could be caused by a corrosion of the nails that hold your tiles onto the roof. During especially strong storms, many roof tiles can become dislodged by winds and rain. If it’s only a few tiles, then it may be a very small problem to fix, but tile slippage can also be caused by a more serious issue. You may also find slipped roof tiles if the wood of your roof has corroded. This can happen from termite infestation or water damage. Older homes are also more likely to have rotting wood than newer constructions. If you think this may be the case, the only way to know for sure is to have a profession roof company come and inspect your home.

Luckily, fixing a few wayward roof tiles yourself is an easy weekend DIY project. Here are the steps to take to fix it yourself:

• Gather the important tools and supplies. You’ll need: mortar or hammer and nails, new clay tiles, and waterproof sealant.
• First, remove any debris from where the missing tiles are on your roof.
• Re-fit your new clay tile, or the one that has fallen if it isn’t damaged, in place on your roof. Older homes may have roof tiles held on with mortar. Newer homes typically use nails to hold tiles in place. Secure the new tiles in place by simply hammering the nails into the tiles.
• Then, use a waterproof sealant or mortar along the sides of the tiles to secure them and complete the seal.

Note: Unless you have roofing experience, it’s always best to see a professional to prevent further damage to the roofing membrane.

• You can repair a cracked tile with either mortar or a waterproof sealant in a caulking gun.
• Replace missing nails from tiles with new ones.
• Use a pry bar to completely remove damaged tiles and replace them following the steps that were outlined above.

Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable up on top of your house or you aren’t sure if you are capable of doing a good job, you can always contact a professional. Once you’ve had a chance to look at your roof, you might find that there are other issues, such as a torn waterproof membrane, that need fixing. In this case, it may be time to call a professional.

Having an expert inspect and fix your roof is much less expensive than you would think. It is certainly less expensive than having a whole roof replacement or mold removal if water damage occurs without your knowledge. If you aren’t sure about your fix-it skills, you might decide it is better to have a professional do the work for you. This way you can be assured that the finished work will last a long time and look great.

Prices vary across the nation for repairing sections of clay roof tiles. But in the U.S. the average cost falls somewhere between $250 to $500 per square foot. There are a lot of factors to consider in this wide range of cost. These factors include the type of tiles used in the repair, the way they are affixed to your home, the hourly wages of the roofing professionals, and the additional costs of any needed repair to your roof.

If you are certain that you simply have a few slipped or cracked clay roof tiles, then rest assured that it is a simple DIY fix. However, if you think your roof might have some other serious problems that may lead to eventual water damage, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Here in Las Vegas, there are many reputable home roof repair companies and many different ranges of prices for consumers to pay. The best thing you can do is give us a call for an estimate today. We’d be happy to give you some peace of mind by inspecting your roof and providing you with some options.