Your home will likely have one of the most long-lasting roof coverings available: a tile roof. With appropriate maintenance, your roof should last over fifty years. However, just because your roof is durable doesn’t mean it is maintenance-free. Homeowners who take the time to inspect their roofs on an annual basis avoid the unpleasant surprises of costly emergency repairs, leaks, and damp lofts. If you have a traditional clay tile, or modern concrete roof, a few simple habits can extend its useful life.
Keep an Eye on Slipped or Cracked Tiles
Over the years, your roof tiles will shift, particularly after a harsh winter with frost and rainfall. An individual slip tile may look like a minor issue, but it actually exposes the roof’s underlay to weather the elements, which was never designed to cope. It’s a good idea to do a quick visual inspection of your roof in the spring and the fall after the leaves have fallen to locate and identify potential problems. Call your roofer before the next big storm if you see a gap or crack, or if there is uneven moss build up on the roof.
Clear Gutters and Valleys Regularly
Most homeowners are unaware of how blocked guttering causes damage to their roofs. When leaves and debris builds up in the guttering or in valleys of the roof where two slopes meet, rain water has no option but to back up under the roofing tiles. The trapped moisture can sit for months and cause timber battens to rot and promote mould growth in the loft. It is a worth small effort to clear gutters during autumn and after any windy weather as it can save major headaches.
Check Your Loft From the Inside
When a roof starts to fail, somewhat surprisingly, the first signs show up in the loft rather than outdoors. Signs such as daylight shining through where it shouldn’t, signs of damp on timber, or a smell of damp. These issues are all worthy of investigation. A torch and perhaps 10 minutes on a dry day is all it takes to detect a problem while it is still inexpensive to fix. If your loft is used as storage or even converted, it is even more important to stay on top of this because the insulation and boarding can conceal small leaks until they cause serious damage.
Think About Flashing and Chimneys
Flashing around chimneys, dormer windows, and roof edges take a real beating from the weather, and it’s a common weak point long before the tiles themselves show any signs of aging. Lead flashing can crack or lift with age, allowing water to track down the wall beneath it. If you have a chimney that’s no longer in use, it’s still worth having it checked. An unused stack can quietly deteriorate for years without anyone noticing, until there is a problem with the pointing or the flashing at the base.
Bring in a Professional Every Few Years
While you may take care of your checks, nothing substitutes for someone who works on roofs daily. A professional survey can identify early signs of wear every three to five years that may not be obvious from the ground or the loft, like underlay that is becoming brittle or fixings that are beginning to corrode. It is a small price to pay when compared to a full re-roof, and it gives you the peace of mind knowing that your home will be properly protected for the next few winters.
Maintaining your tiled roof is not that difficult. Some regular maintenance, quick repair when something looks wrong, and periodic inspections from a roofer will keep your home dry and comfortable for decades. If you would like an inspection and have seen any of the signs above, contact our team and we will help.