It can rain perfectly on a clay tile roof while water is making its entrance into your home. This is because the tiles are just one element of a roofing system. Underneath them, the underlayment protects your roof deck from any moisture.
The actual question is not “How many tiles should be replaced,” whenever leaks show up. Your question should be “What is the cause of the leaking.”
If you are a homeowner looking for tile roof repair San Diego to determine what is better between small fixes on an existing roof system and a complete underlayment replacement.
How Rutty Tiles Can Still Leak?
Although clay tiles are durable, they do not provide a waterproof barrier on their own. There are joints and spaces between the tiles where rain can pass through. They have a layer of underlayment beneath them, which is meant to help protect the flooring even more.
With time, that underlayment will wear out. Heat, humidity, and age can cause it to lose strength even if the tile above still appears fine.
Other leak causes are not uncommon:
- Cracked or broken tiles
- Tiles that have slipped from their place, so that the underlayment is now exposed
- Faulty flashing around chimneys and vents
- Worn pipe boots and roof penetrations
- Unsound underlayment below otherwise sound tiles
A pro inspection can pinpoint the real source of your problem.
Restorative Types of Slipped Tile Repairs
If the damage is confined to just a few tiles, slipped roof tiles repair from roofers is usually the way to go. A professional roofer can investigate the area, update any damaged tiles, and determine whether the underlayment under them stays healthy.
This strategy may also be an option when:
- Only a handful of tiles have shifted or cracked.
- Underlayment is still holding strong to this day.
- Flashing and other roof elements are in excellent condition.
- It shows no widespread signs of moisture damage.
It means that you want to address the entire cause of the leak, not just mask what is visible.
When it Beats the Full Underlayment Replacement
The replacement of a few tiles will not fix the entire need if the underlayment is failing across a large area of the roof. If that’s the case that is why San Diego tile roof underlayment replacement is oftentimes the better permanent solution.
This usually involves taking the present tiles out with care, storing them properly, restoring the damaged underlayment, after which reinstalling quality tiles. After all, it will also give you a chance to inspect the roof deck and fix other unobservable problems.
When it may be worth replacing it fully:
- Tile repairs continue to show leaks.
- The underlayment is aged or evidently damaged.
- Moisture damage is multi-faceted.
- More extensive repairs are necessary to return the roof to steadfastness.
Make the Right Repair Decision
Your clay tile roof does not necessarily require complete replacement simply because it leaks. But a succession of leaks should never be left unflagged.
If your tiles appear intact but moisture is seeping in, get a professional inspection from Local Roofers San Diego County. Finding that right tile roof repair San Diego solution might be as simple as a couple of individual tile repairs − or, may require a more pervasive underlayment replacement providing your house years of protection ahead.
NAP:
(858) 769-9052
Clay Tile Roof Maintenance in San Diego: Repairing Slipped Tiles vs. Full Underlayment Replacement