Tile roofs exceed every other roofing material in terms of longevity, regardless of what material they are made from, concrete, terracotta, slate, cement, or fibre-reinforced synthetic tiles, they all have extremely long lifespans. Tile roofs that are well maintained and properly installed can last more than 50 years.
Still, poor maintenance, poor installation, hail, and hurricane winds can alter the life expectancy of any roof. The material used can greatly influence the durability of your roof. The most commonly used materials for tile roofs are concrete and clay. On average, concrete tiles can last for more than 50 years while clay tiles have been found on several buildings that are 50-100 years old and the tiles are still very much intact.
Have you ever wondered why you did not get the numbers of life you were expecting out of your roof tile? Perhaps you have tried all you can to trace the cause of failure and at some point, you started asking yourself some questions like: Did you or did you not do what should have sustained the roof through the years?
Could it be the fault of the contractors who helped with the installation? Or maybe the reason why the roof got damaged so quickly was as a result of unfavourable weather conditions? ……………… Instead of pushing blame on who was right or who was wrong, stick along as you get the perfect answers to all your thousand questions.
Apparently, there are several choices of material for roofs, but tile roofs have taken the forefront as one of the best roof systems worth investing in. The types of materials used for a roof tile plays a major role in determining whether that roof will last longer or otherwise, and you cannot say which one is best until your needs are met.
Generally, all tile roofs are more durable than shingles and they are also aesthetically pleasing. To make more sense out of this; whenever you have the chance, you should visit areas where you have historical buildings with country-style architecture. It would marvel you to hear that some of these buildings have lived with their roof tiles unreplaced for decades while for some it’s a century or more.
Factors That Can Reduce The Lifespan Of Any Tile Roof
While tile roofs have proven their value as a quality roof covering by holding up well to many of the extreme weather conditions, some factors can knock years off of their total lifespan.
Lack of maintenance
Maintenance of tile roofs cannot at any point be overemphasized, many roof covers have suffered a great deal of damage because they were not cared for. Roofs with broken and cracked tiles or algae and mould buildup would require a few repairs and of course a good cleaning to get back in shape. Failure to replace blown off tiles, seal cracks, chop off tree branches pressing on the roof, clean gutters, cut down trees trespassing above rooflines, and remove leaves and debris from valleys, can shorten the longevity of any tiles.
Improper installation
When roof tiles are not installed correctly, mortar can become loose and the slightest wind can rip them off. A roof that is properly installed should maintain uniformity across its angles regardless of the architectural style or design. So when a roof lacks uniformity or you notice missing tiles shortly after its installation, these can be signs of improper installation. This boils down to why you should hire professional roofers.
Other factors that can affect how long tile roofs last include;
- Flashings
- Underlayment
- Hurricane winds
- Hail
- Types of valley metals
- Lack of ventilation
How To Extend Tile Roofs Lifespan
You might not be able to stop the storm from yanking down tree branches on your roof but you sure can prevent your roof from further damage. Timely repairs, replacing missing tiles, sealing up cracks, aren’t rocket science but rather intentional ways to increase the longevity of any roof. To extend the lifespan of your tiled roof :
Avoid Direct Pressure On The Roof
Foot traffic and fallen tree branches are the common ways a roof engages in direct contact or pressure. And because tiles can be very fragile, walking on them can easily cause damage hence shortening the roof’s life expectancy. If you should at any point need anything to do on your rooftop it’s preferable to seek the help of a professional roofer. Afterwards, schedule an appointment for a roof inspection to check and make sure no tiles were broken. To some extent tiles are resistant to the elements of weather but not to direct pressure therefore, stay off your roof!
Use Quality Roofing Material
The type of material used in making tiles form the basis and when anything goes wrong with the material, things might get a little messy to the point that even a proper installation can only do as much as nothing. For instance, combining the right proportion of water, cement and sand in the making of concrete tiles is very fundamental. The same rule applies to making the highest quality of all types of roof tiles. To get the best out of your roof, always aim at the best quality.
Adhere To Regular Inspections
Having a routine check cannot be overemphasized, it’s more or less a diagnostic measure that helps to reveal any damage before it becomes complicated. For any damage found, repairs are timely so much that it saves you money and as such reduces further damage. Ensure you inspect your roof after a snowfall, heavy rainfall, hail, and at the end of any heavy wind.
Improper installation of roof tiles can affect the overall health of your roof. It takes only a skilled and experienced team of roofers to install your roof properly. You might get yourself sued if you hire someone who is not insured or licensed as there could be an accident during installation.
Ensure High-Quality Underlayment
The underlayment is a great support to the barrel tiles and if it is of bad quality, it could wear out faster than the actual roof. Good quality underlayment will save you lots of money upfront and if needed to be replaced, that would be done without taking out the entire roof.
Final Thoughts
All tiled roofs must be handled carefully, tiles are fragile and should be treated as such. Tiled roofs must be underlaid appropriately with the best materials to keep up with rain, snow and wind.
Hope you find this helpful?