Ideally, roofs are something you don’t think much about and even take for granted because they work so well! For us, roofs are something we think about all the time. As professional roof installation experts, we’re passionate about roofs! There is so much more to roofs than meets the eye. In fact, it’s what’s taking place below what you can see that makes all the difference in quality roofing.

Red tile roofs are iconic in South Florida. You see them everywhere! They seem simple enough, right? You’ve just one little spot that’s leaking. Just patch up the leak and lay a few one in one direction and interlace a second later over top, right? If we’ve done our job correctly, it may appear that simple. But before you DIY your roof repair project, consider all that is involved in the process before getting halfway through this critical task in our beloved wet and windy state.

What you’ll find between the roof tile and the leak

When addressing a leaking roof, you’ll likely need to replace an area of the roof sheathing that has been damaged or rotted. Between those attractive red tiles and the roof sheathing itself, you’ll find multiple layers that need to be addressed:

• The clay tiles
• Battens
• Underlay

If you’re working around corners, edges, and seams, you’ll also find:

• Flashing
• Drip edge
• Ridge cap

Holding all of that together are roofing nails and holder lashes (or mortar, in older homes).

Finding the Source of the Leak and the Compromise

You can see where the leak is resulting inside, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the area of your roof directly over that spot is the only area that is compromised. The spot where water was able to leak through your ceiling isn’t necessarily directly below the point through which it entered. The leak could be the result of a crack in a tile or a separation in the flashing, somewhere other than where the water is pooling and leaking through. Before tearing up and removing roof tiles to fix the compromised area, you’ll want to also be sure you’ve solved the source of the problem so that it doesn’t resurface.

Fixing Cracked Tiles

Cracked tiles are a common cause of leaking roofs and a common occurrence in Florida’s hot sun. You may spot numerous cracks in tiles while up on your roof that you’d like to fix for preventative measures before they become leaks, you can use a roof tile adhesive by applying it over the entire cracked tile and allowing it to dry.

Repairing Damaged Tiles

Broken tiles are a different story and should be replaced. In this case, you’ll need a pry bar, a hammer, and a strategy for getting the cracked tiles off without damaging the existing tiles around it. Tiles on older roofs will likely have been applied with mortar. If this is the case, you’ll want to affix the replacement tiles with mortar as well.

Repairing a roof leak on a tile home can be a DIY project, but many people choose to hire a professional roofing expert for the task. Even just the act of walking around on a tile roof requires specific gear and expertise to prevent slips, falls, and causing additional damage to tiles. As your local Florida area roofing installation experts, clay roof tiles are our specialty.

While up there, we’ll inspect your entire roof and give you a full and honest assessment of the state of your roof’s health and a timeline in regard to its longevity. In many cases, a roof repair can be an ideal solution to a leak that serves its duty for years to come. In some cases, a leak may be a sign that it’s time for a full replacement. As an approved PACE contractor, we can provide options for a full roof replacement with no money down and repayment terms of up to 30 years if and when replacement is in order.