How to Repair Roofs Made of Tile

Roof tiles are made of clay, which can break easily under pressure.

Roof tiles are made of ceramic clay, a brittle material that can break easily with pressure. Unlike asphalt or wood roofs, tile roofs do not deteriorate or rot from the elements. Do-it-yourselfers can make minor repairs on these roofs. Consult a professional for interlocking tiles and tiles you can't reach from a ladder. Walking on a tile roof can crack the tiles, so avoid walking on them while making repairs.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Chisel
• Pry bar or nail ripper
• Trowel
• Mortar
• Masonry nails or tile clips

Instructions

1. Break up old tiles with a hammer, unless they are ridge tiles. Remove the tile pieces. Chip away old mortar with a chisel and hammer for hip or ridge tiles until they can be gently removed.

2. Pry up the roofing nails of the non-ridge tiles with a pry bar or nail ripper. Trowel on a stiff mortar mix where the old mortar was for the ridge tiles.

3. Set the non-ridges tiles on the roof in the old tiles' place. Attach each replacement tile with the same type of fasteners as used for the surrounding tiles, either masonry nails or tile clips. Soak ridge tiles in water for at least an hour. Set the ridge tiles by overlapping the tiles in the same fashion the old tiles were laid.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety goggles when breaking up old tiles..

• A professional may be need for large or complex repairs.

References

• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual"; Readers Digest; 2005
• "How To Fix Just About Anything"; Bill Marken; 2002