How to Repair a Tile Roof

Clay tile roof repair is a bit more involved than a simple shingle roof repair, but with proper repair and maintenance a clay tile roof can last up to 100 years or more! With some basic ground rules in place and an understanding of how to repair a tile roof you can have that leak fixed in no time. Here is a step by step guide to repairing a tile roof whether it is cracked or chipped, or if the entire tile needs to be replaced.

How to Repair a Tile Roof: Materials

Mortar
RT-600 Tile Roof Sealer in matching Terra Cotta color
Copper Strap
Copper Nails
Hammer
Trowel
Caulk Gun
Pry Bar

How to Repair a Tile Roof Step 1: Begin by determining if the tile can be fixed or if the entire tile should be replaced completely. If there is just a small crack in the tile or a chip then chances are you can simply mend the tile rather than replace the entire tile. To fix a small crack, use RT-600 in a caulk gun to place a layer of the tile roof sealer into the crack and allow it to flow just over the crack. When the sealer hardens the crack will be completely sealed.

Unfortunately, clay tile roof repair doesn't always end with a simply coat of RT-600 over a small crack. Sometimes, to repair a tile roof you will actually have to replace tiles that are too broken to fix. Continue on to replace tiles on the roof.

How to Repair a Tile Roof Step 2: To replace a tile on a roof you must begin by removing the tile that is broken or damaged. To do this you should gently pry up the tile with a pry bar. If the tile will not raise you can use the hammer to break up the tile for easy removal from the roof. If you use the hammer option make sure that you gently break the tile up so as not to disturb (and or break) the tiles that surround it. All too often a simple tile roof repair turns into a large repair because the roof gets further damaged during the repair process.

How to Repair a Tile Roof Step 3: Once you have removed the tile from the roof you can begin getting the new tile ready for replacement. If you have a tile roof that is more than 50 years old then chances are the tiles are not nailed to the roof at all. Back then most of the time, clay tile roofs were mortared only and there were no nails used. If this is the case then you will simply slide the new tile into place and mortar underneath and all around it to create a concrete seal.

If your tile roof has nails then you will begin prepping the new tile for the clay tile roof repair by hanging a hanger strap on it. The strap should bend into an L shape so that the bottom of the L hangs onto the tile and the top of the L will hang onto the hanger board on the roof just underneath the next tile above the one that you are repairing. The bracket or hanger strap will not be seen once you have completed the tile roof repair.

How to Repair a Tile Roof Step 4: Finally, once you have the hanger strap in place on the new tile you can hang it on the roof in the spot where it needs to be. If the tiles do not match up you may find that you need to use a wet saw to trim down the new tile slightly to fit it into place. DO NOT try to force the tile into place as this may break other tiles.

How to Repair a Tile Roof Step 5: Complete the clay tile roof repair by using a nail and hammering it into the hole in the tile that is at the top. This will secure the tile to the roof. For added security from leaks, mortar can be applied to all edges of the tile to form a water tight seal. RT-600 also works well for this!