Tile roof repairs replace cracked, broken or slipped concrete and terracotta tiles and re-secure any that have lifted. A single broken tile is quick to fix, but it should be done soon, because water that gets under it soaks the battens and sarking.
Why tiles crack and slip
- Foot traffic. Trades walking on the roof crack tiles. Aerial installers, gutter workers and antenna techs are common culprits.
- Age and weather. Hail, heat and cold cycles, and heavy lichen growth weaken tile edges.
- Poor cutting. Tiles cut badly at hips, valleys and penetrations crack along the cut. One customer had a tile their builder had cut badly, and we replaced it.
- Wind. Tiles at the edge and along the ridge lift in strong gusts and can slip.
- Movement under the tile. Failed fixings or shifting battens let tiles sit out of line.
Broken tile replacement
We lift the broken tile, check the batten and underlay beneath it, and fit a replacement of the same profile, then fix it back in place. A replacement tile from the same family will look newer than the weathered ones around it. On a roof that is being painted, the new tile blends in once the coating goes on. On an unpainted roof, we take spare tiles from a hidden section where we can, so the match is closer.
Slipped and lifted tiles
Tiles that have slid out of line are usually unclipped or sit on a loose batten. We re-lay them, re-secure them and check the neighbouring rows, since the fault rarely affects just one.
Matching your tiles
Not sure what you have? Read how to tell concrete from terracotta tiles. Tiles come in a limited number of common profiles, and colours weather differently over time. Send us a photo of the roof and a close-up of one tile. We will say what we can match and what the repair will look like, before you agree to anything.
Finding the cause
A tile that cracked once may crack again if the cause is still there. We look at what is around the break: traffic marks, a ridge that has shifted, lichen, a nearby penetration. If water has already got in, we check the roof space and tell you.
“Nathan from O’Malley’s Roofing cleaned our gutters, relocated some worn out tiles and replaced some broken ones. All in a couples hours with very little fuss. Great job! Would definitely be using them again. Thanks!”
A short call or a few photos is enough to start. 0430 545 669, or the form.
Questions about tile repairs and replacement
How many tiles can you replace in one visit?
We replace what we find during the visit, and the job normally finishes the same day for small numbers. A customer in the reviews had a few worn tiles relocated and broken ones replaced, with the gutters cleaned, in a couple of hours.
Will the new tiles match the old ones?
The profile will, and we match the colour as closely as the stock allows. Weathered roofs always show some difference until they are painted or age in.
Should I wait until winter to see if it leaks?
No. A cracked tile can let in small amounts of water for months before a stain shows on the ceiling. By then the timber is already wet.
Can I replace a tile myself?
We would rather you did not. Walking on tiles breaks more of them, and roofs are dangerous. Call us and we will do it safely.