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Tile roofs will sometimes last for what seems like forever. But, unfortunately, they will reach a point where they need to be replaced, and because homeowners often think they’ll last forever, tile roofs are often neglected to be replaced when they should be.
To keep you from missing the timeline for replacement, we’re breaking down the signs that you should be on the lookout for.
HOW LONG DO TILE ROOFS REALLY LAST?
Tile roofs will last anywhere from 50 to 100 years. Because this is such a huge range and a long timeframe, there are a lot of variables. Tile can be made from different materials, including real clay or concrete and other synthetic products. Concrete tile often lasts around 50 years, while clay tile can reach up to 100.
The benefit of choosing concrete over clay is that concrete is much cheaper and still offers a good ROI and long-lasting option for your roof.
11 SIGNS THAT YOUR TILE ROOF SHOULD BE REPLACED
There are plenty of signs that your roof will show as it nears time for replacement. But, getting it replaced quickly and watching for these signs is often what homeowners miss.
An annual or bi-annual roof inspection is never a bad idea if you want to ensure that everything looks good on your roof. At MARS Restoration, we offer free inspections to help curve the cost of roofing and keep our customers well taken care of.
1) WATER SEEPING OR LEAKING UNDER ROOF TILES
Water inside your home is a very obvious sign that there’s a problem with your roof. It’s likely that tile is cracked, leaking, or has lifted up. This means the tile will need to be replaced, but often the underlayment and other roofing components have been damaged by the time a homeowner finds the leak.
A professional inspection will help to spot cracking tiles before they leak. But, in the case that your roof is leaking, be sure to reach out to a professional promptly to get the problem taken care of before anything worse can happen.
2) CRACKED OR MISSING TILES
The tile on your roof can break from weather, animals like squirrels, or just age and wear. Depending on the tile material (clay or concrete/synthetic), your roof will reach an age where it’s more susceptible to cracking.
Tiles can be blown off by the wind even if it’s not a stormy day. Sometimes just the right breeze can pick a tile up off your roof and send it soaring across the yard. Call your roofer right away if you ever spot missing tiles or see a tile in your hard that should be on your roof.
3) STREAKS ON YOUR FACIA BOARDS
If you notice that your tile has streaks of color running down it or throughout it, your tile may be old, and the sealant might not be working properly. Sometimes the streaks naturally appear, and other times they’re caused by something more serious.
It’s a good idea to check on tile with streaks every year or so just to make sure that the streaking isn’t a symptom of something worse that’s going on. Streaks running down your facia boards often are caused by water running under the tiles.
4) INTERIOR CEILING STAINS
Water stains can slowly develop on your interior ceilings and are often ignored until the problem is much worse than it would have been. These stains are caused by a water leak that’s pooling on the ceiling and soaking into your sheetrock or paint.
Roof flashing, tile leaks, and poor insulation are all causes of interior ceiling stains. If you spot a stain, be sure to get ahead of it and fix the problem as quickly as possible.
5) ALGAE BUILDUP ACROSS THE ROOF OR IN ONE AREA
Algae isn’t very common on tile roofs because they’re often installed in warmer, dryer climates. But, if algae does start to build up on your roof, you’ll need to get it cleaned off quickly! Algae can cause your roofing tile to break down and deteriorate.
Algae is often a sign that you have a moisture problem and should be addressed right away. If you’re noticing algae buildup, it’s likely that there are other problems with your roof that need to be taken care of as well.
6) WATER DRAINAGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY
If water isn’t draining off your roof properly, it can cause a lot of damage to your home’s foundation. Not only will this lead to expensive repairs in the future, but it could also be a sign that you need a new roof.
Poor drainage is often caused by:
- Clogged gutters
- Improper tile installation
- Slanted roofs
If you’re noticing that water isn’t draining the way it should be, check your gutters first and then call a professional if that doesn’t fix the problem.
7) PLANTS OR WEEDS GROWING ON THE ROOF
If you notice that plants are growing on your tile roof, there’s a good chance that several tiles are cracked, and there’s now dirt held up in those cracks. The weeds or plants can easily start growing in this dirt when given the right conditions.
Over time if these cracks aren’t tended to, it can lead to much bigger problems as the roots of the plants break apart more of the tiles.
8) DISCOLORATION ON YOUR ROOF
Tile roofing material is often a light color, but it can start to discolor over time. This is often a sign that the tile needs to be replaced and shouldn’t be ignored. But knowing the difference between the color of a new roof and one that’s faded can be tricky.
Discoloration can be caused by algae growth, rust, or extreme weather conditions. If you’re noticing that your tile roof had started to discolor, check and see when it was installed.
9) TILES SHIFTING ON THE ROOF
If you start to notice that some of your tiles are shifting and no longer in the same spot they were originally installed, it’s likely time for a tile roof replacement. Shifting can be caused by the home settling, severe weather, and just general wear and tear.
Shifting tiles can easily come loose and fall off your roof. They can also crack and lead to leaks easily.
10) CAVED IN TILES
Tile roofs are often installed with tile that has a curved shape. This keeps the tile in place and helps to protect your home from water damage. But over time, tile can become caved in or misshaped due to extreme weather conditions.
Hail can easily cause tile to be caved in and broken apart. Be careful not to walk or step on your tile if you suspect any damage. Caved-in tiles will be weak and easily fall off your roof.
11) YOUR ROOF HAS REACHED ITS EXPECTED LIFESPAN
As we mentioned earlier, tile roofs do have expected lifespans. If your tile roof has been installed for over 20 years, getting an inspection or check-up is a great idea. But, thankfully, you should be at least 30 years away from a replacement.
However, every roof is different, and the materials used, your climate, and the weather during the roof’s life can change how long it lasts.
AVERAGE COST FOR A TILE ROOF REPLACEMENT
The cost for a tile roof replacement will depend on several factors. Here are some primary things that can determine cost:
- Size of your roof
- The material you’d like installed
- Location of your home
- Pitch of your roof
The average cost for a tile roof to be replaced is roughly $5-$20 per square foot. Depending on the factors above, that puts a roof on your home for a total cost of $15,000-$45,000. If you have a large home, that can make things more expensive because of the added materials.
HIRE A CONTRACTOR YOU TRUST
Good contractors are hard to come by, and working to find one isn’t always easy. As a contractor local to local to Maryland, we’ve worked hard for a reputation of excellence and customer service.
Don’t work with someone who charges you for an inspection and estimate. Call the pros at MARS Restoration. We bring our best and will provide you with free inspections, free estimates, and a premium roofing service you can count on.