Tips for a Successful Tile Repair
How many times I’ve heard a customer say, “Well, I’ve had my tile roof repaired, but now it’s leaking again.”
There is one fact which cant be denied: had the roof been fixed right the first time, it is impossible for the same leak to come back!
The fact is, the leak, which was thought to have been repaired, has NOT “come back”. It was never fixed in the first place.
Usually, the repaired area goes through the first quarter, or half inch of rain, doesn’t leak, and the homeowner sighs a big sigh of relief. Same thing happens in the next storm.
Then, the big two, or three inch “gully-washer” hits, and the identical leak shows up again!
The reasons are several:
1) A “band aid” was improperly placed on the leaking area.
2) Oftentimes it takes a lot of rainfall, accompanied by high wind, to make the leak obvious, or to make a prior leak show up again.
3) The leak was misidentified as a simple seal around a pipe, or skylight, or chimney flashing, with no consideration given to the possibility of deteriorated paper underlayment, or improper roof flashings.
The truth is, water travels!
Take a hose then, pour water on the sidewalk and watch the action of the water. It travels. Imagine how water can travel down the slope of your roof, under the tile, then finally show up, sometimes from a great distance away, around a pipe, skylight, or some other penetration.
So, what is the solution?
The answer is simple;
Fix it right!
First, the tile must be removed from the ENTIRE section, (hip, gable, valley, flashing, etc.).
Next, not one, but two layers of appropriate felt, (usually 40#) tile underlayment must be installed from eave to ridge, covering the entire section. Remember, water travels, and to assure that all
potential water intrusion areas are addressed, the entire section must receive treatment.
The final step, flashing the penetrations, must be accomplished using a both a base, and a secondary flashing, to assure that no water can enter under the tile from anywhere. This flashing must be
accompanied by an approved weather block at the peaks, as well as at the hip angles, so that wind driven water cannot blow under the tile.
Because the tile is permanent, if installed correctly, your tile roof should indeed last for the life of the structure!
Remember, when you want it fixed right, call Raneri & Long, we won’t disappoint you!
