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The Roofing Professionals Westside

How to repair a roof tile – when you don’t have a spare

Written by

Jack Yuen

General

If you don’t have any spares – can you repair a broken roof tile?

If you have a tiled roof – then sooner or later, you will have a broken roof tile. As a rule, tile roofers in Sydney leave behind spare roof tiles on every roof that they do. So, if this is the case, then you can simply change the roof tile.

But older roofs and even some of the newer roofs don’t have a stack of spare roof tiles stored in a corner. So, what happens if you get a cracked roof tile?

[su_photo_panel border=”10px solid #cccccc” shadow=”0px 1px 2px #eeeeee” radius=”3″ text_align=”center” photo=”https://theroofingprofessionalswestside.com.au/wp-content/uploads/terracotta-roof-tile-silicone-repair.jpg” alt=”silicone repair on terracotta roof tiles” target=”blank”]These types of silicone repair work are NOT 100% effective[/su_photo_panel]

In a pinch, a properly executed silicone repair can be effective as a temporary (or even permanent) solution to this problem. However, I have seen so many broken roof tiles repaired with silicone and still leak. This is because the roof repairer did not know the basics of how a roof tile function.

Most unsuccessful roof tile repairs are done without removal of the broken tile. This means that the visible crack is siliconed up but the all important drainage course that is hidden under the lap is left broken and un-sealed. This means that while the roof tile does not leak as bad – it still leaks.

It is critical that the full width of the roof tile is repaired – not just the exposed portion. If done correctly, the repair will be serviceable for a long time. It may not look great – but it is effective.

or more details check out the videos below:

[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://youtu.be/cW2q4POC77o” title=”More details on correct way to repair a broken roof tile”] [su_spacer size=”30″]

Older video of repairing cracked roof tile below:

Comments

6 responses to “How to repair a roof tile – when you don’t have a spare”

May 9, 2014
toni
Hi how can you tell the difference between a tile that’s been broken from the inside rather then the outside? Why i ask is that my wife says that the tiles on the roof where broken from the inside not the outside, how can i know if this is true. Do you have pictures that you could show me the difference between standing on a tile and cracking it and a broken tile that’s been damaged from the inside. I’m finding this quite confusing, could you shine some light on this being a professional thanks toni.
Reply
1. May 12, 2014
  Jack Yuen
  Hi Toni,
  There is no sure way of telling the difference between a roof tile broken from inside the roof cavity and one that has been broken from the outside.
  If no one has been inside the roof cavity – then it is obviously broken from the outside. It is also difficult to break a roof tile from the inside ‘accidentally’….
  Hope this helps,
  Jack Yuen
  Reply
November 22, 2014
Rose Lica
Hi Jack My name is Rose and I am inquiring if you do insurance work? Could you please email me if you do thank you. Your utube videos are very informative you have a lot of knowledge. Our home is federation built 1920’s and we have terracotta roof tiles.
Thank you
Kind Regards
Rose
Reply
February 28, 2015
Bob Ingram
Hello Jack. I live in Phoenix Arizona on a golf course….my home is hit monthly with golf balls, I agree, a good tube of silicone calk is my roofs best friend, really easy to use, simple and solves the problem. Just today was on roof, silicone repairs I did 5 years ago look great, still holding, even in 120 degree temps…
Reply
November 28, 2024
Sarah
How do customers get a roof tile changed under solar panels? I can’t get anyone to help?
Reply
1. November 29, 2024
  Jack Yuen
  Hi Sarah,
  It is a common problem and usually can be resolved by offering the solar panel people a big financial incentive and also another incentive for the roofer to make it worthwhile to just change a tile at the appointed time when the solar panel people can remove and re-install the panels.
  An expensive exercise.
  Reply