Even people who know very little about tile roofing know that it's long-lasting and durable. Tile roofs will often survive windstorms and hurricanes when other roofs do not. But this does not mean tile roofs are impervious to damage. Often, they develop cumulative damage over time, and they eventually do require professional repairs or replacement from a knowledgeable roofer. If you have a tile roof, keep your eyes out for these signs that it needs attention.
Pieces of Tile in the Gutters
You can't always see every tile from the ground or from a ladder, which makes it hard to tell whether some of your roof tiles are chipped or damaged. But if your tiles are chipping, you're likely to find some of those chips in your gutters. So, pay attention to gutter contents when you clean them. If you see a few chips of tile, it's a good idea to have a roofer come to locate the damage and replace those tiles.
Streaks on Your Siding
Streaks on the siding after a rainstorm tend to be a sign that your tile roof has some cracks and is on the verge of leaking. If there are cracks in the tile, water will end up seeping under the tile. It will then run down the underlayment. Since the underlayment is usually at a lower level than the gutters, the water will then tend to flow down the siding rather than into the gutters. As it flows, it often leaves streaks. This should be addressed ASAP before the water wears down the underlayment so much that it starts leaking into the home.
Musty Odors in the Attic
When tile roofs do start leaking, usually only a little water comes in at first. You're unlikely to actually see this amount of water in your attic, but you can often smell its effects. Your attic will smell musty as a result of the insulation or wood trusses getting moist and beginning to grow mold or mildew. You may also see some discoloration on the wood if you look closely. If you have the tile fixed at this point, you will prevent bigger water damage problems in your attic and top floors.
Tile roofs can outlive their owners, but that does not mean they won't need some care and repairs along the way. Keep an eye out for these signs of storm damage to your tile roof.
Contact a roofer to learn more.
When you have something you like inside a jar, you probably put a lid on it — right? In a way, you can think of your house in the same manner. You like and value the items inside, along with the inside of the house itself. So, it only makes sense that you would protect the interior of your home with a lid. That lid is your roof.
Keep that perspective in mind as you read this blog. Learning more about roofing will feel more interesting if you remember what a roof does: it protects the inside of the home and the people who live in it.