Expert advice on how to repair tile and masonry roofs, including fixing holes and cracks, and tips for replacing broken roof tiles.
Small Cracks or Holes
Cracked or Broken Roof Tile
Tile Roof Leaks
The most common problem with tile, concrete tile, fiber cement, and other types of masonry roofing is cracking. For anything but an occasional cracked or broken tile, hire a roofer.
Small Cracks or Holes
Small cracks and holes can be repaired by filling the defect with plastic roofing cement.
1 Scrub the area with a wire brush.
2 Fill the area with plastic roofing cement to seal or join the crack.
Cracked or Broken Roof Tile
If a roof tile is cracked or broken and can be repaired as discussed above, you’ll need to replace the tile.
1 Carefully pry up the tile (or tiles) just above the cracked or broken one.
2 Break the faulty tile, and remove the pieces. Also pry or force out any nails.
3 Spread a small amount of roofing cement along the underside of the replacement, and slide it into place. Adhesive, rather than nails, will hold this tile.
4 Press all tiles down gently but snugly.
Tile Roof Leaks
If a tile roof leaks, the problem is almost always with the membrane beneath the tile. In order to repair this, you’ll first have to find the area that is leaking.
For information on this, please see How to Find & Fix Roof Leaks. Then you’ll need to take-up the tile around the leak, patch the leak with roofing cement, and replace the tiles.
Featured Resource: Find a Pre-Screened Local Tile Roofing Contractor
