Fixing a leaking clay tile roof

Clay tiles are very prone to leaks caused by various problems, like harsh weather. Fixing the leak can be made following different methods.

Some of the tools and materials that you will need are:

Mortar
Waterproof membrane
Caulk gun
RT-600 Tile Roof Sealer (terracotta color)
Hammer
Pry bar
Hanger strap
Wet saw
Nails

Cause of the leak

Although there can be many reasons why a clay roof is leaking, and some of them are quite rare and hard to repair, the most common causes are:

defective waterproof membranes
debris collected in roof valleys
cracked or broken tiles

You should know that clay tiles are very sensitive to pressure and they can crack easily.

Be very careful when you step on the roof and make the repairs.

Membrane fixing

If the leaks is caused by a faulty water membrane, then you should remove all the tiles from your roof and replace the entire membrane. Then reinstall the tiles on your roof. Ask a professional to help you if you haven’t done this before.

Debris

In time, debris tend to collect on your roof, whether there are leaves, twigs or just dust. After a time they can crack the tiles, if they are heavy, and also can retain water that can damage the tiles and the membrane. So once a year, try and clean all the debris from your roof and reinstall the damaged tiles.

Cracks

You can repair tile crack by applying some RT-600 caulk or you can just replace the tile. If you use the caulk, be sure you let it dry properly.

Broken tiles

Tiles with large crack will need to be replaced. Use a pry bar to remove all the damaged tiles. Be careful not to damage other good tiles. If your roof is older, then the tiles may have been fixed with mortar. Use the same adhesive to fix the new tiles.

Some newer roofs use nails to fix the tiles. You will need a hanger strap. Place the tiles on it and hang it in place. Do not force the tile, otherwise it will crack. To cut any edges use a wet saw.