How to Replace a Roof Tile- In’s & Out’s ?

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Getting your roof to look its best is a challenge in its own right.

There’s no way how you can predict when rain storms will come about or when pests might get onto your roof.

One thing for certain is that your roof will wear out after a while. Eventually, your roofing tiles will start to crack apart and die off, thus requiring you to replace them altogether.

You have to look at what you can do when getting a roof tile set up right. The good news is that it is not too hard for you to replace a roof tile when you know how to handle your roofing materials.

How to Fix Roof Tiles

You can replace a roof tile after a major storm comes into the area and causes parts of your roof to come apart. You can also do this if your roof is a little older in age but not old end to where it has to be replaced altogether.

Whatever the case may be, knowing how to replace a roof tile in the right way is critical to helping you keep your roof steady and secure.

What Do You Need?

You will require the following tools for replacing your roof tile:

• The proper replacement tile.
• Ladder.
• Trowel.
• Adhesive (if the tile was secured that way).
• Dissolving compound (also for tiles secured with adhesive).
• Small paintbrush.
• Hammer.
• Nail gun (optional).
• Nails (if the tile needs nails for securing).
• Replacement flashing material; this is for cases where the tile is need a chimney or other spot that requires flashing.

There are no guarantees that you will need every one of these items, but you should have them all on hand just to be safe.

Check the Tile

The first thing to do is to look at the tile you’re going to use. You have to confirm that the tile is compatible with your roof and that it will fit onto the surface right. It must blend in with the other tiles in both how well it can fit and its overall appearance.

Secure Your Position On the Roof

You will need to watch for how you’re going to get on your roof to replace your tile. You will need a ladder to get onto the roof, but you must ensure that ladder is sturdy and will not be at risk of slipping.

Also, you must watch for how you can get onto the roof. You need to find a position for being on the roof that gives you good access to the roof tile while keeping you from possibly slipping off of the roof. You must also be on a position where you are not adding lots of physical pressure onto the roof, thus preventing damages from all that weight you add.

The best thing to do here is to have someone come to help you. Having a partner on hand for the process ensures someone will spot and monitor you. That partner can help in holding onto the ladder while you use it, for instance. That person may also hand you any tools that you require. Of course, the partner should always be on the ground level, as having a second person on the roof at the same time may be dangerous while also adding undue stress onto the roof.

Lift the Surrounding Tiles

Find the tile that needs to be replaced. After that, look at the tiles that immediately surround that old one. You will have to gently lift up the tiles that overlap the one being replaced.

You can use a few small supports to lift up the tile in question. Some metal bits can be used, although slim pieces of lumber can be used if needed. The key is to lift that tile well enough so the entire tile that has to be replaced will be exposed.

A small prying tool should be added under that tile you are lifting up. A trowel may be good enough.

Remove the Old Tile

You can now remove the old tile after you have enough exposure to the entire tile. The same trowel you used in the last step can be used here.

For a tile secured with adhesives: You may need to add an adhesive dissolving solvent onto the underside of your tile. A small brush may be used here. The solvent will burn off the adhesive. Be cautious when using this so the solvent does not get onto any other tiles.

For a tile secured with nails: Use the claw part of your hammer to remove the nails. This is provided that the nails are not coming out themselves.

You can then clear out the tile after getting the securing base for the tile removed. You should use your hammer to break apart the tile if needed. You may need to break it apart if there are sections of the tile that are too stubborn and are not coming off of the room the right way.

Check the Area Under the Tile

Look at how the exposed part of the roof looks after you remove the old tile. You might need to add a sealant onto the surface if the area appears to have developed a leak. Meanwhile, a replacement flashing material may be needed if your tile is around a vent or other spot that flashing items are needed at.

Pry Up a Spot

You need to pry up one of the tiles surrounding the bare area so you have full access to the spot that the new tile is to be added on. Use the trowel from earlier to lift up the tile in question. In most cases, the tile will be to either the top part of your new one or to the left. The positioning will vary based on how your roof is laid out.

Adding the New Tile

You can now get your new tile added to your roof. The steps for doing so will vary based on the kind of tile you plan out. But remember you need to give attention to select the tile colors, Cause it represents your home outlook.

For adhesive: Apply the same type of adhesive used around the rest of your roof onto your new tile. Secure the adhesive onto the surface of the roof and then add the tile onto it. Be sure the adhesive is added evenly through your trowel. Align the new tile accordingly so it will fit under the tile you lifted up and again over any tiles that the new one will overlap. You may also have to add some of that adhesive under the tile that will overlap your new one to create a consistent amount of coverage over the roof.

For nails: You can use a hammer or a nail gun to secure your new tile onto the roof with a series of nails. The nails should be added on the corners of your tile. Be sure the nails are added evenly and that they are not at risk of creating any substantial punctures around the roof.

Review the Rest of the Roof

It helps to check on the remaining parts of the roof after you have replaced your old tile. Check around to see if any other tiles are damaged and need to be replaced. Look for any signs of leakage as well.

When to Hire a Professional

You can get any roofing tile replaced on your own, but be advised that there might be times when you need to hire a professional for the process instead. You are better off contacting a professional roofing tile installer for help if:

• There are far too many tiles that need to be replaced on your roof. A roof with lots of missing tiles is often one that has to be replaced altogether.
• The roofing surface is too steep or hard to access. You should contact a professional that can secure oneself to a part of your roof if this case.
• You notice any sagging around the roof. This may be a sign that the wood supports are breaking apart.
• There is lots of mold and other growths around the roof. A professional would have to scrub off the areas to keep the growths from spreading around the roof or even from moving into your property itself.

One Last Note

You will find when working on your roofing tiles that it is not all that hard for you to get them replaced. Be sure when getting your tiles fixed up that you review what they look like and that you have a good plan in mind for getting them replaced the right way.

Don’t forget to always be safe when you are replacing your tiles. You must look at what you are doing when getting on your roof and that you are not putting yourself at risk of any substantial harm during the roof replacement process. Having enough control over the replacement process ensures you will have a beautiful roof while keeping any imperfections on that surface from being a burden to your spot.