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Clay Tile Roof Inspection Wear or Damage Indicators - Photo Guide
- CLAY TILE ROOF DAMAGE & WEAR - Wear & damage indicators on clay tile roofs
- Clay tile roof inspection, failures, repair, product defects
- Roof inspection, leak detection, roof diagnosis, roof repair
- Questions & Answers about wear & damage to clay tile roofs: spalling, pitting, cracking, breaking, loose, or missing clay tiles
- References
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Clay tile roof wear & damage: in photographs & text this article describes & explains the causes of all types of wear and damage that can be found on clay tile roofs by visual inspection. These include roofing tiles that are cracked, broken, pitting, spalled, loose, or missing, and of course, leaks in a clay tile roof.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Examples of Clay Tile Roof Wear or Installation Problems that Limit Roof Life
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 In discussing types of clay tile roof damage, we include advice about how to inspect a tile roof and on how, if ever, you might walk on a clay tile or concrete tile roof.
Our page top photo shows clay roofing tiles installed in the Northeastern U.S. This roof had been damaged by foot traffic. Clay tile roofs are often damaged by foot traffic, ice and snow, or by severe storms.
Our photo (left) shows the author (DF, back to camera) examining a clay tile roof installed on the Hwang Lim Won orphanage in Seoul, Korea in 1966. The roof was constructed using an S-tile profile and was not leaking. Tiles on the structure had to withstand Korean monsoon weather of heavy rain and high winds.
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Our photo of a tarred roof valley and damaged interlocking clay roof tiles (above left) was taken from a ladder at roof edge. At above right, on a barn on the Roosevelt Estate in Hyde Park NY, ice and storm damage have broken many of these rectangular flat roof tiles.
The common failures on clay tile roofs include cracked broken tiles, spalling (in freezing climates), loose tiles that slide down out of place (on roofs where not every tile is secured to the roof deck), flashing failures (corrosion or cracking), and fastener failures.
We also find leaks in clay tile roofs that were improperly flashed or that were built on a low slope and without a waterproof membrane.
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Our photo of broken clay roof shingle-tiles (left) was taken during an inspection made without walking on the roof surface - for obvious reasons: we didn't want to shoulder the blame for this damage.
We recommend against walking on clay tile roofs as you are likely to damage the roof leading to the need for costly repairs. More discussion on walking on fragile roofs is later in this article. |
Our photo (above left) shows broken clay roof tiles, a very common clay tile roof defect that is also a common leak source.
At the photo lower left corner you can see a pair of replacement clay tiles that have been put in place, but more replacements are needed wherever a broken roof tile is found. Carson Dunlop's sketch (above right) illustrates the most common locations where cracked or broken tiles are found on clay tile roofs.
In some climates clay tiles may also become damaged by spalling from freezing when the tiles were wet.
Foot Traffic Advice: Walking on Clay Tile Roofs
 As we discuss at FLASHING, CLAY TILE ROOFS, and as stated in stated in Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (printed text), to prevent breakage, walk on tiles with extreme caution.
Profile tile and lightweight tile are the most vulnerable,
and concrete tiles are more fragile when they are freshly
manufactured or “green.”
If possible, place antennas and
other roof-mounted equipment where it is easy to access
without crossing many tiles.
Roof access hazards are discussed at ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS
When it is necessary to walk
on tiles, some authorities suggeest that you step only on the head-lap (lower 3 inches) of each
tile. With Mission- or S-tiles, it is best to step across two
tiles at once to distribute the weight. When significant
rooftop work is required, place plywood over the tile to
distribute the load.
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Removal of Roof Tiles May Be Necessary for On-Roof Access
Watch out: our own experience is that it is absolutely impossible to walk on many clay tile roofs without damaging them, particularly soft clay such as the roof type used in Latin America (our photo at left).
For these roofs contractors have to remove sufficient clay tiles to provide a walking area. The removed tiles are replaced as the worker is leaving the work area of the roof.
On some other fragile but not totally fragile roofs such as slate roofs, cement tile, cement-asbestos, fiber cement, and hard-fired ceramic clay tile roofs, contractors suspend a ladder over the roof surface, hanging it from the ridge, and cushioning it off of the roof surface using foam or insulation padding, or contractors work from scaffolding. - Ed.
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Hidden Structural Damage Below Clay Roofing Tiles
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Here we illustrate another reason to stay off of clay tile roofs - very fragile, loose clay tiles and rotted collapsing structure below.
Walking on the roof we show at left is almost certainly going to break tiles and risk injury as the supporting structure may break below the inspector.
This particular roof condition could also be observed from inside the home's attic. |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about wear & damage to clay tile roofs
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
- John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
- Tile Roofs of Alfred: A Clay Tradition in Alfred NY
- Roof Tiling & Slating, a Practical Guide, Kevin Taylor, Crowood Press (2008), ISBN 978-1847970237,
If you have never fixed a roof tile or slate before but have wondered how to go about repairing or replacing them, then this is the book for you. Many of the technical books about roof tiling and slating are rather vague and conveniently ignore some of the trickier problems and how they can be resolved. In Roof Tiling and Slating, the author rejects this cautious approach. Kevin Taylor uses both his extensive knowledge of the trade and his ability to explain the subject in easily understandable terms, to demonstrate how to carry out the work safely to a high standard, using tried and tested methods.
This clay roof tile guide considers the various types of tiles, slates, and roofing materials on the market as well as their uses, how to estimate the required quantities, and where to buy them. It also discusses how to check and assess a roof and how to identify and rectify problems; describes how to efficiently "set out" roofs from small, simple jobs to larger and more complicated projects, thus making the work quicker, simpler, and neater; examines the correct and the incorrect ways of installing background materials such as underlay, battens, and valley liners; explains how to install interlocking tiles, plain tiles, and artificial and natural slates; covers both modern and traditional methods and skills, including cutting materials by hand without the assistance of power tools; and provides invaluable guidance on repairs and maintenance issues, and highlights common mistakes and how they can be avoided.
The author, Kevin Taylor, works for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors as a technical manager presenting technical advice and providing education and training for young roofers.
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
- The Carson Dunlop home study course for home inspectors can be examined at the company's website at http://www.carsondunlop.com/us/home-inspection-training/
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Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
- Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724
ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
- Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1405161035
ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
- Handbook of Building Crafts in Conservation, Jack Bower, Ed.,
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY 1981 ISBN 0-442-2135-3 Library of
Congress Catalog Card Nr. 81-50643.
- Problems in Roofing Design, B. Harrison McCampbell, Butterworth Heineman, 1991 ISBN 0-7506-9162-X (available used)
- "Weather-Resistive Barriers [copy on file as /interiors/Weather_Resistant_Barriers_DOE.pdf ] - ", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE
- ...
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