Noticed a couple damp spots in the attic after the last heavy rain, and I'm pretty sure it's coming from the tile roof. I've heard tile roofs are supposed to be pretty durable, but um, clearly mine didn't get the memo. Anyone got tips or tricks for keeping these things watertight? Maybe some maintenance stuff I should've been doing but wasn't aware of? I'm not looking forward to buckets in the attic every time it rains, you know...
Had something similar happen a few years back. Tile roofs are generally solid, but they're not bulletproof—learned that the hard way. Turns out, the tiles themselves usually aren't the problem. It's what's underneath them that tends to give way first.
In my case, it was the underlayment that had deteriorated over time. Tiles can shift slightly with weather and wind, and once water finds its way underneath, that underlayment is what actually keeps your attic dry. Mine had worn out in a few spots, letting moisture seep through during heavy rains. Didn't realize this until I had someone up there inspecting closely after multiple damp patches started showing up.
Maintenance-wise, it's worth periodically checking for cracked or slipped tiles—especially after storms or high winds. Even small shifts can expose vulnerable areas beneath. Also, gutters and valleys tend to collect debris and can cause water backup if not cleared regularly. Learned to keep an eye on those areas too.
Ended up replacing sections of the underlayment and repositioning a few tiles that had moved around. Wasn't exactly cheap, but definitely cheaper than waiting until things got worse (and wetter). Haven't had any leaks since then—knock on wood.
Might be worth having a roofer come take a quick look if you're unsure about climbing up yourself... tile roofs can be tricky to walk on without causing more damage.
