Either way, make sure your underlayment is bombproof. That’s what really saves you when things get weird.
Couldn’t agree more—underlayment’s the unsung hero up here. I’ve seen tile hold up fine on a steep pitch, but if you get a single cracked piece and the underlayment’s not up to snuff, you’re in for a world of hurt come spring melt. Metal’s less fussy, but I get the appeal of tile. Just don’t skip the ice & water shield, and maybe budget for a few replacement tiles every couple years... unless you like surprise leaks in February.
That’s what I’m worried about—how do you even know if your underlayment is “bombproof”? My inspector said ours was fine, but I keep hearing horror stories about ice dams and leaks. Is it worth pulling up a few tiles to double-check, or am I just being paranoid?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think pulling up tiles just to “double-check” might be overkill unless you’ve got a real reason to suspect something’s wrong. Inspectors aren’t perfect, but if yours actually got up there and poked around, that’s more than a lot of folks get. I’ve been down the rabbit hole reading about ice dams too—scary stuff, but it seems like most of those horror stories come from places with really poor attic insulation or ventilation, not just bad underlayment.
If you start yanking up tiles and something cracks or doesn’t go back right, you could end up with leaks that weren’t even there before. Plus, some warranties get voided if you mess with things yourself. Maybe focus on making sure your attic stays cold (good insulation, proper airflow) and keep an eye out for any signs of water stains inside. Paranoia’s easy when it’s your first winter in a new house—I’m right there with you—but sometimes it’s better to trust the process unless you see actual red flags.
- Tile roofs can totally handle harsh winters, but a lot depends on the install and what’s underneath.
- Key things: solid underlayment, good slope for drainage, and making sure there’s no spot where water can sneak in and freeze.
- I get the urge to double-check everything (been there), but yeah, pulling up tiles is risky unless you see something weird—cracked tiles, shifting, or leaks inside.
- Insulation and airflow in the attic are huge. If your attic stays cold, you’re way less likely to get ice dams.
- I’ve seen tile roofs in snowy spots hold up for decades, but the ones that fail usually had shortcuts taken during install or bad attic setups.
- If you’re worried, maybe just keep an eye out after big storms or thaws. Look for drips or stains inside before going nuclear on the roof itself.
- And yeah, warranties can be super picky about DIY stuff... learned that the hard way with my last place.
- If you ever do need repairs, try to find someone who’s worked with tile in cold climates—it’s a different beast than asphalt or metal.
I’ve seen tile roofs hold up in rough winters, but I’m always a little skeptical unless I know what’s under them. The underlayment is a big deal, but so is the way the flashing’s done—one bad spot and you’re dealing with freeze/thaw damage real fast. I had a neighbor who skipped proper attic venting and ended up with ice dams that trashed his sheathing, even though the tiles looked fine from the outside. Personally, I’d rather spend extra time checking attic airflow than start pulling up tiles unless there’s an obvious issue. Warranties are a headache if you do anything yourself, too... learned that lesson the hard way.
