"Last winter, ice built up under the tiles and caused leaks inside his attic—talk about a headache."
Yeah, ice dams can be rough, but honestly that's more about insulation and ventilation than the tile itself. Properly installed tile roofs can last decades with minimal fuss...seen plenty holding strong after 40+ years.
Tile roofs definitely hold up well, but calling them "maintenance-free" might be a stretch. Even the best tile setups need occasional checks for cracked tiles, flashing issues, or debris buildup—especially after storms or harsh winters. Better safe than sorry...
Totally agree with you on this one. I've seen plenty of tile roofs that have lasted decades, but "maintenance-free" is definitely overselling it. Sure, they're durable and can handle a lot, but they're not invincible. I remember working on a house last summer where the homeowner hadn't checked the roof in years because he assumed tile meant zero maintenance. When we finally got up there, we found a bunch of cracked tiles hidden under leaves and debris—probably from storms or branches falling. It wasn't catastrophic yet, but water had started seeping through in spots, causing some minor leaks inside. Could've been avoided with just a quick check every now and then.
Another thing people overlook is the flashing around chimneys or vents. Tile itself might be sturdy, but flashing can deteriorate or shift over time, especially after heavy winds or temperature swings. I've seen perfectly good tile roofs leak simply because the flashing wasn't inspected regularly.
Also worth mentioning: moss buildup. Depending on your climate, moss and algae can start growing between tiles, especially if your roof doesn't get much sun exposure. It might seem harmless at first, but over time it traps moisture and can slowly cause damage underneath. A quick cleaning every couple of years goes a long way.
Bottom line—tile roofs are great investments and definitely lower-maintenance compared to some other roofing materials (like asphalt shingles), but they're not set-it-and-forget-it solutions. A little routine care and occasional inspections can save you from bigger headaches down the road...
Couldn't agree more about the moss issue. We had a tile roof on our previous home, and it was shaded by some big trees. Looked great at first, but after a couple of rainy seasons, moss started creeping in between the tiles. At first, I thought it was just cosmetic—honestly kinda liked the rustic look—but then I noticed moisture lingering longer after rains. Eventually, we had to get someone up there to clean it off and treat it.
Another thing I've noticed is that people underestimate how brittle tiles can get over time. Sure, they're tough, but if you ever have to walk on them for inspections or repairs, you gotta be super careful. I've accidentally cracked a few myself just trying to clear debris or check flashing. Learned pretty quickly to step lightly and only on the overlaps.
So yeah, tile roofs are solid and definitely worth it long-term, but calling them maintenance-free is stretching it a bit...
"Sure, they're tough, but if you ever have to walk on them for inspections or repairs, you gotta be super careful."
True, but honestly, that's more about technique than tile fragility. I've seen 50-year-old tile roofs hold up great when people know how to navigate them properly. Still, you're right—maintenance-free is definitely overselling it a bit.
