Totally agree that tile roofs aren't exactly maintenance-free. We had a tile roof installed about 12 years ago, and while the tiles themselves have held up beautifully, the underlayment started showing signs of wear around year 9—noticed some water stains in the attic after a particularly rainy season. Thankfully caught it early enough to avoid major damage, but it definitely reinforced the idea that periodic visual checks are worth doing. "Maintenance-lite" sums it up pretty well, but I'd never call them completely hassle-free.
You're spot on about the underlayment—it's the unsung hero (or villain) of tile roofs. Tiles themselves can last decades, but the underlayment usually needs attention around the 10-15 year mark, depending on climate and installation quality. I've seen plenty of homeowners surprised by leaks because they assumed tile meant zero maintenance. Regular visual checks are smart, but I'd also recommend scheduling a professional inspection every few years—catching small issues early saves big headaches later. Tile roofs are great, but "maintenance-free"? Nah, that's just marketing talk...
- Yep, learned that lesson the hard way when my own roof sprung a leak. Tiles looked perfect, underlayment...not so much. Now I always tell folks: trust tile roofs, but verify what's underneath every few years.
Good point about the underlayment—it's easy to overlook. I've seen roofs where the tiles were pristine, but the battens underneath were rotting away quietly. Makes me wonder, though, does anyone here have experience with synthetic underlayments? I've heard mixed things about their durability compared to traditional felt, especially long-term...
"I've heard mixed things about their durability compared to traditional felt, especially long-term..."
Synthetic underlayments can be solid, but honestly, I've inspected roofs where synthetic stuff got brittle after a decade or so. Traditional felt isn't perfect either, but at least it ages predictably... something to consider.
