Yeah, tile roofs aren't exactly the "set it and forget it" solution some folks imagine. I've seen tiles cracked by hailstorms or even random debris blowing around. Still, compared to chasing shingles around your yard after every gusty day, I'll take tile headaches any day...
Totally agree—tile roofs aren't bulletproof. I've had plenty of calls after storms where a branch or hail cracked tiles, and it's not just about replacing the broken ones. Underlayment can deteriorate over time, especially if moisture sneaks in unnoticed. Still, you're right about shingles being a bigger hassle overall. Tiles at least stay put in most weather, and repairs tend to be straightforward if caught early. Bottom line, tile roofs are solid, but don't buy into the "zero-maintenance" hype...there's no such thing.
- Yep, seen plenty of tile roofs with hidden issues... cracked tiles are obvious, but sneaky leaks underneath can cause a headache.
- Underlayment is the real wildcard here—seen it rot out way before the tiles themselves show any sign of trouble.
- Still, compared to shingles flying off every storm, tiles at least give you a fighting chance.
- Bottom line: "maintenance-free" is just marketing talk. Nothing survives mother nature without some TLC now and then...
Had a tile roof on my last place, and yeah, the tiles themselves held up great—but that underlayment was sneaky. Didn't even realize it was shot until a storm rolled through and suddenly had water spots on the ceiling... learned that lesson the hard way.
Tile roofs definitely aren't "set it and forget it" like some people think. Sure, the tiles themselves can last decades, but as you found out, it's what's underneath that counts. I had a similar issue a few years back—bought an older home with a tile roof thinking I'd be good for ages. Then one day, after a particularly heavy rain, I noticed a suspicious dark spot forming on my living room ceiling. Turns out, the underlayment was toast. Had to shell out way more than I'd planned to get it replaced.
Honestly, I think the whole "maintenance-free" idea is a bit of a myth. Tile roofs might need less frequent attention than asphalt shingles, but they're definitely not maintenance-free. You still gotta keep an eye on things like cracked tiles, debris buildup, and especially that sneaky underlayment. If you catch issues early, you can save yourself a lot of headaches (and money).
Makes me wonder though—how often should we realistically be checking the underlayment? Is there a recommended schedule or something? Seems like waiting until water spots appear isn't exactly ideal...
