Yeah, totally agree—tile roofs are solid, but definitely not bulletproof. I've seen similar issues with moss buildup too...it looks harmless at first, but over time it can lift or shift tiles just enough to cause leaks. Regular check-ups save headaches later on.
"I've seen similar issues with moss buildup too...it looks harmless at first, but over time it can lift or shift tiles just enough to cause leaks."
Yeah, moss is sneaky like that. I've come across roofs where the tiles looked perfectly fine from the ground, but once you get up close, it's a whole different story. Ever noticed how moss seems to love shady areas especially? Makes me wonder if certain roof shapes or orientations are more prone to these issues.
Also curious—has anyone here dealt with cracked or chipped tiles from hail or falling branches? I've seen a few cases where homeowners assumed tile roofs were practically indestructible until a storm rolled through and proved otherwise. Seems like "maintenance-free" might be stretching it a bit...maybe "low-maintenance" is more accurate?
Tile roofs definitely aren't maintenance-free, though they're certainly lower-maintenance compared to some other roofing materials. I've dealt with plenty of roofs where moss buildup was a real headache—especially on north-facing slopes or areas shaded by large trees. One homeowner I worked with had a beautiful Spanish tile roof that looked pristine from the driveway, but once we got up there, we found several tiles shifted and cracked due to moss growth underneath.
As for storm damage, tile roofs can be surprisingly vulnerable. A few years back, after a particularly nasty hailstorm, I inspected a roof that had dozens of chipped and cracked tiles. The homeowner was shocked because they'd always assumed tile meant indestructible. Truth is, while tile is durable and long-lasting under normal conditions, it's still susceptible to impact damage from hail or falling branches.
Regular inspections every couple of years—and especially after major storms—can save you from bigger headaches down the road. It's definitely worth the effort to catch these issues early before they turn into leaks or structural problems.
"Regular inspections every couple of years—and especially after major storms—can save you from bigger headaches down the road."
Couldn't agree more with this. Tile roofs are tough, sure, but they're definitely not bulletproof. I've seen plenty of homeowners surprised by broken tiles after storms because they assumed tile meant zero maintenance. Here's a quick rundown I usually recommend:
1. Every year or two, do a visual inspection from the ground—look for obvious shifts or missing tiles.
2. After any big storm (hail, heavy winds), it's worth getting up there or hiring someone to check for cracks and chips you can't see from below.
3. Moss buildup is sneaky, especially in shaded areas. Using a moss treatment spray once every couple of years can help prevent tile shifting.
4. If you spot cracked tiles early enough, replacing them individually is pretty straightforward and much cheaper than dealing with leaks later.
So yeah, tile roofs are lower-maintenance than something like wood shakes...but definitely not maintenance-free.
Yup, learned this the hard way myself. Bought my first house a couple years ago and figured tile roof meant "set it and forget it"... until a nasty windstorm blew through. Didn't notice anything wrong from the ground, but when I finally climbed up there months later, found two cracked tiles and a bunch of debris stuck underneath. Quick fix luckily, but could've been way worse if I'd waited longer. So yeah, regular checks are definitely worth the effort.
