Keeping the Rain Where It Belongs: An Homage to Roofs

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How Do Tile Roof Installers Increase Roof Lifespan?

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Tile roofs are one of the most durable, long-lasting roofing options. However, as you may have heard, they need to be installed properly in order to stand the test of time. This means you should hire a professional to install your tile roof instead of attempting a DIY job. But that may have you wondering — just what do installers do to ensure the tile roof lasts? Here are some key steps they take.

Installing a Proper Underlayment

Tile roofs can fail quite quickly if water gets under the tile and comes into contact with the roof deck. The water causes the roof deck to start rotting, which compromises the integrity of many tiles attached to it. To prevent this from occurring, roofers install a really durable underlayment under tile roofing. This is not just a sheet of thick paper as is used on some shingle roofs. It's an engineered, waterproof membrane. This way, if any water runs under a single broken tile, the roof deck is still protected and the other tiles don't become compromised.

Installing the Tiles Loosely

Each tile is anchored to the roof surface with a little wire or clip. One's instinct may be to attach the tile as tightly as possible to keep it in place, but actually, this is a bad idea. Tiles do best and last longer when they are installed a little loosely. This way, they can move around and shift a little if someone steps on them or presses on them. If a branch falls on the roof, the tiles will give a little instead of immediately cracking. It can take roofers a little practice to get the "looseness" of the tile just right, which is why hiring experienced roofers is key.

Using Corrosion-Resistant Fasteners

Installers have to select the fasteners and nails they use carefully. The best tile roof installers will only use corrosion-resistant fasteners. Otherwise, the fasteners may corrode before the tile itself becomes compromised. Once the fasteners corrode, that's the end of your tile roof's life. Corrosion-resistant fasteners will last as long as the tile instead of becoming the weak point.

Hopefully this article has given you a better understanding of tile roofing and how it is installed for longevity. If a tile roof is installed well, it could be around for a long time. For more information on roofing and how to increase the lifespan of your roof, contact a contractor near you.


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