With their hardiness and old world appeal, clay tile roofs bring a historic character to the home; however, after 60-100 years, leaks often become evident.
Many tile themselves are not completely water tight. They depend on an underlayment that rests between the clay tile on top and the wooden deck below, said Mark Sherby, a quality control expert for The Durable Slate Company.
Typically, it’s the asphalt-based underlayment that begins to deteriorate, which leads to leaks.
How do you fix this?
Established in 1986, Durable Slate has installed, repaired or restored hundreds of tile roofs.
“It’s important that the underlayment, flashings and tile are installed to strict standards. Using an inexperienced company can potentially cause more damage,” Sherby said.
Quality is essential to restoring tile roofs. Durable Slate emphasizes the use of copper fasteners on clay tiles since they do not rust. Using old-world techniques, Durable Slate employees hand-solder the seams of their copper flashing work wherever it is appropriate.
“Caulking might last a few years, but a proper soldering job can last more than 75 years. Plus it’s maintenance free,” Sherby said.
“Preserving the craftsmanship of a bygone era is our specialty,” Sherby said. “We take pride in maintaining the historic appeal of these homes.”
Mark Sherby works in The Durable Slate Company’s Quality Control Division. He has been working on slate and tile roofs for the last 15 years.