Maintaining a Tile Roof Tile in Orange County

One of the benefits of installing a tile roof on your home is that they’re virtually maintenance-free. But “virtually” maintenance-free doesn’t mean the same thing as totally maintenance-free. You still need to do some maintenance with your clay tile roof - or hire OC roofing companies to do it.

Luckily, maintaining a clay tile roof is relatively simple. Here are the steps you should take to keep yours in excellent shape:

1. Inspect regularly

First, make sure that you regularly inspect the clay tiles on your roof. This is especially true after a storm or strong wind. While clay is very durable and not likely to break, it does happen sometimes. And you definitely want to replace a broken tile as soon as possible, before more damage occurs.

If you do notice broken, slipped, missing, or chipped tiles, be sure that you call a qualified Orange County roofing company, like Luke Roofing, Inc. to fix the problem. Clay isn’t as simple for DIYers to fix as asphalt shingles.

2. Power wash

Like all roofs, you definitely need to be sure that you keep your clay tile roof clean. Dirty roofs invite all sorts of problems - from nesting critters to mold growth. So make sure that you regularly clean your roof, especially if it gets debris on it from nearby trees.

One of the easiest ways to clean your clay tile roof yourself is with a power washer. Power washing can be done in an afternoon. If tiles are growing algae, rinse them in a special roof rinse that will break down the algae without harming the environment around your home. Talk to OC roofing companies about how best to wash your roof.

3. Seal it

When you replace or fix your clay tile roof, talk to well qualified Orange County roofing companies about whether or not you should seal your roof. Clay roof tiles don’t always need sealed, but sometimes it’s helpful for protecting them from color fading and algae.

If your clay roof does need sealing, you might want to contact professional OC roofing companies to do it for you. The process of sealing can get tricky, especially since you can’t really walk on a clay tile roof safely. So it’s best to call in the pros for this one!

4. Don’t worry

Sometimes your clay roof may get streaks on it. This is known as efflorescence. It occurs when chemicals from rain interact with the clay tiles, causing streaks. If these streaks are very bothersome, you can usually rinse them away with a power washer. But if you wait long enough, they’ll usually fade away on their own.

Also, don’t worry about cleaning your roof frequently, especially if you don’t notice any obvious problems. Clay roofs are very resistant to algae, mold, stains, and other problems that plague asphalt and concrete roofs. If you do notice an issue, you might keep an eye on it, and clean your roof if the problem doesn’t resolve quickly.

5. Know when to call in the pros

Even if you’ve managed to maintain your asphalt shingle roof by yourself in the past, dealing with clay tile is totally different. For one thing, clay tiles can crack if you walk on them. Also, their rounded shape makes them difficult to keep your balance on. So it’s very easy to slip off of a clay roof.

If any maintenance for your roof requires that you get out on the actual roof, it’s time to call in the pros. OC roofing companies have the equipment and experience necessary to ensure that your roof gets cleaned and repaired properly, while also ensuring that everyone stays safe while working on your roof.

Wondering if there’s anything else you can do to keep your clay tile roof in great shape? Ask away in the comments section, and we’ll answer as best we can.

If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to Luke Roofing. A long-established Orange County roofer, we provide prompt, reliable expertise for every residential roofing need and situation. Wherever and whenever you need roofing services in Westminster or anywhere else in OC, you definitely can count on Luke Roofing.