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Roofing/Tile roof repair Help - South County Roofing

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Expert: Brian Atkins - 7/2/2009


Question
Brian

We live in Florida and have a 15 year old flat tile roof which has NOT leaked to date. After about four straight days of rain recently we noticed a long water stain about 4" wide (still wet) in our kitchen ceiling. While it was raining, I roughly identified the area where it was leaking inside the attic which was near an 8' roof vent. After the rain stopped, I noticed that a roof tile had slid completely out of place AND it is near the roof vent (This is the first time I have ever had a tile slide out in this area.) I am in the process of engaging a professional roofer to take a look at the situation.

Is it possible that the tile just simply needs to be put back in place? We had about 10" of rain over about a six day period in mid-MAy this year and had NO leaks.

Is the movement of the tile exposing open areas around the vent that need to be shored up by a roofer? I do not understand how a roof vent is installed but from my readings I see that most leaks in tile roofs occur near vents and flashing etc. and repairs are needed near these fixtures.

Anything specific I should have the roofer look for in this case? I don't want to create a bigger project than needed but would like to take advantage of his time if he is up there and some routine maintenece could be done.

I would sincerely appreciate your comments.

Thanks again!

Tim Steiner  

Answer

South County Roofing
Good Morning Tim,

I slipped or displaced is probably a result of a lack of tile adhesive and fastener.  

Typically tiles set next to a flashing are not nailed either because the tile was cut (and there's no nail hole after the tile was cut# or they didn't want to drive a nail through the flashing #whish is not a good idea).

You want to make sure the roofer does apply some sort of tile adhesive so that the tile doesn't slip out again.  I would have him look at the whole roof and make sure there is not any more slipped tiles.  

You should have him check the mortar and make sure that cracked or damaged mortar is repaired, look for broken tiles and repair them, check the underlayment under the tile that is slipped and make sure it is not damaged and if so repair it.

Hopefully you can find someone to do a thorough assessment and find what need to be found and help you fix it.

Brian

Brian Atkins

Expertise

I can answer any question related to all type of roof repairs (especially tile roof repair and flat roof repair work). I can also answer most new roof or roofing related questions with the exception of questions in regards to single ply roofing (PVC) and standing seam or metal panel roofing. I have little or no experience with those applications.

Experience

I was first introduced to roofing by my father who was started his own roofing career in Orange County CA. By the time I was 10 years old I knew what most general roofing materials were and had some idea of their purpose. At the age of thirteen I started working during the summer for my Fathers roofing company Atkins Certified Custom Home Roofing. After graduating from La Quinta High School in 1988 I immediately began working full time as a journeyman roofer doing roof repair work and complete new roofs. My area of specialty and interests has always been on the roof repair side of the business. My Dad did an excellent job at teaching me the basics of roof repair. He showed me some of the techniques that were taught to him from old time roofers that took him under their belt when he was an apprentice. In 1992 my Dad signed for my first license and formed a partnership with me and I started my first roofing company in Irvine CA. This is where started to make my own niche in roofing by specializing in roof repair, dry rot repair, termite damage repair, and full roof restorations. In 1997 I took the CSLB testing and qualified for a license on my own and moved my roofing business location to Lake Forest, CA 92630. Currently I operate South County Roofing company serving the following areas of Orange County Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Aliso Viejo, Buena Park, Brea, Cypress, Capistrano Beach, Costa Mesa, Corona Del Mar, Dana Point, El Toro, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Foothill Ranch, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Lemon Heights, Mission Viejo, Orange, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Seal Beach, Silverado Canyon, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Trabuco Canyon, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda

Education/Credentials
La Quinta High School 1988 Westminster, Ca 92683-7098

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