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Roof Tile Removal
Roof tiles are an alternative to standard roofing systems such as iron sheets. The significant role of roof tiles is to protect the inner parts of the roof system. Roof tiles have a long durability of about 40-45 years. However, a time comes when you will need to remove roof tiles for replacement.
Various factors may necessitate the removal and replacement of roof tiles. Elements such as debris, strong winds, or severe snow can break or damage roof tiles. When this happens, removing the damaged roof tiles and replacing them with new ones is necessary.
Why Is It Essential To Remove And Replace Broken Tiles?
Broken or damaged roof tiles leave gaps in your roof system that may highly likely lead to roof leakage. The entry of water through the roof not only weakens and destroys the roofing system but also poses a danger to your other property in the house. You may not have to hire a professional if a few roof tiles on your roof are broken or entirely damaged.
With the right tools, enough time, and the knowledge required for this process, you can effortlessly remove and replace such roof tiles by yourself. However, suppose a significant number of your roof tiles need removal and replacement. In that case, it may be best to hire the services of a professional to avoid causing further damage to your roof.
Similarly, the cost of removing and replacing your roof tiles depends on the number of tiles to be removed and replaced and the mode of removal and replacement. This article highlights the steps to follow when removing and replacing roof tiles. Keep reading!
How To Remove And Replace Roof Tiles
Step One: Choose the correct roof tile
First, ensure that you have the right roof tile for replacement purposes. There are various types of roof tiling, such as clay roof tiles, concrete roof tiles, terracotta, etc. Therefore, you must have the same type of roof tile as your old or broken ones.
Using a different kind of roof tile may cause damage and make you incur unnecessary extra expenses. It is best to carry one roof tile to your supplier as a sample if you are not sure what type of roof tile you have.
Step Two: Make your way onto the roof
Once you are absolutely satisfied that you have the correct roof tiles you need, the next step is climbing to the roof. Removing and replacing roof tiles is a head height task. Therefore, you need to be sure that you do not have problems with heights.
Risks are certainly involved, such as falling from the roof and suffering severe injuries. As such, if you do not have the necessary skills to do this, call a professional. If you do, all you need is a ladder that reaches your roof. Similarly, you can use climbing ropes for extra safety.
Step Three: Remove the old or broken tiles
To remove old or broken tiles, first, you need to slide the tiles downwards. You must slide the tiles downwards gently to ensure that you do not interfere with the remaining overlapping tiles.
After that, you will need a pair of pliers to remove the nails attached to the batten (the roofing material placed before tiles on a roof). You can also use a cold chisel or a bolster to cut the nails instead of a pair of pliers. Using these tools will make the process effortless and ensure the tiles' proper removal.
Step Four: Fix the clip onto the batten
At this stage, you will need to fix the clip onto the batten located between the spaces in the two slates. It would be easier if you used a galvanised nail (25mm) from the end and fixed it into the batten. This will ensure that the long edge runs vertically while the short edge runs horizontally.
After attaching the clip to the batten, slide the new tile into the position of the older tile while ensuring that it rests on the new fixed clip. You should flip the bottom of the clip over the tile for better results to avoid any damage.
Step Five: Removal of non-nailed tiles
The two steps above are essential when removing tiles that are nailed to the batten. However, when your roof has non-nailed tiles, the removal is more straightforward. If your roof tiles are not nailed to the batten, they are probably held firm by nibs that protrude at the top of the edge.
To remove an old or broken non-nailed tile, it would help to tilt the other tiles slightly above the old or damaged tile to create sufficient space for the removal of the remains of the broken tile. Experts suggest using a small wedge to hold the tiles in place as you slide the old or broken tile from below for proper replacement.
Step Six: Tighten the nibs
Finally, after removing the old or broken non-nailed tile, you will need to firmly tighten the nibs onto the timber. After that, ease the tiles you held with a small wedge back into their positions. As you do this, ensure that the nibs are hooked over the batten. Once you are done with these steps, you can now remove the wedges.
When To Call An Expert
Clearly, roof work is not child's play. This process is dangerous due to the climbing involved. Sometimes you may need to climb over steep or slippery walls, which may not be comfortable nor safe. Moreover, much caution is required to walk on the roof. Whereas roofers are trained to climb and walk on the roof with ease, the average person can't do this safely.
And while removing and replacing roof tiles by yourself helps you save some costs; it is not worth suffering severe injuries. Therefore, if you do not have the requisite skills, you should hire an expert to remove and replace roof tiles. Apart from safety purposes, lack of experience may also lead to further damages and hence more expenses.
You may have skills and knowledge in removing and replacing roof tiles but not more than a trained roofer. Without training and expertise, there are high chances that you will make mistakes or even cause further damage to your tiles and the roof. Therefore, for the safety of your tiles, your roof, and yourself, it is never a bad idea to employ the licensed services of an expert. A trained professional is aware of some of the risks that you are not. They can also help you budget and reduce costs.
