Have my roof tiles come loose?

Like slipped roof slates, roof tiles can get dislodged or loosened by a number of causes. This includes severe weather conditions, algae growth and ageing materials. But how can you tell if your tiles have come unfixed before contacting a roofer? Here’s our easy guide to spotting loose roof tiles at your property.

Roof tile cracks and splits

Cracked tiles are one of the first signs your pitched roofing needs repairs. Even if it’s just a very small crack, water can freeze and expand in the gap during icy temperatures, slowly making the problem worse and loosening tiles from their position.

It can be challenging spotting weather damage on tiles until it’s too late. You can sometimes see broken tiles that have fallen off a property after a storm. Therefore, it’s best to request regular roof inspections each year (particularly after bad weather). During high winds, airborne debris may hit roof tiles and cause cracks or other damage.

Unsecured roof fixings

Roof tiles are typically attached to properties using mechanical fixings like nails into roofing batons or clips for interlocking tiles. Secure roof tile fixings are essential for withstanding strong wind speeds and maintaining the overall structural integrity of your roofing.

If fixings start to loosen, you may notice the pattern of your roof tiles no longer looks totally uniform. Always ask a trained roofing contractor to take a closer look to confirm what’s happening. They can re-fix anything that has become loose or advise if replacements are required.

Internal roof leaks

If you go up into your attic or loft space (if it’s safe to do so), you may be able to spot if there’s an issue. Loose roof tiles can lead to problems like water ingress, damp, mould growth, mildew and leaks. Anything amiss with your internal roofing area usually indicates a problem on the outside.

A roofer can come and assess your internal and external roofing to find the root cause of the problem. For example, if tiles have come loose along the bottom row, there may be signs of moisture ingress at the point of your fascias and soffits. This is something a trained professional can identify easily.

Moss on your roof

Algae growth and moss on roof tiles is a leading cause of displacement as it spreads underneath the materials. If tiles are lifted up, it can cause issues across your entire roof and internal water leaks.

Request a professional roof clean and an inspection to ensure you tackle any issues left by the moss growth. Even if you’ve had all the algae removed, the damage may have already happened.

Get a roof tile inspection

At Collier Roofing, we specialise in flat and pitched roofing, including all types of tiled roofs. We offer roof tile inspections, upgrades and repairs across London, Surrey and surrounding areas, such as Godstone and Hooley.

For more tiled roofing advice, contact us.