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home_decorator_guy

Need advice on Tile Roof Repair

home_decorator_guy
15 years ago

So we have a 50 year Monier tile roof that is 5 years old. Recently we had a professional service clean the roof and gutters. The guy who did the job told us a couple of tiles were cracked but that it wasn't really a problem. Then, 2 days later, one of the tiles fell off the roof! Fortunately it happened at night so nobody was hurt; it crashed down on our back deck and really could have been dangerous.

We called the cleaning service back and they sent a roofing contractor out to have a look at the tile. Now he is saying it will cost $600 to $1000 to repair! While the cleaning service owner admits its an unlikely coincidence, he says that they are not responsible since the tile may have been cracked or loose before they went up to do the cleaning.

Anybody have suggestions what to do in this situation please?

Comments (6)

  • ron6519
    15 years ago

    You don't mention how the cleaners moved about on the roof. It sounds like they walked directly on the tiles. If that's the case, you will probably see more tiles come off the roof.
    When you said, "So we have a 50 year Monier tile roof that is 5 years old." Did you mean these were recycled tiles. It's also possible that some of these tiles got cracked upon the initial removal or the re-install.
    I'd bring in a roofing company that wasn't associated with the cleaning company by getting other estimates.
    I don't think you can assign blame without having watched them crawl all over the roof.
    Ron

  • dilly_dally
    15 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your situation. If the cleaning company is not willing to admit any responsibilty, which is very likely in any case, you may have to go to small claims court to collect. If you do that you will have to have a very strong case with evidence of negligence on their part, not coincidence in the event. You probably don't have photos of them working on the roof or witnesses. I would do what Ron says and hire a roofing company to inspect the roof. There may be other tiles ready to come down and/or they may be able to detect damgage and assess the cause more accurately. They may be able to tell if the cracks are from footprints or other causes.

  • home_decorator_guy
    Original Author
    15 years ago

    Thanks guys,

    Yes, they walked on the roof; how else are they going to clean it? The roof was installed new when the house was built in 2003 and has a 50 year warranty (materials only) so I hope none of the material is "recycled". I'm still waiting to hear back from the 1st roofing contractor who was sent out to inspect by the cleaning company last week. I would not want to go to small claims court as it will of course be a question as to whether the cleaning was what loosened the tile that fell off or if it was already loose. Thanks for the tips!

  • ron6519
    15 years ago

    Tile roofs, like slate roofs should never be walked on directly. You have a few options that will preserve the integrity of these roofs. Ladders that hook over the ridge and plywood that disperses the weight over an area that doesn't compromise structure. But that takes time and material and most homeowners have no idea about it, so they don't do it.
    The problems arise over time so they can deny responsibility.
    Ron

  • kec01
    15 years ago

    DO NOT have just any old roofing company work on your roof. Absolutely get a roofing company that specializes in tile roofs out to look at yours. If you get any old joe schmo to do the fix, the odds are good that they won't know about the peculiarities of tile. When replacing tiles, one absolutely must reuse the same nail holes. If one doesn't, they you risk holes in the sheathing and future water damage. In 2005, we had a 6' x 6' square of tile removed and reinstalled to replace a leak in the sheathing and the cost then was $1800.

    Do yourself a favor and get a specialist to give an estimate.

  • dilly_dally
    15 years ago

    Posted by home_decorator_guy:"Yes, they walked on the roof; how else are they going to clean it?"

    You don't walk directly on the roof.

    So you saw them walking on the roof then? And did not stop them?

    You better have it inspected now and repaired before problems from the damage get worse.