Clay Roof Tiles or Concrete Roof Tiles, Each Require Periodic Maintenance to Stay in Top Condition
The Arizona luxury homes that we build at Woodridge Custom Builders, are often constructed with concrete roof tiles or over-the-thigh-hand-shaped clay roof tiles. Each offers durability, longevity, quality and beauty. Both types of roofing tile must be installed over an approved roof covering complying with local codes, usually a 90-pound underlayment. Roof tiles, either clay or concrete are actually decorative materials.
The roof of your home offers protection, while adding beauty and complementing your home’s architectural style. Although roof tiles will usually last a lifetime, there are some limitations to their durability. Neither type of roof, concrete or clay can be walked on. These roof tiles are susceptible to breakage. There have been times when we’ve had to send our roofing contractor to a home because someone walked on the roof breaking several pieces. One situation after a teenager retrieved a shoe that a visiting friend threw on the roof. Another situation after a homeowner repainted the chimney of his home. Several broken tiles had to be replaced after walking on them. In the case of the repainted chimney, tiles had to be replaced along the path to the chimney, around the chimney and back down again. If at all possible, only allow a licensed roofing contractor on the roof. As a builder of Arizona luxury homes, we offer guidelines to our customers, but the guidelines are applicable to any home with concrete or clay roof tiles.
Flashings are metal plates used to seal places where the roof connects with walls, chimneys, valleys or where two roof slopes meet. Where metal roof flashings and roof materials meet, there will be some expansion and contraction due to seasonal temperature changes. Should a leak occur after the warranty period has expired, we recommend calling a qualified and licensed roofing contractor to make any necessary repairs. If a leak is not repaired, the supporting material located under the leak will eventually deteriorate.
One of our customers had contacted us long after his warranty period had expired. He contacted us because he was upset that he had some very fine drywall cracks in his garage walls. It didn’t take long to realize after looking into the attic space above his garage why he had small drywall cracks. He had laid 4’x 8’ plywood pieces over the trusses in his garage ceiling and used the area as an additional storage area. There was enough stuff up there to practically fill an entire garage stall. NOTHING should be stored in the attic of your home. The trusses are designed to carry the load of the roof, not for storage. Attic access panels are designed for qualified service personnel only, and should left alone otherwise.
Roofs are installed with some type of natural ventilation, sometimes there will be louvers located on the walls of a pitched roof, other times there are vents designed to match roof tiles and spaced periodically along the roof. These vents are necessary to allow warm, moist air to escape and should not be covered. They need to remain unobstructed and open all year round. If closed, moisture may accumulate in the attic space.
At Woodridge Custom Builders, as a builder of Arizona luxury homes we recommend that homeowners get a periodic inspection of their roofing system by a qualified roofing contractor to check the roof penetrations such as vent stacks, chimneys, and to check metal flashings. Preventive maintenance is definitely worth the effort, cracked or broken roof tiles, water leaks, and excessive moisture in attic spaces are problems best prevented, and immediately corrected if a problem is detected.
Clay Roof tile
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There are many different areas where your roof can leak. I always felt it is important to isolate the problem area and get it fixed as soon as possible. Remember, it is important to have regular roof inspections done to ensure its integrity isn’t compromised.
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