Hail Damage To Clay Tile Roof

Here s a clay tile roof looking down from above.

Hail damage to clay tile roof.

Roof tiles are tested in the range of a one to two inch simulated impact testing in accordance with fm 4473 impact testing standard. However it is possible for small chips to break off the edges and corners of the tile. Clay tile roofs are often damaged by foot traffic ice and snow or by severe storms. Hail is a powerful force of nature that can even damage roofs made with concrete tiles if the stones are large enough and wind speeds are high.

Because seamless gutters are frequently feature aluminum or copper construction the signs of hail damage include telltale denting. Hail damage to clay tile roofs clay tile durability. Clay roof tiles are available in a variety of shapes colors textures and sizes. Patch cracks and small chips by filling them with roofing mortar.

Clay and concrete tile are by far the most cost effective attractive long lasting roofing material for any residential or commercial structure. Tile roofs are naturally fireproof and exceed current seismic load requirements for building materials when installed to the current fastening requirements. Dealing with hail damage. A lack of glazing b pitting c spalling and d void in the tile when made.

Actual hail damage to clay or concrete tiles is typically characterized by crescent shaped fractures at the edges shattered tiles or star shaped fractures emanating from the point of impact. Severe impacts or forces such as a tree branch or a heavy tool dropped onto a roof can crack or break roof tiles. Gutters are also susceptible to hail damage. If small hailstones have damaged your clay roofing tile the damage is usually limited to shallow hairline cracks.

While roof tiles are designed to perform well in hail regions they may be damaged in severe hail storms producing hail stones larger than 2 in diameter. Our photo left shows the author df back to camera examining a clay tile roof installed on the hwang lim won orphanage in seoul korea in 1966. They normally offer a very long roof life with some clay roofs lasting for generations. Repairing chips and hairline.

The roof was constructed using an s tile profile and was not leaking. Both types of damage can usually be repaired without replacing the tiles. Tile is a long lasting roofing material that in ideal conditions can last 75 years or longer. Figures uploaded by tim marshall author content.

Clay and concrete tile have been tested in the harshest of weather elements including heavy rain hurricane force winds damaging hail and freeze thaw conditions. While small hailstones that are less than 2 inches in diameter don t typically damage clay. Clay roof tiles also called terracotta roof tiles have been used for ages.