The waterproof roofing underlayment beneath your concrete tiles plays an important protective role in preventing your roof from leaking. Wind-blown rain that finds its way beneath these concrete tiles will be blocked by the underlayment, stopping it from leaking into your attic. Unfortunately, the underlayment can be a weak point in your roofing system. It's made of plastic and will deteriorate faster than the concrete tiles above it. Ultraviolet light and extreme changes in temperature will speed up the process of deterioration.
A worn underlayment will no longer be able to protect your attic from leaks. You'll need to have it replaced in order to prevent your roof from leaking. Since the plastic roofing underlayment deteriorates faster than the concrete tiles, the tiles may still be in good enough condition to reuse. In order to reuse the concrete tiles, a roofing replacement service will carefully remove the fasteners that keep them attached to your roof deck and lay them aside before replacing the underlayment. Afterward, the tiles will be gently reattached to your roof. To learn about the advantages and disadvantages of reusing your concrete tiles when you're having the underlayment replaced, read on.
Advantages of Reusing Your Concrete Tiles
By reusing your concrete tiles, you'll be able to save money on installation. This is the biggest advantage of using your existing tiles. The process of taking off the tiles and replacing them requires the same amount of work as installing new ones, so the labor costs of installation will be about the same. However, you can save money on material costs by avoiding the need to pay for more concrete tiles.
Another advantage of reusing your existing tiles is that it's better for the environment. When you remove and dispose of the old concrete tiles, they will most likely be destined for the landfill. When you reuse them, you'll keep them out of the landfill and continue to make them useful by protecting your roof from rain and wind.
Disadvantages of Reusing Your Concrete Tiles
Unfortunately, some tiles will inevitably be broken during the process of removing and reinstalling them, and this can create a problem with the color of your roof. You'll need to purchase a few new tiles to replace any that were broken during removal or reinstallation, and it's difficult to match the color of the new tiles to your old ones. Concrete tile will slowly fade in the sun, so the new tiles will be noticeably darker in color than your old ones, even if they're made by the same manufacturer. Thankfully, this problem can be minimized by installing the new tiles in an inconspicuous location, such as a roof slope that can't be easily seen from the street or the ground.
Another disadvantage of reusing your old tiles is that they won't be as durable as new concrete tiles. Concrete tile oxidizes over time while it's sitting on your roof, causing it to become more brittle. While old concrete tile can still withstand wind and rain, it's more likely to break when it's stepped on by a contractor or when a tree branch falls on it. Installing new replacement tiles may cost more, but it will provide you with a stronger roof.
Overall, the choice of reusing your concrete tiles or replacing them often comes down to cost savings. You can save money on your replacement roof by using your old tiles. However, they won't be as strong as tiles that are newly manufactured. The best way to find out if reusing your tiles is a good option when you're having your underlayment replaced is to ask a residential roof replacement service. They can inspect the condition of your tiles to gauge how much longer they will last, giving you a better idea of whether reusing them or replacing them all is the most sensible option.
Contact a local roofing company, such as M & B Roofing, to learn more.
