Roof Replacements
Concrete Tile Roof Replacement in Sydney
A hard-wearing concrete tile roof, re-laid and re-pointed to shrug off Sydney storms.
Concrete tiles cover a huge share of Sydney's post-war and project homes -- they are strong, affordable and everywhere. Their weakness is the surface coating: over twenty or thirty years it wears away, the tile goes porous, soaks up water and grows moss, and the roof gets heavier and starts to leak. Once the coating is gone across the whole roof, cleaning and sealing only buys a little time. A concrete tile replacement gives you a fresh, weather-tight roof without the recurring maintenance of a tired one.
How concrete tiles wear out
Concrete tiles are protected by a factory colour coating, not the concrete itself. Sydney's UV, salt and rain slowly erode that coating, and once it is gone the raw concrete underneath is porous. Porous tiles absorb water, which makes the roof heavier, feeds moss and lichen, and eventually lets moisture through. You will see it as faded, chalky, blotchy tiles with green or black growth in the shaded gullies.
At that stage the tiles are not waterproof so much as water-resistant, and they lean hard on the sarking beneath -- which, on older roofs, may not exist.
Replace versus clean and recoat
There is an honest fork here. If the tiles are structurally sound and just dirty, a proper clean and recoat can refresh the look and add years. But if tiles are cracked, delaminating, or the roof has no sarking and keeps leaking, recoating is lipstick on a worn-out roof -- you are sealing the surface of tiles that are failing underneath. We will tell you plainly which situation you are in rather than selling you the option that suits us.
What we upgrade during the replacement
A concrete tile re-roof is the chance to correct what the original builder skimped on. We add sarking where there was none, renew the battens to the correct gauge, replace rusted valley irons, and re-bed and flexibly point the ridge caps so they stop cracking open every summer. New tiles come with their coating intact, so the roof starts fresh and stays looking sharp for far longer than a recoat.
What's Included
- Strip of worn, porous or cracked concrete tiles
- Inspection and repair of battens, valleys and rafter timbers
- New anti-condensation sarking across the whole roof
- New battens gauged to the replacement concrete tile profile
- Re-bedded ridge and hip caps with flexible pointing
- New valley irons and re-flashed penetrations
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I recoat my concrete tiles instead of replacing them?
If the tiles are sound and just faded, a clean and recoat can work and costs less. But if they are cracked, delaminating or the roof leaks with no sarking underneath, recoating only hides the problem. We assess honestly and only recommend replacement when a recoat would be wasted money.
Why has my concrete tile roof gone chalky and grown moss?
The factory coating that seals the tile has worn away, leaving the raw concrete exposed and porous. Porous tiles hold moisture, which feeds moss and lichen and gives that chalky, blotchy look. It is a clear sign the tiles are near the end of their protective life.
Are concrete tiles heavier than terracotta or metal?
Yes -- concrete is the heaviest common roofing, and porous old tiles are heavier still because they hold water. This matters for an ageing frame. If weight is a concern, we can discuss switching to lighter terracotta or Colorbond, and check the frame either way before replacing.
How long will a new concrete tile roof last?
A properly laid concrete tile roof can last several decades. The tiles themselves are durable; the coating will eventually need refreshing and the ridge pointing needs occasional maintenance. With sarking underneath and flexible pointing on the ridges, a new concrete tile roof is low-fuss for many years.
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