Home Garden

Fixing a Roof Tile Crack

Concrete roof tiles are economical, durable and lasting. Fabricated to resemble slate, stone and clay, these roof tiles are available in a variety of colors and textures. They protect your home from ice, rain and snow. Cracks in the installed tiles require immediate repair for your home’s structural integrity and preventing water from leaking inside. Minor crack are easily repaired with the right tools. For large cracks, consider replacing the damaged tile with a new one.

Things You'll Need

  • Ladder
  • Hard hat
  • Skid-proof shoes
  • Wire brush
  • Clean cloth
  • Caulking gun
  • Roofing cement
  • Putty knife
  • Fine-grit sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Access the cracked roof tile on a ladder. Wearing a hard hat and skid-proof shoes while walking over the tiled roof locating the damaged tile reduces the chances of injury.

    • 2

      Brushing the tile surface with a wire brush removes scale, debris and rust, so the crack is visible. Ensure the tile is completely clean before making any repairs. Wipe the tile with a clean cloth.

    • 3

      Load a caulking gun with roofing cement. Position the nozzle directly above the crack on one end of the tile. Insert the caulk into the crack until you reach the other end of the tile, sealing the crack completely.

    • 4

      Insert a putty knife’s tip into the container of roofing cement and scoop a small amount. Rub the cement over the crack’s surface, pressing it gently with your gloved hand pushing it in the gap, removing trapped air. Let the cement cure.

    • 5

      Sanding the cured cement’s edges around the crack with fine-grit sandpaper smoothes and blends it with the surrounding tile surface. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth.