Concrete roof tile longevity

[TeaAndBiscuits]

Hi all,

I'm currently looking at getting my roof redone and have a had a couple of guys round to quote. One of these guys explained that as my house is about 60 years old and the roof is original, the tiles (concrete marley double roman) are basically end of life and probably letting water through so he'll reuse them if that's what I want, but really the whole lot should be replaced with new. How true is this?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Absolutely true, you'd be throwing money away re-using them as it will probably all need replacing in a few years.

Check for yourself - if they're the original colour and smooth then fine. If they're sand coloured and you can see pebbles in them then they need replacing.

I had 70 year old tiles replaced. They were as fragile as a biscuit, and the top half that had been protected under the tile above was about twice as thick where it hadn't been weathered.

 

[^woody^]

Tiles do have an estimated life, but it's not a use by date and don't suddenly go off like a pint of milk.

You could get decades more out of them past the estimated life, it all depends. The only thing that matters is their condition now.

All interlocking concrete tiles can let water past, even the brand new ones. It's the membrane beneath that keeps the water out.