Thread: Clay Roof Tile Inspection

Occasionally, I will inspect a house that has clay tile roof, which after learning the hard way, I do not walk this type roof covering. I have no problem walking on a concrete tile roof, but clay are thinner and too easily broken.
Is there a safe and non-damaging way to walk these roofs?

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Well, you get a cat, a mouse then tape the camera to the cat...

Seriously, I use a ladder and binoculars. most tile roofs here have a steep enough slope to get a good look with this method.

i don't walk cement tiles either--ladder at eave and good pair of binoculars--will tell you all and a good attic inspection

cvf

Originally Posted by Jack Wingo

Occasionally, I will inspect a house that has clay tile roof, which after learning the hard way, I do not walk this type roof covering. I have no problem walking on a concrete tile roof, but clay are thinner and too easily broken.
Is there a safe and non-damaging way to walk these roofs?

Disperse that weight, get rubberized bear paw snowshoes........maybe.... raillery

most clay tile roofs require repairs tell your client that the inspectgion report will more than likely indicate that a clay tile pro come out and give estimates on repairs.
most of the guys i know charge for this and rightly so, tell your client there is a fee.
when they complain you should remind them that this is a bi annual requirement anyway with this type of roof, so they should get used to it and start off with a contractor they can trust, like the one you recommend.
in the long run they should appreciate that definite answers on condition and repairs to the roof can be done the same day as the rest of the inspection and allow them to negotiate the deal properly.
I have walked on many clay tile roofs and while it is difficult it is possible with care.
but you should not walk on one unless you are prepared to fix what you break, the day you break it.
these days i just leave it to the guy who's going to make the repairs.
and they ALL need repairs.

I don't have a lot of them here, but I do walk them. I haven't had much trouble when stepping at the upper part of the tile. If a few break while I'm walking, I figure they can be repaired when the other 20 or 30 broken ones that already existed are repaired. Seriously though, it hasn't been too big of a deal so far. I do hate walking on the fake metal tile roofs. Those just crumple like beer cans whenever you try to turn around or change directions.

I used to walk them, and occasionally could get off a roof without breaking any tiles. Now, I try to see the roof from the ground or ladders. The risk of adding damage is too great.

Hello Jack,

I weigh 240 and can usually move around on a clay tile roof with only an occasional broken tile, which I have repaired by a local roofer when it does occur. As a specialist I'm expected to inspect the entire roof, and not only from the top of a ladder.

I first advise the property owner that one or more tiles could be broken and obtain informed permission (by the poor man's certified mail: email) to proceed. I then inspect first from the top of a ladder with a telephoto lens so I can document any tiles that were already broken. When I get on the roof I do a 'crab walk', distributing my weight mostly on the feet, but partially on my hands as well. I wear gloves and soft, flexible shoes and place my feet sideways between the barrels of adjacent tiles so that the force is exerted somewhat outward, against the side of the two straddled barrels, and with the feet positioned toward the bottom of each tile course since that is where the most support is. Stepping on top of the barrels, especially at the mid-point of the tile significantly increases the chance of breakage. I look pretty silly doing this, but it's worked for 45 years. Hope this is helpful.

Don Putnam
www.roofconsulting.com

Jack,

I should also mention that in Texas very few home inspectors walk on tile roofs. Their standard of care does not require it. Instead, they report the inspection procedure that WAS used - usually inspection from the top of a ladder.

Fortunately for me, many of them recommend a supplemental inspection by a specialist. If the client follows that advice the home inspector's future liability for the roof may be reduced. And if the client doesn't call for a specialist's inspection, then the record still reflects that the inspector made the recommendation.

Don Putnam
Home - Putnam Construction Consulting

Thanks for all the informative comments.

FYI-Todays inspection had a shake single roof and I did not walk it!