Repairing broken roof tile

MrBeans

What's best for mending a broken roof tile?

This guy in Australia is using Selley's Roof & Gutter Silicone (100% silicone). But it's not available in UK.

I've trawled B&Q, Screwfix, etc websites but can't find anything that is obviously just right for the job.

Can any roofers out there point me to the right product?

Browntoa

I'd just buy a new tile but I'm assuming gripfix would bond the two bits

Grenage

Buy a new tile; anything else is a bodge.

MrBeans

Browntoa wrote: »

...but I'm assuming gripfix would bond the two bits

What is gripfix? Would the bond be weatherproof? I've found Gripfill but a description of it on another site says suitable for exterior "provided bond is covered". Not much use on a roof!

Really I'm looking for someone who can recommend a product which they know from experience would be right for the job.

societys_child

A tile would normally be cheaper than a tube of 'special' glue.

What type of tile is it?

Furts

MrBeans wrote: »

What is gripfix? Would the bond be weatherproof? I've found Gripfill but a description of it on another site says suitable for exterior "provided bond is covered". Not much use on a roof!

Really I'm looking for someone who can recommend a product which they know from experience would be right for the job.

I have repaired many roof tiles with Gripfill. You need the original stuff in the green tube, not the later water based type.

Technically you are correct. The bond should be covered because UV does discolour Gripfill, and probably over time makes it suspect. However the bond will not be visible - you only use the Gripfill on the edges to form a glue, or put it up under tiles to form a bond. Basically, it does not get exposed.

Equally society's child is correct about buying a new tile. The problem here is matching the tile type, colour and weathering.

MrBeans

Furts wrote: »

I have repaired many roof tiles with Gripfill. You need the original stuff in the green tube, not the later water based type.

Technically you are correct. The bond should be covered because UV does discolour Gripfill, and probably over time makes it suspect. However the bond will not be visible - you only use the Gripfill on the edges to form a glue, or put it up under tiles to form a bond. Basically, it does not get exposed.

Excellent, thank you, that is exactly the answer I was hoping for. Much appreciated. I'm off to Screwfix to buy some green-tube Gripfill.

DaftyDuck

If it's an old tile, and difficult to match, I've used resin-based waterproof wood glue. It's ideal for terracotta repairs (some antique restorers use it) and copes with the porous nature of the tile much as it would wood. However, I have also stapled ridge tiles before reusing them, to give them added strength.

I wouldn't have bothered, and would have just bought replacements, except for the fact that these were four hundred years old, and were hand made from clay from the pit in the garden...

Whatever you end up using, the key to a good finish is to compress the tile tightly while the glue fixes. A workbench will do (chocks on top) or, if you have many to repair, a wooden box frame and wedges helps. Once glued, sandpaper the upper face and edges to remove all trace of glue (it will weather differently) and ensure as smooth run-off as possible.

I would say again, it is REALLY NOT WORTH IT unless matching the tile is paramount, or replacement is impossible. A repaired tile is dozens of times more likely to rebreak, and repeating the neck-breaking process is simply not sensible in any normal circumstances.

parking_question_chap

Actually got a similar issue. I live in a bungalow and was cleaning out the gutters the otherday and notice one tile is cracked. Its on the very bottom row so easy to work on in situ.

Would Gripfill or resin-based waterproof wood glue be ok to cover the crack until I source a replacement?

southcoastrgi

CT1 or sticks like s**t much better than gripfill

Furts

southcoastrgi wrote: »

CT1 or sticks like s**t much better than gripfill

Yes I agree. These are more modern products, and Gripfill is an original having been around for I guess 30 years. It is time proven, it does tick boxes and it is so cheap it is almost a throw away product.