Replace roof tile?

sevenhills

Can I replace a single roof tile? Buy a new one and slide it out and replace.
It's on a garage, so not urgent.

stuart45

Single tiles can be easily replaced. Easier if they aren't nailed, you just slide up the 2 above and lift the broken one out.

grumbler

Yes, you can. Most likely it's not nailed. You have to lift the tile on the left side and the one on the top, then lift the top part of the broken tile and take it out.

(Not sure that this one is identical)

FreeBear

I'm seeing a few more than just one that could do with replacing - Might be worth haggling for a bit of discount from a builders merchant.

Even although a garage roof isn't particularly high, do be careful up there. Depending on what you hit on the way down should you take a fall, it is going to hurt.

daivid

You may also need to spread your weight so you don’t break any others. I have no idea about the OPs tiles but for my house they went out of production some time ago so sourcing replacements can be tricky, I've been lucky that previous owner kept the leftovers so I have a handful for repairs.

Mistral001

Usually it is only every second or third tile that is nailed to the battens, so it is a case of finding a tile which is not nailed and lifting it first.

victor2

Don't think any of ours are nailed down. When we had several damaged by a hailstorm, the builder friend who sorted it out got about 20 tiles and grouped the new ones together as the colour was somewhat less aged than the existing ones. He had scaffolding, was confident on the roof and was moving old tiles around with ease. Discovered many cracked ones at the same time and all 20 new ones were used up.

As already said, you have other damaged ones in the photo, so look at buying quite a few if you find a match.

Mistral001

victor2 said:

Don't think any of ours are nailed down. When we had several damaged by a hailstorm, the builder friend who sorted it out got about 20 tiles and grouped the new ones together as the colour was somewhat less aged than the existing ones. He had scaffolding, was confident on the roof and was moving old tiles around with ease. Discovered many cracked ones at the same time and all 20 new ones were used up.

As already said, you have other damaged ones in the photo, so look at buying quite a few if you find a match.

I think it depends on which part of the country you live in.  The further north and west you are the more nailing you need. 

stuart45

It also depends on when it was built. Years ago single lap tiles often weren't nailed. Over the years regs changed to require eaves, verges, every 3rd course etc until now when every tile needs a nail or clip.

sevenhills

daivid said:

You may also need to spread your weight so you don’t break any others. I have no idea about the OPs tiles but for my house they went out of production some time ago so sourcing replacements can be tricky, I've been lucky that previous owner kept the leftovers so I have a handful for repairs.

I have noticed the other damaged ones, but hoping this is the only one causing a leak. I have filled the cracked tile with silicone sealer, until a professional can do the job.

I am not intending to climb on the roof. The owner has suggested that the roof be replaced with new boarding and asphalt.

He is very elderly, so not sure when the roof will be sorted. I am guessing £2,000+ we are in West Yorkshire.