Whether a structure has an asphalt shingle metal clay or concrete tile roof walking on the roof for seasonal inspections and cleanings is inevitable.
How to walk on curved tile roof.
First we recommend that you do not walk on a tile roof unless you are a trained roofing professional with experience in tile roofing.
Before you can start walking you need to understand a little more about roofs in general.
Most concrete tiles are lifted a little off of your roof and sit on wood batten strips creating a gap under the tiles for ventilation.
I find defects with 85 of the concrete tile roofs i inspect.
However if you must walk on a tile roof we recommend stepping near the edges on overlap areas that are supported directly underneath.
Instead transfer your weight gradually as you walk and curve your step with the arc of the tile as it falls.
When you walk on your roof make sure you are walking on the reinforced part the lower third of the visible tile.
Walking on a roof can be an unsettling affair doubly so for tile roofs.
Essentially with each step place the heel of your foot in the gap between tiles roll the arch over the tile and end up with your toe in the next gap.
Image showing how concrete tiles are installed on a roof.
If you don t apply the right technique you can easily cause breaking and even the potential for you to seriously be hurt.
Clay and concrete tiles are a great roofing material since they re more durable than shingles but they can break or crack if you apply too much pressure while you re walking on them.
Often times roof tile manufacturers do not.
When choosing a home inspector ensure they will walk on the concrete tile roof.
You want to walk on that overlapping.
A normal walk is not generally the best approach upon a tile roof.
How to walk on a tile roof.
Overlapping roof tiles are prone to break under load.