If your clay tile roof is leaking, you may have difficulty finding the leak if you just look for cracked tiles. The problem might be with the cap tiles or ridge tiles that run along the sides and top of the roof and are often sealed with cement.

When you hire a roofer to check your roof for damage, they'll look at the sides as well as the top of the roof so they don't miss any cracks or holes. They'll also look along the edges for loose cap tiles and crumbling mortar. Here are some dangers of loose cap tiles and crumbling mortar and the roof repairs that make them secure again.

Loose Cap Tiles Lead To Roof Leaks

When a cap tile is loose and shifted, rain can seep in around it. Since cap tiles sit on top of the roof, they don't have any protection from rain. This increases the risk of a leak when the tile shifts or falls off.

Cap tiles can be hazardous too. If a tile gets loose and it's blown off by the wind, the cap tile becomes a heavy projectile that can damage other parts of your roof or even your neighbor's roof. A roof repair contractor can fix this problem by nailing down the loose tiles.

Cap Tiles Are Secured With Cement Mortar

Cap and ridge tiles are often held in place with nails, but the area under the tiles is sealed with cement mortar to keep the rain out. The mortar can deteriorate with age or from being buffeted by wind. When this happens, the mortar crumbles and cracks. A roof leak can develop even if the tiles are still secured by the nails.

Crumbling Mortar Is Removed To Make Repairs

Repairs for tile roof mortar problems begin with removing all the crumbling and damaged mortar. Once the pieces are out of the way, the area is cleaned to get rid of cement dust and debris. The roof repair contractor may have to chip away at the mortar and dig it out to make sure all the damaged pieces are removed.

Apply New Mortar

The roofer can mix new mortar on the spot and use it to fill in the gap left by removing the old cement. They'll try to pick a dry day to do this work so the mortar can dry quickly without cracking. If necessary, color can be added to the mortar so the repairs blend in with the roof.

Seal Small Cracks

If the mortar has tiny cracks but is otherwise in good condition, the roof repair contractor may just seal the crack with roofing cement rather than replace the mortar. The roofing cement might need to be painted once it's dry so it matches the rest of the mortar.