How tile roofs shed water
Tile roofs are water-shedding systems: the tiles throw off most water, and the underlayment beneath is the real waterproof layer. Water that gets under the tiles runs down the underlayment to the eave. At the eave, an eave closure or bird stop fills the gap under the first course of tile, keeps birds and debris out, and should still allow water on the underlayment to drain. Manufacturer installation manuals note that eave closures should allow unobstructed drainage, and some closures have weep holes for that purpose.
The gutter must catch both the water coming off the tile surface and any water draining from the underlayment at the eave.
Hangers and attachment
- Fascia-mounted hidden hangers work where there is a solid fascia and the tile overhang leaves room to reach inside the gutter.
- Roof straps fastened under the tile to the deck are used when there is no usable fascia, but installing them means lifting tiles, which should be done by crews experienced with tile.
- Brackets for half-round gutters suit Spanish and Mediterranean homes and often mount to the fascia or rafter tails.
Whatever the method, hangers should not require walking on or cracking tiles. See gutter hangers explained.
Overhang and gutter position
Tiles usually overhang the fascia by a couple of inches. The gutter must sit so water from the tile edge falls into it, not behind it or over the front. On steep tile roofs, water leaves the tile edge fast and can overshoot a small gutter in heavy rain; larger gutters help. See 5-inch vs. 6-inch gutters.
Drip edge and closures
A metal drip edge at the eave protects the fascia and directs underlayment water into the gutter. With tile, the drip edge and eave closure must work together; the closure should not dam water behind it. In wildfire zones, metal bird stops close the gap under the first tile course against embers and debris. See drip edge and gutter apron and gutters and wildfire.
Guards on tile roofs
Many guards are designed to tuck under the first course of shingles, which does not work on tile. On tile roofs, choose guards that attach to the gutter itself, such as mesh that screws to the front lip and rests against the fascia or drip edge, without lifting tiles. In fire zones, guards must be noncombustible. See are gutter guards worth it?
Tile is fragile
Clay and concrete tiles crack when walked on incorrectly or when ladders lean on them. Gutter work on tile roofs should be done from ladders against the wall or scaffolding, not from the roof, unless the crew knows how to walk tile. Ask the installer how they will avoid damaging tiles, and who pays if tiles break. Keep a few spare tiles from the original roof for repairs.
Debris under and on tile
Leaves and needles collect in the valleys between tile profiles and under the first course, then wash into gutters in storms. Bird stops reduce what gets under the tile. Before the rainy season, clear debris from valleys and gutters.
Coastal and hurricane considerations
Tile roofs are common in Florida and coastal California, where salt air corrodes fasteners and hurricanes test attachment. Use stainless or compatible coated fasteners and heavier-gauge gutters, and follow local wind-zone requirements. See gutters near the coast and gutters in hurricane season.
Style
Half-round copper or painted aluminum suits Spanish and Mediterranean architecture; K-style in a color matching the fascia is common on newer homes. See half-round vs. K-style and how to choose gutter color.
Replacing gutters on a tile roof
Removing old gutters from a tile roof must be done carefully: rusted spikes and straps may be trapped under the first course, and prying them out can crack tiles. Experienced crews cut and remove old fasteners from below where possible. If the fascia is damaged, it may have to be replaced from below without disturbing the tiles, which takes more time. Budget for a few replacement tiles and ask the installer how they will match them.
Concrete vs. clay tile
Concrete tile is heavier and often flatter; clay tile is lighter and comes in curved barrel and S-shaped profiles. Barrel tiles create deeper channels that carry more water and debris to specific points along the eave. The gutter needs to catch concentrated flow from each channel. Flat concrete tiles spread water more evenly. Either way, the gutter should be installed after the tile layout at the eave is known.
Tile roofs and heavy rain
Tile roofs shed water fast, especially steep ones, and valleys between roof planes concentrate it. In intense storms, water can shoot past a small gutter at inside corners. Diverters at valleys, larger gutters and extra downspouts at corners help. See downspout size and placement.
Underlayment and re-roofing
Tile often outlasts its underlayment. When a tile roof is re-laid with new underlayment, the tiles come off and go back on, and that is the best time to install new drip edge, eave closures and gutters. Coordinate the roofer and gutter installer so everything at the eave is done in the right order. See new roof, new gutters?
Walking tile safely
When roof access is unavoidable, experienced tile crews step only on the lower third of tiles where they overlap the course below, or use foam pads and walk boards to spread the load. Homeowners should not walk tile roofs; a single misstep can crack several tiles and lead to leaks that only show up in the next storm.
Pests and tile roofs
Birds, rats and bees often nest under the first course of tile where eave closures are missing or damaged. Nests block drainage into the gutter and can bring pests into the attic. Metal bird stops and screened vents close these gaps. See gutters and pests.
Checklist for tile-roof gutters
- Hangers or straps suited to tile, installed without cracking tiles
- Gutter positioned to catch water from the tile edge
- Drip edge and eave closures that let underlayment water drain into the gutter
- Guards that attach to the gutter, not under the tile
- Metal materials and closures in fire zones
- Corrosion-resistant fasteners near the coast
Where tile roofs are common
Los Angeles, San Diego, South Florida, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Arizona and San Antonio.