While it s usually best to stay off your roof if possible you can still walk on the tiles if you need to make repairs.
How to walk on curved tile roof.
Often times roof tile manufacturers do not.
However if you must walk on a tile roof we recommend stepping near the edges on overlap areas that are supported directly underneath.
Before you can start walking you need to understand a little more about roofs in general.
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.
First we recommend that you do not walk on a tile roof unless you are a trained roofing professional with experience in tile roofing.
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.
I find defects with 85 of the concrete tile roofs i inspect.
How to walk on a tile roof.
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.
Image showing how concrete tiles are installed on a roof.
You want to walk on that overlapping.
Overlapping roof tiles are prone to break under load.
When you walk on your roof make sure you are walking on the reinforced part the lower third of the visible tile.
When choosing a home inspector ensure they will walk on the concrete tile roof.
Whether a structure has an asphalt shingle metal clay or concrete tile roof walking on the roof for seasonal inspections and cleanings is inevitable.
However when it comes to tile roofs in particular there is a proper way to walk on the tiles in order to avoid damage.
I show how to walk on clay roof tiles.
Instead transfer your weight gradually as you walk and curve your step with the arc of the tile as it falls.