Concrete tile roofs are a familiar sight on older Christchurch houses, particularly the heavier homes built before the 1970s with brick or block veneer walls. The tiles themselves usually outlast the parts around them. What gives out first is the mortar bedding under the ridges and hips, the fixings, the valley irons and the underlay. Put those right and a sound tile roof can keep doing its job for a good while yet.
We repair concrete and clay tile roofs from Merivale and Fendalton to Spreydon, Papanui and out to Rangiora. Tiles have to be walked on at the right points, matched or sourced for older profiles, and leaks traced under the laps before they show inside. Because tile roofs carry a real seismic question in this city, we also give you a straight view on whether repair or a tile to metal re-roof is the better spend.
Pricing: every roof gets a free on-site measure and an itemised written quote, with a fixed price agreed before any work starts.
What goes wrong on Christchurch tile roofs
Tile roof faults turn up in the same handful of places. Ridge and hip caps sit in mortar bedding that cracks with age and movement, letting the caps rock and water in. Tiles crack under careless feet or slip when their fixings fail. Valleys gather leaves from mature gardens and rust from the inside out. Christchurch adds two local pressures: a tiled roof that came through the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes may have had its bedding and fixings shaken or patched since, and repeated winter frosts work on any crack that holds water.
- Cracked or broken tiles, often from someone walking in the wrong place
- Slipped or missing tiles leaving gaps for wind-driven rain
- Cracked or missing bedding and pointing on ridges and hips
- Ridge caps that move when touched, sometimes after earlier quake repairs
- Rusted, split or blocked valley irons
- Moss and lichen on shaded faces, holding water against the tiles
- Brittle or torn underlay showing from the roof space
Ridge rebedding and repointing
Ridge and hip work is the repair most tile roofs need first. Repointing puts a fresh flexible pointing compound over bedding that is still sound. Rebedding goes deeper: the caps come off, the cracked bedding is cleared out, and the caps are laid again on new bedding, fixed and pointed.
The right choice depends on what sits underneath, so we lift a section of ridge to look before recommending either. Pointing over loose bedding only hides the fault for a season. A strong nor'wester can lift caps that are poorly held, and Te Ara notes that wind can reach storm force and cause widespread minor damage, so on exposed roofs we add mechanical fixing to the caps rather than relying on mortar alone.
How It Works
Replacing cracked and slipped tiles
One cracked tile can let in a surprising amount of water when rain is driven sideways. Replacing it means lifting the surrounding tiles, taking out the broken one, fitting a match and checking the underlay and battens below for rot or staining.
Matching is the hard part on older roofs. Plenty of concrete tile profiles are no longer made, so the options are second-hand tiles of the same profile, or moving sound tiles from a hidden part of the roof and filling those spots with the closest current match. New tiles look brighter than weathered ones for a while. We confirm what match is possible before you get a price.
Leaks, valleys, chimneys and moss
Leaks on tiled roofs are rarely just a visible broken tile. Water runs under laps and along battens before it reaches a ceiling, so we trace it from the roof space where we can get in. Rusted valley irons are a common source, and so are the flashings where tiles meet walls and chimney stubs. Our roof flashing repairs page covers those details.
Moss and lichen hold moisture on shaded tiles, and in a frosty Christchurch winter that trapped water freezes and thaws over and over. Cleaning helps, but treat older concrete tiles gently: high pressure water blasting can strip the surface and push water under the laps. If your roof is decramastic rather than concrete or clay, it must not be water blasted until it has been tested for asbestos. See roof cleaning and moss treatment for the safer approach.
Repair the tiles or move to steel
Christchurch is the one city where this question carries extra weight. After the 2011 earthquake, a report from New Zealand science and engineering societies recommended replacing heavy roofs such as concrete tiles with lightweight materials such as steel, because heavy roofs add load to a house in a quake. The Natural Hazards Commission's QuakeSafeHome guidance still advises replacing heavy concrete or slate tile roofing with lighter options.
That does not mean every tile roof must go. When the faults are local, repair is good value. When the ridges need rebedding again, the underlay has broken down across the roof and the valleys are rusted through, repeated repairs start to approach the cost of a re-roof. Building Code clause B2 sets a 15-year minimum life for roof cladding, but how much life is left in your roof is best judged on site. We show you the photos and, where it makes sense, price both options side by side. If the house is a scheduled heritage item or sits in a Residential Heritage Area, check with Christchurch City Council before changing the roof material.
Why Choose Cheeky's Roofers for Tile Roof Repairs
Tiles walked properly
We step only where tiles are supported, so fixing one fault does not create three more.
Bedding checked, not covered
We lift a section of ridge before choosing between repointing and rebedding.
Tile match agreed first
We confirm which replacement tiles are available before quoting, so you know how the repair will look.
Both options on the table
Where repair and a tile to steel re-roof are both reasonable, you get both prices and the reasons for each.
Tile Roof Repairs FAQs
What is the difference between repointing and rebedding?
Repointing seals over bedding that is still sound. Rebedding removes the old bedding under the ridge caps and lays them again on fresh bedding. If the bedding is cracked or loose, repointing alone will not last.
Can you match the tiles on my older Christchurch house?
Often, using second-hand tiles of the same profile or by moving tiles from less visible areas. Some older concrete profiles are hard to find, so we confirm the match before quoting.
Should I replace my tile roof with steel because of earthquakes?
Engineering reports after the 2011 earthquake and the Natural Hazards Commission both point to lighter roofing as a way to reduce load on a house. Whether it is right for your home depends on the roof's condition and your budget. We can price both repair and a tile to metal re-roof.
My tile roof was repaired after the earthquakes. Should it be checked?
A roof inspection is a sensible step if you are buying or have noticed leaks or loose ridges. Many Christchurch homes were repaired after 2011, and a check confirms the current state of the bedding, fixings and flashings.
Should I water blast my tile roof?
Not without care. High pressure can damage older concrete tile surfaces and force water under laps. Decramastic roofs must not be water blasted until tested for asbestos.
Do tile roof repairs need building consent?
Generally not. Repairs and like for like replacement of components are usually exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act. Changing to a different roofing material is a bigger question, and heritage rules may also apply.
Tile Roof Repairs Across Christchurch
We cover every region: Central Christchurch, North Christchurch, East and Coastal Christchurch, South Christchurch and Port Hills, West Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri.
Related Roofing Services
Tile Roof Repairs Guides
See the roof replacement cost guide or every service we offer.
Sources and further reading
- MBIE building.govt.nz: B2 Durability
- MBIE building.govt.nz: Exemption 1, general repair, maintenance and replacement
- WorkSafe: Check for asbestos before high-pressure spraying on roofs
- Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake: QuakeSafeHome
- Metal Roofing Manufacturers: lightweight roofing recommended after the Canterbury earthquakes
- Te Ara: Canterbury region, climate
- Christchurch City Council: Plan Change 13 heritage