Tile roofing is an attractive, durable roofing option that can last many years with the right care and attention. However, many homeowners overlook some of the earliest signs of damage and trouble with their home's tile roof. Knowing when your roof needs repair or maintenance is one of the most important ways to ensure that you get the longest possible life from your investment. Here's a look at a few things your roofing contractor would want you to know about your home's tile roofing.

Discolored Roofing Tiles

Your roofing tiles should all be uniform and consistent in color. When the ceramic tiles start to show signs of discoloration, whether as streaks or spots, that's an indication that the tiles are suffering water penetration and damage. 

Left unaddressed, this can lead to gradual water penetration through your roofing material and into your home. When you start to see signs of discoloration on your roofing tiles, it's important that you work with a roofing contractor to address the problem early. This prevents it from worsening and causing more extensive, and expensive, damage.

Visible Cracks or Missing Tiles

Although roofing tiles are pretty durable, they aren't impervious to damage. In fact, they are particularly vulnerable to impact damage. If your roofing tiles have been struck or damaged by debris or even hail, they may suffer cracks, chips, or complete breakage.

You should observe your roof on a regular basis for any signs of this type of damage. If you see a tile that's missing, chipped, or cracked, you need to reach out to a roofing contractor right away. The sooner the damaged tile is removed and replaced, the better protected your roof will be. Remember that damage like this can allow water to seep through your tiles and into the roofing material beneath, causing interior damage.

Visible Greenery Growing On or Between Tiles

When your roofing tiles suffer prolonged exposure to moisture and bacteria, they can eventually start developing moss and algae growth on the tile surfaces. This green coating often just appears as discoloration from the ground but will continue to spread as the moss or algae grows. These plants can deteriorate your roofing tiles over time if you don't address the problem.

Similarly, if you have water penetrating between your roofing tiles and settling on the underlayment, you may find that you start seeing weed growth pop up between your tiles. This can put unnecessary pressure on the underlayment and the roofing tiles, potentially leading to roofing failure.

Discoloration of Your Gutters

The gradual appearance of black streaks and buildup along your gutters should also never be ignored. Usually, this discoloration develops as a result of tar, tile residue, and other roofing material particles building up on the gutters.

Discoloration like this is an indication that your roof is deteriorating and could ultimately develop a leak or fail completely. While it's tempting to just replace discolored and damaged gutter systems, you need to have a roofing contractor address the underlying problem to prevent it from continually recurring.

Water Marks or Stains In Your Attic or Ceiling

When you start to see stains and watermarks develop, either in your attic, on your ceiling, or on your walls, that is a serious cause for concern. Watermarks and discoloration inside your home indicate that your roof is failing. Left unaddressed, this can lead to mold, moisture damage, and even structural deterioration in your home.

As soon as you start to see any kind of water damage in your home, you should reach out to a roofing contractor as soon as possible. The contractor can complete a thorough inspection and identify the source of the leak quickly and easily. That way, you can repair the problem and protect your home from damage.