Tile Roofs|

The foundation of tile roof care is a professional inspection about once a year, plus a check after any major storm or hurricane. Even a newer roof with no overhanging trees benefits from this: Florida's sun, wind-driven rain, and humidity work on the underlayment, mortar, and flashings year-round, and small issues like a slipped or cracked tile are inexpensive to fix when caught early.

Between inspections, keep gutters and roof valleys clear of debris so water always has a clear path off the roof, and avoid walking on the tiles — foot traffic is one of the most common causes of cracked barrel tile.

A proper preventive visit covers checking for cracked, chipped, or slipped tiles and re-securing or replacing them; inspecting ridge and hip mortar or foam adhesive for deterioration; examining flashings, penetrations, and sealant around vents, skylights, and chimneys; clearing debris from valleys and gutters; and looking for early signs of underlayment wear at the eaves and edges. On barrel tile specifically, the curved profile can hide displaced tiles from ground level, which is why an up-close inspection matters.

The safe method for cleaning tile is soft washing — a low-pressure application of a cleaning solution that kills algae, mold, and mildew, then rinses gently. High-pressure washing should be avoided on tile: it can crack tiles, strip surface finishes, and drive water under the roof system.

After cleaning, some homeowners choose preventive treatments such as algaecide applications that slow regrowth of the black algae streaks common in Florida, or a clear sealer that helps tiles shed water and resist staining. Whether a sealer makes sense depends on the tile type and age, so it's worth discussing during an inspection.

For a roof only a few years old with no overhanging trees, a sensible schedule is: a professional inspection once a year; an extra check after any hurricane or severe storm; gutter and valley clearing as needed (typically once or twice a year); and a soft wash roughly every two to three years, or whenever algae and mildew start to show. This light-touch routine protects the roof and keeps documentation current, which is also helpful for insurance.