Slipped Roof Tiles & Broken Tile Replacement
Slipped roof tiles are usually a fixing problem, not a tile problem: the nail holding the tile or slate has rusted through, or the batten it hangs on has rotted, and gravity does the rest. The fix is to put the tile or slate back and secure it properly, replacing it with a matched one if it has cracked, and to check whether the same failure is happening elsewhere on the roof. We refix and replace slipped, broken and missing tiles across the North East.
- Slipped tiles and slates put back and secured
- Cracked and broken tiles swapped for matched ones
- Missing tiles after wind replaced
- Rotten battens under the tile renewed
- Surrounding area checked while we are up there
- Priced by access, not by tile
Why roof tiles slip
On slate roofs the cause is almost always nail fatigue. Older roofs were fixed with iron nails that corrode over decades. Once a nail rusts through, the slate slides down until it rests on the slate below or drops into the gutter. When one slate has gone on an old roof, more usually follow.
On tiled roofs the tile hangs on the batten by its nibs. If the batten rots, or the nibs break, the tile drops. Strong wind can also lift tiles that were never nailed in the first place, which was common practice on some older roofs.
Is a slipped tile urgent?
If a tile or slate is missing and water is coming in, or a loose piece could fall onto a path or driveway, treat it as urgent and call us on 07840 996627, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. We aim to attend the same or next working day for active leaks, weather permitting, and make the roof safe first. A single slipped slate with no leak can usually be booked in as a normal repair, but do not leave it for months: the gap lets rain reach the underlay and battens. Wider storm damage is covered on our urgent roof repairs page.
Refix, replace or something bigger?
One or two slipped tiles on a roof that is otherwise sound is a small repair. The tile goes back, a new fixing goes in, and that is the job done.
Several slipped slates scattered across a slope tell a different story. If the nails have failed in one place they are failing everywhere, and refixing slates one at a time each winter adds up. We photograph what we see and tell you honestly whether repairs still make sense or whether the roof is reaching the point where a partial or full re-roof is better value. Our roof repair cost guide explains how we price both.
Matching tiles and slates
A repair should not stand out. For concrete and clay tiles we match the profile and colour as closely as possible; for slate we match size and thickness so the new piece sits flat in the course. Where an exact match is no longer made, we can sometimes take a tile from a less visible part of the roof and put the new one there instead.
Roof tile repair FAQs
How do you replace roof tiles?+
The tiles above the broken one are eased up, the old tile and any broken nail are removed, and a matched tile is slid into place and fixed. Where the batten underneath has rotted, it is replaced first. Slates are usually secured with a copper or stainless clip because the original nail hole cannot be reached.
How do you fix slipped slate roof tiles?+
A slipped slate has normally lost its nail to corrosion. The slate is slid back up into position and held with a slate hook or clip fixed to the batten beneath. If the slate is cracked, it is replaced with a matched slate.
How do you fix loose slate roof tiles?+
Loose slates are re-secured individually with clips. If many slates across a slope are loose at once, it usually means the nails have failed across the whole roof, and we will tell you if that points towards a wider repair.
Do I need to replace cracked roof tiles?+
Yes, sooner rather than later. A cracked tile lets water reach the underlay and battens, and frost will widen the crack until pieces fall. Replacing one tile is a small job; repairing rotten battens later is not.
Can I replace roof tiles myself?+
We would not advise it. Walking on a roof breaks more tiles than it fixes, and working at height without proper access is dangerous. Most single tile refixes are a ladder or tower job for us.
Do I need permission to replace roof tiles?+
Like-for-like tile repairs do not normally need planning permission. Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas can have extra controls, so check with your council if that applies to your home.
Need Roofing Work You Can Rely On?
Contact Stoker Property Solutions for new roofs, flat roofing, repairs and maintenance across Newcastle, Sunderland and the wider North East.