Silicone and other roof sealants have a place in tiled roof repairs, but a smaller one than many people think. Royce Roofing uses sealant where it is genuinely the right fix, such as sealing around penetrations and flashings or a small, targeted repair, and replaces tiles, rebeds ridges or replaces valleys where those are the real cause.
At a glance
- Sealant suits small, targeted repairs and sealing around flashings and penetrations
- It is not a substitute for replacing broken tiles or failed ridge bedding
- Sealant can be a short-term measure until a permanent repair is done
- We tell you which your roof needs after a free inspection
- Matched replacement tiles from our own yards
When silicone is the right fix
Around penetrations
Sealing around vents, pipes and some flashings where they meet the roof.
Small, targeted repairs
A small gap or hole where the surrounding roof is sound.
Temporary protection
Stopping water in the short term until a permanent repair can be done.
Flashing details
Sealing laps and edges of flashings as part of a proper flashing repair.
When it is not
- Cracked or broken tiles: replace the tile with a matched one
- Crumbling ridge bedding: rebed and repoint
- Rusted-through valleys: replace the valley iron
- Several failing areas across the roof: consider a restoration
Sealant over these problems weathers, cracks and can trap moisture, so the leak comes back. On terracotta roofs in particular we avoid sealant shortcuts. See terracotta roof repairs.
Leak or crack on your roof?
We will tell you whether sealant or a permanent repair is the right fix.
How we decide
- Find the causeWe trace where water is actually getting in, in the roof space and on the roof.
- Pick the right repairSealant where it is the right tool; tile replacement, rebedding or valley replacement where it is not.
- Fixed quoteA written price before any work starts.
- Repair and reportWe fix it and tell you if anything else is close to needing attention.
Permanent repairs we carry out
Tile replacement
Matched tiles from our yards. Tile matching.
Rebed and repoint
Rebedding and repointing with flexible pointing.
Valley replacement
Valley repairs with new Zincalume.
Leak repairs
Read our guide to sealants for cracked or broken roof tiles.
Safety on every job
WorkSafe Victoria’s compliance code for housing construction puts edge protection such as guard railing ahead of harnesses and ladders when controlling the risk of falls from a roof. Our crews set up our own temporary safety rail, ladder guards and, where there are old skylights, safety nets before anyone works on the roof. Every crew member holds a working at heights qualification.
Sealing a roof yourself means working at height on slippery tiles. Please leave it to an insured crew.
Sources: WorkSafe Victoria: Prevention of falls in housing construction.
Common questions
Can silicone fix a leaking roof?
Sometimes, for small leaks around penetrations or flashings. For cracked tiles, failed ridge bedding or rusted valleys, silicone is at best a short-term measure. The permanent fix is to replace the tile, rebed the ridge or replace the valley.
Can I seal a cracked roof tile instead of replacing it?
As a temporary measure, yes, but a sealed tile weathers and the crack usually returns. Replacing it with a matched tile is the permanent repair, and our yards hold tiles in many older profiles.
How long does a silicone roof repair last?
It depends on the product, the surface and the exposure. Sealant suits small, targeted repairs; for structural problems such as failed bedding, a rebed and repoint done properly should last 15 to 20 years.
Do you use sealant on terracotta roofs?
Only where it is the right tool, such as around penetrations. For cracked terracotta tiles and failed ridges we replace tiles and rebed and repoint rather than sealing over the problem.
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