08/25/2026
Clay tiles in Saskatchewan? Beautiful—until someone walks all over them.
During a recent rural inspection, our client was told that clay tiles are "purely aesthetic" and only the underlayment sheds water.
Coming from the UK, where we’ve worked on clay and slate systems for decades, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Clay tiles are the primary weather barrier, engineered to last 80–100 years. They are definitely not just decorative.
What happened here:
Foot-Traffic Snaps: Clay tiles don’t sit flat on the roof deck—they hook onto raised battens (typically treated 1x2s). Stepping directly on them creates pressure points that crush the overlapping joints (as seen in the photos).
Hidden Leaks: This kind of damage often goes unseen from the ground for years until the decking beneath finally rots out.
Specialized Access Required: You should never walk a clay roof without a dedicated roof ladder or crawling boards to distribute weight.
The Bottom Line: Specialty roofs require specialized knowledge. If your home has a clay or slate roof, always ensure anyone going up there has the experience and equipment to do it safely without causing thousands in damage.
