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How to remove roof tiles

A person on a tiled roof replacing a roof tile

Overview

Working with roof tiles is a lot easier when you know a couple of basic tricks. We will show you how to take a tile off and replace it properly. You will also see how to move neighbouring tiles out of the way, and what to do when the tiles are nailed down.

Steps

1Removing a tile from the roof

Begin by lifting up the next-door, overlapping tile. This will lift the overlapping tiles on the row above, so the tile you want to remove should come out easily. If your tiles aren't lifting, they may have nails holding them in place. If so, lift up the bottoms of the overhanging tiles in the row above, pry the nail out of your tile and then lift it out.
A person on a tiled roof removing a roof tile

2Replacing a tile in the roof

Lift up the bottom of the tiles from the row above and slide your tile back into place. If your tiles have been nailed, then drive a nail through the hole in the tile into the timber roof batten. Once all your tiles are in, give them any minor adjustments required to settle them in place.
A person on a tiled roof replacing a roof tile

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.