What it looks like
The signs below are the ones homeowners most often notice first. Spotting one early makes the problem far easier and cheaper to put right.
Why it happens
Understanding the cause matters — the right fix depends on it. These are the usual culprits behind missing or slipped tiles.
Nail sickness — corroded or failed fixings
Older tiles were often held by iron nails that rust and snap over decades ("nail sickness"). Once the fixing fails, gravity and wind do the rest, so slipped tiles frequently appear in clusters of the same age.
Wind uplift on exposed elevations
Gusts create suction on the leeward side of a roof that can lift tiles clear, especially at edges, ridges and verges where the wind gets underneath them. Exposed and coastal properties see this most.
Frost and freeze–thaw damage
Water absorbed into a porous or hairline-cracked tile expands as it freezes, breaking the tile apart over repeated winters. The fragments then slip out of place.
Foot traffic and previous work
Tiles cracked by someone walking on the roof — during aerial fitting or other trades — often slip weeks or months later once the crack opens up.
What to do
- 1
Note where and how many tiles have moved
From the ground with binoculars, record the location and count. A single slipped tile is a routine repair; a whole area moving points to widespread fixing failure that needs assessing.
- 2
Check the loft for exposure
Look underneath for daylight, wet felt or debris. If the underlay is intact the roof may be watertight for now, but an exposed gap should still be closed promptly before rain drives in.
- 3
Keep clear of falling material
Loose tiles can fall without warning. Keep people and cars away from the area below and do not attempt to refit tiles from a ladder yourself.
- 4
Get slipped tiles re-secured properly
A roofer will refit or replace the tiles and, importantly, check whether the fixings across that area have failed — otherwise the same thing recurs a few tiles along.
When to call a professional
Some situations are worth getting a roofer to look at straight away:
- Several tiles have slipped, suggesting widespread fixing failure
- The slipped tile is near the ridge, verge or a valley
- The underlay is torn or you can see daylight through the roof
- Tiles are at risk of falling onto a path, drive or public area
Safety first
Related roof types
Related guides
How Strong Winds Damage Roofs
From tile uplift to ridge and verge damage — how gales harm a roof, and what to check after a storm.
What Causes Roof Tiles to Slip or Crack?
The common reasons tiles fail and how to prevent it.
How to Spot Roof Damage After a Storm
What to look for after severe weather and what to do next.
Roofing in your area
Local housing and weather shape how this shows up. Explore roofing by area and find a roofer near you.