How do I replace low down concrete tiles (which will be nailed to battens) without having to start from the top of the roof? Is there some trick? How do I remove the old and fit the new?

Dave, January 2010

IF YOUR TILES ARE INTERLOCKING ALL YOU DO IS LIFT THE TILE USUALLY THE RIGHT ONE ABOVE THE ONE YOU WANT OUT AND PLACE A PEICE OF WOOD OR BROKEN TILE UNDER IT TO KEEP TILES OFF THE ONE YOU WANT TO REMOVE YOU THEN HOLD THE TILE AT BOTTOM WITH BOTH HANDS AND TWIST IT OUT THIS USUALLY POPS THE NAIL OUT,YOU THEN DRAG IT OUT THEN SLIP THE NEW ONE IN.
HOPE THIS HELPS. ONLY WORKS WITH INTERLOCKING TILES.

David Cummings., February 2010

Thanks both - really looking forward to getting out there in the cold, wet, snowy weather - big beaming grin on my face and a song in my heart ... yeah, right!

Dave, February 2010

It's a tile nail ripper arrow shaped head with nail cutting slots left and right at base of arrow head slide the blade up under the tile you want to remove and hook the nail in the cutter whack the flat on the front of the handle and the cutter should slice through the nail.Yes use gloves. lift the tiles above and wedge with a peice of 2 z 1 that's how I did it on the many roofs I've repaired. The usuall nailing sequence is every fourth row which helps to prevent any chance of 'Wind lift' you'd be suprised how strong wind in gusts can be.

Bob, February 2010

renown type tiles .have recently fitted some tile vents and made some wooden wedges and used them to keep surounding tiles lifted after first lifting them with a nail bar .tiles were only nailed every so many.bit fiddley,wear gloves.

xs11, January 2010