If you are an Aussie homeowner with a tired-looking roof, you might be thinking, ‘Time for a roof replacement!’
In Australia, our roofs take a beating from the sun, storms and salty coastal air. But these elements can make our roofs look worse than they actually are.
With many Australian homes built decades ago, a few cracks or patches of moss can make us feel like our roofs need to be ripped off and replaced for it to look good again.
However, there is a solution that doesn’t require a full roof replacement.
It’s a combination of two things: roof cleaning and roof tile recycling!
Instead of sending tonnes of tiles to landfill, we can clean, reuse, and repurpose them. This solution is great if you want to save money while caring for the planet.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through why you should consider recycling your roof tiles, how roof tile recycling works at a roofing supplies store works and how roof cleaning can breathe new life into old tiles.
If you care about cutting waste and boosting your home’s value, keep reading!
Why Should You Recycle Roof Tiles?
Thousands of homes in Australia have roof work done every year.
And where do the roof tiles go after construction work is done? Often, they are dumped into landfills across Australia.
Yet these tiles could have been reused, resold, or crushed to form other useful materials!
Many homeowners and construction workers forget that terracotta and cement tiles are made from valuable natural resources, including clay, sand, and limestone.
If we just discard them, this adds to landfill pressure and contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions. The City of Parramatta NSW Government website states that ‘recycling or safe disposal of these materials is important as it can help reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and energy used over a product’s lifecycle.’
Roof tile recycling helps reclaim perfectly usable tiles and reduce the demand for new manufacturing. This means fewer emissions from kilns, less quarrying, and supporting sustainable roofing in Australia.
Even broken tiles can be ground down and used in landscaping, road base, or as aggregate in new construction projects!
By using recycled roof tiles, you can contribute to a circular roofing economy, where materials are reused rather than discarded. But how does roof tile recycling actually work?
How Roof Tile Recycling Actually Works
If you’re wondering how roof tile recycling works, here is a step-by-step breakdown of the whole process:
| 1. Collect The Tiles: When an old roof is stripped, the tiles are collected and sorted rather than sent straight to landfill. |
| 2. Inspection & Grading: Tiles are then inspected for damage. Intact ones are categorised as reusable. Broken ones are crushed and repurposed, so nothing goes to waste. |
| 3. Cleaning & Storage: Usable tiles are thoroughly cleaned, then stored by type, colour, and condition. |
| 1. Collect the Tiles: When an old roof is stripped, the tiles are collected and sorted rather than sent straight to landfill. |
And now this is where you come in! You can buy these recycled roof tiles for your own sustainable roof restoration project.
Save Money And Reduce Waste With Roof Cleaning
Professional roof cleaning and maintenance play a key role in recycling, as they help you identify which tiles can be saved.
At first glance, you might think your roof tiles all need to be discarded or replaced.
But after soft washing or gentle pressure cleaning, dirt, moss, and lichen are removed, revealing the true condition of each tile!
Many tiles that appear discoloured or weathered are actually in excellent shape underneath. That means fewer replacements, less landfill, and more savings for you! So don’t replace perfectly good tiles that only need a good clean.
Here’s a handy checklist on how to clean and inspect tiles:
- Inspect for cracks, erosion, or loose tiles. Mark severely damaged ones for recycling.
- Remove leaves, moss, dirt and other debris using a blower or broom.
- Soft Wash or Pressure Clean with an eco-friendly detergent and gently wash using the appropriate pressure for tile type.
- Check once dry and reassess tiles for structural integrity and surface wear.
- Sort your tiles. Intact tiles with no cracks or deep surface damage can be reused, but set aside chipped or broken ones for recycling or aggregate use.
What Kind of Recycled Roof Tiles Are There?
The most widely recycled roof tiles in Australia are terracotta and concrete. Both of these options are incredibly durable!
Terracotta can last over 75 years when properly cared for, while concrete tiles often last 50 years or more.
The key to long-lasting roof tiles is regular cleaning and sealing. This helps prevent moisture absorption, moss growth, and weather wear.
Whether you choose terracotta roof tile recycling or give your old concrete tiles a fresh start, restored tiles look nearly new, at a fraction of the cost of replacement!
Roof Restoration vs Replacement
When a roof starts to look tired, many homeowners think replacement is the easiest option. But often, roof restoration is a smarter, more sustainable alternative that is significantly cheaper and less disruptive!
Roof replacement involves removing all of your old tiles (most of which end up in landfill), purchasing entirely new materials, and installing a brand-new roof.
It’s an intensive, disruptive and expensive process. Roof restoration, on the other hand, brings your roof back to life without the need to strip everything off!
This not only preserves the original character of your home but also reduces material waste and labour costs.
Restoration can cost you less than half the price of replacement, especially if your roof’s structure is still sound. It’s also faster to complete, causing less inconvenience to your daily life!
And of course, restoration uses already existing materials, as well as recycled roof tiles, making restoration the more eco-conscious choice.
How to Choose an Eco-Conscious Roof Care Provider
If you want to make sure your roof maintenance and restoration project is both smooth and sustainable, you need to choose a roof care provider carefully. Not all roofers take the same approach, so it’s worth doing a little research to find professionals who prioritise environmental responsibility AND quality workmanship.
Here’s what to look for when choosing an eco-conscious roof care provider:
| – Recycling partnerships with tile reclaimers or circular economy programs – Licensed and insured roofers with restoration expertise – Use of water-saving soft wash systems and biodegradable cleaners – A focus on repair over replacement, where possible – Transparency in waste handling and disposal practices – Ability to provide reuse or recycling certification if requested – Knowledge of local recycling networks, especially in the Central Coast and Newcastle regions |
By choosing the right roof care provider, you’ll ensure your roof looks great, lasts a long time, saves money and protects our planet.
Recycling Roof Tiles
Address: 6 David St, Doyalson NSW 2262
Phone: 0427 241 224
Let’s Keep Tiles Out of Landfill
Before you commit to a full roof replacement, consider roof tile recycling!
As we have seen, many tiles simply need to be cleaned, restored, and reused rather than sent to landfill.
Restoration is not only more affordable and less invasive, but it also supports a more sustainable future for Australian homes.
With roof cleaning and assessment, you’ll know exactly which tiles can be kept, reused, or repurposed. So if your roof’s looking tired, think twice before replacing it all.
Try roof restoration alongside roof tile recycling, and let’s keep those tiles out of the landfill!