The ventilation (also called micro ventilation) between the tile and the support panel determines its efficiency and the durability of the roof over the years. The tiles are made of natural clays, which gives them a certain porosity that allows them to "breathe" by absorbing and removing water and retaining moisture inside the building. In order to prevent the appearance of condensation and moisture that lead to leaks inside the house, it is necessary to consider compliance with the roof assembly regulations, as well as good ventilation and the use of accessories that allow this. Due to ventilation, air flows under the tile and allows it dries continuously, as well as reducing the appearance of muscles and fungi, which makes the roof retain its beauty over time. For this, the eaves line and the ridge line must never be mounted with cement or similar, but open to facilitate the passage of air and protected against the entry of birds, insects and small rodents.

Ceramic tile is a product made of natural clays and therefore porous. This porosity is what gives it a certain degree of permeability, which is controlled by our manufacturers through a process of selection, pressing and burning of clay, which eliminates any possibility of leakage caused by the tile. Permeability, as well as other characteristics of the plates from BRANDS sold by LEXTOM ROOF, are measured and audited periodically by various national and international institutes that grant tiles the most rigorous quality certifications. As a general rule, when water leaks appear, in most cases they occur as a consequence of problems with the execution and installation of tiles (lack of inclination, excessive use of mortar, lack of ventilation, closure of single points, such as chimneys, wall joints…) that can affect the tightness of the roof and therefore, they can lead to water leaks. Each case requires a thorough check by a roofing professional.

The muscle or microorganisms that appear on the roof are known, they appear usually due to the exposure of the tiles (due to their porosity and their natural state) to certain circumstances, such as proximity to vegetation, northern orientation of the roof, low slope, air pollution, as well as lack of ventilation and use of mortar.

Avoiding the appearance of verdigris is an almost impossible task given the number of factors that cause its appearance, but it can be prevented with a good dry installation, avoiding above all the use of mortar, as well as a mandatory micro ventilation between the tile and the painting.

On the other hand, depending on the location and characteristics of the area where the house is built, it is advisable to wash the roof every 3 to 5 years, thus eliminating the residues that have accumulated and can prevent the tile from drying out as well as obstruction of rainwater runoff.

White plate rings, called efflorescence, appear on the surface of the tiles due to salts or carbonates from the excess water used in the mortar to install the tiles, as well as due to excess moisture and lack of ventilation of the lid. Moisture emanates through the most ventilated areas, evaporating the water and leaving on the tiles the saltier substances that cause white spots. Despite the fact that the tiles maintain a rigorous salt control, the mortar and water used can cause the appearance of efflorescence, common during the works and which can be easily recovered by moistening the tiles with water and letting them dry (as long as the installation requirements and especially the requirements for roof ventilation are met). If the problem occurs later, it must always be analyzed and treated by specialized personnel, who can not only solve it, but also correct the cause that caused it. Normally, the area will be cleaned with water baths and even vinegar, thus purifying the salts and removing surface stains, but it is always recommended that each case be studied and prescribed according to the type of tile, installation and other architectural details.

In areas exposed to adverse weather conditions and especially in those where the roof is close to the sea, we must pay special attention to the installation of roofs, paying even more importance to their ventilation, so that there are no accumulations of salts or other microorganisms that could damage it.
The micro-ventilation (between the deck and the tile) will allow a correct ventilation of the tiles, quickly drying the humidity caused by the proximity of the sea, rain… giving the tiles and of course the whole roof, a greater durability.