Individual pieces may be repairable, while leaks involving underlayment or flashing can require work beneath a much larger section.
How Tile Roofing Works
Tile forms the visible water-shedding surface.
Below it, underlayment helps protect the roof deck and flashing manages water around walls, valleys and penetrations.
This layered construction is important when diagnosing leaks.
A cracked tile may explain one problem.
If the tiles above an interior leak appear intact, the source may be lower in the assembly.
Broken Tile Repair
Individual cracked or displaced tiles can often be replaced when the surrounding roof is in suitable condition.
The roofer needs to access the damaged area without unnecessarily breaking additional tile.
Matching the exact appearance of older tile can also be difficult because existing material may have weathered for many years.
Underlayment Problems
Tile can remain visually intact longer than some components underneath it.
When underlayment deteriorates, repairs may require removing tile from the affected area, correcting the underlying problem and reinstalling suitable material.
This is a different project from replacing one broken tile.
Flashing
Tile roofs still need properly integrated flashing.
Areas to inspect include:
- roof-to-wall transitions;
- valleys;
- plumbing penetrations;
- chimneys where present;
- roof edges.
A leak should be traced to the failed detail before large sections of tile are disturbed.
Tile Roof Replacement
A replacement project should consider:
- structural suitability;
- existing deck;
- underlayment;
- flashing;
- roof geometry;
- selected tile;
- access and handling.
Tile weight and installation requirements make planning particularly important when changing from another roofing material.