ServicesTile Roofing
Carson Tile Roofing That Keeps Your Original Tile in Place
Clay and concrete tile can outlast generations, while the underlayment under it gives out far sooner. We repair, reset and restore tile roofs so the tile already on your home keeps doing its job, and we say so directly when a section really needs new tile.
Most tile roofs need work below the tile, not new tile
Think of a tile roof as two layers working together. The tile sheds most of the rain and takes the sun. Underneath, the underlayment is what actually keeps water out, and it is usually the first part to fail, often while the tile still looks good from the street.
For that reason, much of our tile work is lifting and relaying with care. We take tile off in sections, stack it in order, renew the worn underlayment and flashing, then put the same tile back. Your home keeps its original look, and you are not buying new material while the old tile still has decades of service in it.
When the tile itself is failing or a profile can no longer be matched, we also install new tile and handle complete tile replacement. If your home has a low-slope section too, our flat roofing page explains that work.
What our tile roofing work covers
Underlayment lift and relay
We take up the tile, replace aged felt or synthetic underlayment, and relay the original tile. Cracked pieces are set aside and replaced, not reinstalled.
Broken and slipped tile
Single cracked or shifted tiles are replaced to match in profile and color. Where a match is hard to find, we can borrow tiles from a hidden area of your roof and use the closest new tile there.
Flashing at valleys and walls
Metal valley pans, wall flashing and chimney flashing carry most of the water on a tile roof. We replace rusted or undersized metal so water reaches the gutters instead of the deck.
Ridge and hip caps
Cracked mortar along ridges and hips lets water and wind under the cap tiles. We reset loose caps and repoint or rebuild the joints for a clean, even line.
Eave closures and bird stops
Open gaps at the first row invite nesting and wind-driven rain. Proper closures keep the eaves tidy and sealed.
New tile installation
For new tile, we check that the framing can carry the weight, then install battens, underlayment, flashing and tile as one system.
Signs your tile roof needs attention
Cracked or shifted tiles
Tiles that sit crooked or show cracks from the yard are often the first visible clue. Each gap exposes the underlayment to sun, which speeds its wear.
Ceiling stains after the first rains
After a long dry Carson summer, the first winter storm is when worn underlayment shows itself. A stain that appears then usually means water is getting past the tile and the layer below it.
Crumbling ridge mortar
Pieces of mortar in the gutters or on the ground mean the ridge caps are losing their hold.
Sandy grit in the gutters
Concrete tile slowly sheds its surface as it ages. A buildup of fine grit is worth a closer look at the tile and the valleys.
The underlayment has never been replaced
If the roof is original to the house, the underlayment may be near the end of its life even when the tile looks sound.
Steps in a tile roof job
- 1
A close inspection
We step only on supported tile and raise a few pieces to check the underlayment, battens and flashing. You receive photos of our findings and an explanation of what matters most.
- 2
Written options and pricing
The free written estimate lists each part of the job on its own line. When a targeted repair will hold, we put it next to the larger option so you can pick.
- 3
On the roof
We cover plants and walkways, stack tile in order on the roof, and renew underlayment and flashing one section at a time, so your home is never left exposed.
- 4
Resetting, a final check and cleanup
The tile goes back in its original pattern, the caps are set, and we walk the roof once more before we leave. Broken tile and debris are cleared from the yard.
What drives the price of tile work
Prices for tile work swing more than for most roofing, since so much rides on what lies beneath the tile. We price from what we find on your roof, item by item, so you can see the cost of each part. Financing is available through Service Finance Company, subject to credit approval.
- Amount of roof being worked on
- Swapping out a handful of tiles is minor. Relaying one full slope, or the entire roof, takes much more labor and material.
- Type of tile and finding a match
- Clay and concrete behave differently on the job, and profiles no longer made can take longer to source or salvage.
- State of the battens and decking
- Battens that have rotted or decking that has gone soft, discovered once the tile comes up, must be replaced before fresh underlayment goes on.
- Slope, height and reach
- Tall or steep roofs need more staging and care, and narrow side yards slow how fast material can move.
- Permits
- Bigger underlayment and replacement jobs typically need a permit and an inspection, and we set those up as part of the job.
Common questions about tile roofs
Something not covered here? (310) 982-2274
Can you put my current tile back on?
Often you can keep it. Clay and concrete tile in good condition can be taken up and reset over new underlayment. We expect a small number to break during removal and swap those for matching tile. If much of the tile is cracked or brittle, we will tell you new tile is the better choice.
How long will the underlayment beneath my tile hold up?
That depends on what it is made of and how much sunlight gets to it through gaps and broken tiles. Older felt often gives out decades before the tile. The only dependable way to know is to raise a few tiles and check, which is part of our inspection.
Do you break tiles when you walk on the roof?
A tile can crack if weight lands in the wrong place. We step where tiles overlap over the battens that support them, and any piece that cracks during our work gets replaced.
Does insurance cover tile repairs?
It may if a covered event, such as a windstorm, caused the damage. We work directly with your insurance claim with photos and a clear description of the damage, and your insurer makes the call. Age-related wear usually is not covered.
Keep the tile you have working for years to come
We will look under your tile, show you what we find, and put the options in writing. The inspection and estimate are free.