Tile roofing in Los Angeles
Clay and concrete tile roofs are part of how Los Angeles looks, and the tile itself can last for decades. What most owners do not know is that the tile is not what keeps water out. The underlayment beneath it does that, and it wears out long before the tile. We install new tile roofs, replace broken tiles, and renew the underlayment while saving the tile.
- Service
- Tile roofing
- Contractor
- LA General Builders, CSLB Lic #1044686
How a tile roof works
Tile is a hard shell that takes the sun, sheds most of the rain and protects the layer under it. Curved tile leaves gaps where wind-driven rain gets through, and that is expected. The underlayment below is the real waterproofing, and the flashing in the valleys and at the walls carries the water back out onto the tile.
This is why a tile roof can leak while every tile is in place, and why the fix is rarely new tile. It is also why tile work needs a crew that knows how to move on the roof without breaking it. Tile is heavy as well, so on a house not originally built for it, the framing has to be checked before tile goes on.
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Clay tile
Curved barrel tile for Spanish and Mission style homes. Holds its color for the life of the tile.
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Concrete tile
Flat or curved profiles at a lower cost than clay. The most common tile in the Valley.
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The layer under the tile
Underlayment beneath the tile keeps the house dry, and it wears out long before the tile does.
Signs a tile roof needs work
- Cracked, broken or missing tiles
- Tiles that have slipped out of line
- Leaks even though the tile looks intact from the ground
- Mortar at the ridges and hips that is cracked or falling out
- Debris and nests under the tile at the eaves
- Stains on the fascia or the eave boards
How the job runs
The same steps on every job, from the first look at the roof to the final inspection.
Inspect without breaking tile
We check the roof from the eaves, the attic and the safe walking paths, and count the broken and slipped tiles.
Written scope and price
The scope says whether the job is a tile repair, new underlayment under the existing tile, or a full new tile roof.
Remove or lift the tile
On a re-roof the tile is taken off and stacked for reuse where it is sound. On a new roof we start from the bare deck.
Repair the deck
With the tile off, rotted decking, cracked rafters and damaged fascia are replaced.
Underlayment and flashing
New underlayment, valley metal and flashing go on. This is the layer that keeps the house dry.
Set the tile
Tile is laid and fastened, ridges and hips are finished, and broken pieces are replaced with matching tile.
Clay or concrete tile
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Clay tile | Spanish and Mission style homes | Holds its color for the life of the tile. Costs more and is more brittle underfoot. |
| Concrete tile | Most tile roofs in the Valley | Costs less than clay and comes in flat and curved profiles. Surface color can fade over time. |
| Lightweight tile | Homes whose framing was not built for standard tile | Lower weight, with the look of tile. The framing still has to be checked. |
| Reused existing tile | Underlayment replacement on a sound tile roof | Saves the cost of new tile. Broken pieces are replaced with the closest match available. |
What sets the price
- Roof area and the number of hips, valleys and ridges
- Whether the existing tile can be reused
- The type and profile of tile
- The underlayment chosen for under the tile
- Deck and framing repairs found once the tile is off
- Pitch, height and access for moving tile
Permits and inspections
Most full re-roofs need a building permit from your city or the county, and the rules differ from one building department to the next. We confirm what applies to your address, pull the permit and meet the inspector, so the finished roof is signed off.
Questions homeowners ask
My tile looks fine. Why is the roof leaking?
Tile sheds most of the rain, but some water gets under it by design. The underlayment beneath is what keeps that water out of the house, and it wears out before the tile does.
Can you reuse my tile?
Usually, if the tile is sound. We lift it, replace the underlayment and relay it, and swap broken pieces for the closest match we can find.
Can my house carry a tile roof?
Tile is much heavier than shingles. If the house was not built for tile, the framing has to be checked, and sometimes strengthened, before tile goes on. As general builders we can do that work.
Can I walk on my tile roof?
We advise against it. Tile breaks under a misplaced step, and a broken tile lets the sun and water reach the underlayment.
Can you match discontinued tile?
Often. Salvage yards carry older profiles. Where an exact match cannot be found, we move original tile to the visible slopes and use the closest match where it shows least.
Get a price for your roof
Tell us about the roof and we will call you to set up a visit. Or call now and talk to an estimator.
818-741-5451See a price range in about a minute
LA General Builders, 8728 Zelzah Ave, Northridge, CA 91325
CSLB Lic #1044686