Tile roofs are common across Los Angeles, and homeowners are often surprised when one leaks even though no tiles are broken. The reason is usually underneath.
Tile isn’t the waterproof layer
Clay and concrete tile shed most of the water and protect the roof from sun, but the real waterproofing is the underlayment beneath it. Tile can last 50 years or more; underlayment usually lasts much less, especially under LA heat.
Signs the underlayment is failing
- Leaks that appear in heavy rain with no visible broken tile
- Stains near valleys, walls or chimneys
- Brittle, cracked felt visible at the roof edges
- A tile roof that’s 20–30+ years old and never had a lift-and-relay
The fix: lift-and-relay
We remove the tile, stack it, install new underlayment and flashing, and relay the original tile, replacing any broken pieces. You keep the look of your home and fix the real problem for much less than a new tile roof.
When to replace the tile too
If the tile is crumbling, the profile is no longer made, or many pieces are broken, a new tile roof may make more sense. We’ll tell you which applies after an inspection.
What a lift-and-relay looks like on the job
On a typical job, the crew removes the tile section by section and stacks it on the roof. The old underlayment comes off, damaged decking is replaced, and new underlayment and flashing go down at the valleys, walls and penetrations. Then the original tile goes back on, with any broken pieces replaced by matching tile.
Because the tile is reused, the house looks the same when we’re done, but the waterproofing underneath is new.
Questions about your roof? Call Crown Roofing and Repairs at (818) 350-2740 for a free estimate anywhere in the San Fernando Valley. Licensed C-39, CSLB #C39-1156638.