Tile Roof Repair and Replacement in Los Angeles
Clay and concrete tile roof repair and replacement in Los Angeles. Cracked tiles, worn underlayment, flashing and full re-roofs.
Family owned Los Angeles, CA
Licensed · Bonded · Insured
California license #1045592
01 / Tile roofing
Clay and concrete tile are part of how Los Angeles looks, from Spanish and Mediterranean houses in Glendale and Pasadena to homes on the Westside and in the hills. Tile is durable and handles heat well, but it is not maintenance free. Denali Builders CA repairs and replaces tile roofs, and starts by finding out what is actually failing.
02 / Why tiles fail
Why tile roofs usually fail underneath first
The tile is the visible part of the roof. The underlayment under it is the layer that actually keeps water out, and it wears out long before the tile does. On many older Los Angeles tile roofs, the tile is still in good condition while the underlayment has dried out and cracked. That is why a tile roof can leak even when nothing looks wrong from the street.
The usual fix on an older roof is not new tile. It is to lift the tile, replace the underlayment and flashing, and lay the sound tile back.
03 / Warning signs
Signs your tile roof needs work
- Cracked, chipped or slipped tiles, or tile fragments in the yard or gutters
- Water stains on ceilings, especially after heavy rain
- Cracked or missing mortar along ridges and hips
- Dislodged ridge or hip caps
- Rusted or lifted flashing around chimneys, skylights and walls
- Sagging areas in the roofline
04 / Repairs
Tile roof repair
Tile repair covers replacing broken tiles, re-seating slipped ones, re-bedding ridge and hip caps, and renewing flashing. Where a leak traces back to worn underlayment, the repair means lifting the tile in that area, replacing the underlayment and putting the tile back. If the problem is spread across the roof, we will tell you when a full re-roof is the better value. See roof repair for how we trace leaks.
05 / Replacement
Tile roof replacement
A full tile re-roof follows the same order as any replacement: the tile is removed and stacked, the deck is inspected and repaired, new underlayment and flashing go down, and the tile is reinstalled with new pieces for anything cracked. This lets you keep the look of the house while renewing the part of the roof that wears out. If you want to change materials altogether, see roof replacement.
06 / Code rules
Tile and Los Angeles roofing rules
- Permits. In the City of Los Angeles the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) issues roofing permits and inspects the work. Other cities have their own offices.
- Fire rating. Hillside neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Glendale and Pasadena include fire zones where the roof must be rated Class A. The rating applies to the assembly, not just the tile.
- Cool roof. Cool-rated tile products exist, and California's Energy Code asks for them on many replacements. We check what applies to your roof before choosing.
- Weight. Tile is heavy. Changing to or from tile means checking the framing first.
Clay tile roof 
Flat concrete tile 
Concrete tile ridge cap
07 / Foot traffic
Protecting a tile roof from foot traffic
Most cracked tile is caused by people walking on it, not by weather. Solar installers, satellite and antenna crews, air conditioning technicians and gutter cleaners all walk the roof. If you have work done up there, ask the crew to step carefully, and have us look at it afterward. Please do not climb on a tile roof yourself.
08 / Where we work
Where we work on tile
Tile is especially common in Glendale and Pasadena, but we work on tile roofs throughout our service area.
Can broken roof tiles be replaced one at a time?
Usually yes, when the damage is limited and the underlayment below is still in good shape. Repeated broken tiles can mean the roof needs a closer look, and matching an older tile can take some searching.
Why does my tile roof leak when the tiles look fine?
Tiles shed most of the water, but the underlayment beneath them is what keeps the rain out. That layer wears out long before the tile does. Flashing at chimneys, walls and valleys is the other common source.
Can you reuse my existing tiles?
Often, yes. On a re-roof the tiles can be removed, stacked, the deck and underlayment renewed, and sound tiles laid back. Cracked tiles are replaced, and we look for a close match.
Can I switch from shingles to tile?
Tile is much heavier than shingles, so the roof structure has to be evaluated first. We do not recommend the change unless the structure supports it.
Do tile roofs meet fire code in the hillsides?
Tile is a common choice in hillside fire zones, but the rating belongs to the whole roof assembly, including the underlayment and how it is installed. Cities set their own Class A requirements, which we check for your address.
10 / Keep exploring
More roofing help
- Roofing servicesEverything we do on a roof
- Roof repairLeaks, storm damage, flashing
- Roof replacementTear-off to final inspection
- Asphalt shingle roofingRepair and re-roofing
- Flat roofingLow-slope roofs and membranes
- Roof inspectionKnow what your roof needs
- Roofing questionsStraight answers for homeowners
- Areas we serveCities and permit offices
- Customer reviewsWhat customers say on Google
- Contact usCall or send a message
Los Angeles & surrounding communities
Santa Monica · Culver City · Burbank · PasadenaSanta Monica, Culver City, Burbank and Pasadena
See service areasFree consultation
Have a tile roof looked at
Tell us what you are seeing and we will tell you whether it is a repair, a lift-and-relay, or a new roof.
(855) 200-6550Prefer a conversation? Give us a call.