Tile Roofing in Paradise Valley

What tile roofing work really involves

Most tile roofs here are concrete or clay, and the tiles themselves rarely fail. What fails is the underlayment, the felt or synthetic sheet that sheds water under them. Years of summer heat dry it out until it cracks, and that is usually when leaks start showing on the ceiling.

Often the fix is a lift and relay. We take the tiles off, stack them on the roof, replace the underlayment and flashings, then set the good tiles back with new fasteners. When tiles are too brittle or a profile is no longer made, we talk with you about new tile instead.

Tile is regulated closely by the building code: minimum slope, underlayment layers, how each tile is fastened. As an Arizona KB-2 licensed contractor, we handle the paperwork with the building department and build to those rules so the work passes inspection the first time.

What's included in our tile work

Careful tile removal and staging

We pull tiles by hand and stack them evenly across the roof so the weight stays spread out. Cracked pieces are set aside and counted so you know the replacement number up front.

New underlayment to code

We install underlayment rated for tile and lay it the way the code calls for on your roof's slope. On lower-pitch sections, that can mean an extra layer or a self-adhered membrane.

Flashings, valleys and penetrations

Valley metal, wall flashing, and pipe and vent flashings are replaced, not reused. These are the spots where tile roofs leak most, so we treat them as part of the job, not an extra.

Battens, bird stops and fasteners

Where battens are used, we set new ones. Eave closures keep birds and debris out, and each tile is fastened to the pattern the code requires for its profile.

Inspections and cleanup

We file the permit, schedule the inspections and meet the inspector on site. When the roof is finished, we clear broken tile, old underlayment and nails from your yard and driveway.

Signs your tile roof needs attention

• Water stains after a rain

  A stain on the ceiling under a tile roof usually means the underlayment has given out, even if every tile looks fine from the ground.

• Cracked or slipped tiles

  Broken or shifted tiles expose the underlayment to sun, which speeds up its breakdown. A few loose pieces are worth fixing before they turn into a bigger job.

• Your roof is 20 or more years old

  Older felt underlayment in desert heat often becomes brittle around this age. If you have never had the underlayment replaced, it is likely due for a look.

• Rusted or lifting flashing

  Valley metal and wall flashing that has rusted through or pulled away lets water run straight under the tile.

• Debris piling in valleys

  Leaves and dirt that sit in valleys hold water against the roof and can push it sideways under the tiles.

How a tile roof job runs

1. 1

   A look at your roof

   We come out, check the tiles, the flashings and what we can see of the underlayment, and take photos so you see what we see. You get a written estimate that spells out each line.

2. 2

   Paperwork filed with the town

   Once you say yes, we file the permit with the local building department. Work starts after it is issued, not before.

3. 3

   Tear-off and underlayment

   We remove tiles, strip the old underlayment and check the decking. Soft or damaged boards are shown to you before they are replaced, then new underlayment and flashings go down.

4. 4

   Mid-roof inspection

   Many jurisdictions want to see the underlayment before tile goes back on. We schedule that inspection and wait for the sign-off so nothing gets covered up early.

5. 5

   Relay, final and cleanup

   Tiles are set and fastened, the final inspection is passed, and we clean up. Our 10-year labor warranty covers the workmanship on the finished roof.

What moves the cost of tile roofing

No two tile roofs price the same. Instead of a single figure with nothing behind it, your written estimate breaks the job into its parts so you can see where each dollar goes. These are the things that move it most.

Relay or new tile

Reusing your existing tile keeps material costs down. New tile adds cost, especially when a full roof's worth is needed.

Broken tile count and matching

Replacement tiles for older or discontinued profiles can be hard to find. We may suggest pulling matching tiles from a less visible slope to keep the front of your home consistent.

Roof size, pitch and shape

More area means more labor and material. Steep slopes, hips, valleys and dormers take longer to work around safely.

Decking condition

We cannot see every board until the old underlayment comes off. If decking needs replacing, we show you and confirm the cost before going further.

Underlayment choice

Synthetic and self-adhered underlayments cost more than standard felt but tend to hold up better in heat. We explain the tradeoff and what code requires for your slope.