How tile roofs fail
- Cracked tiles from foot traffic (satellite installs, solar work, holiday lights), impacts or settling
- Slipped tiles when fasteners or clips loosen, leaving gaps
- Aging underlayment that dries out and cracks from heat over the years
- Valley and flashing problems where debris builds up and water is channeled
- Ridge and hip caps loosened by wind or by deteriorating mortar
Repair vs. relay vs. replace
| Option | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Spot repair | A handful of broken tiles or one bad flashing detail. Underlayment still sound. |
| Lift & relay | Underlayment worn out, tiles still in good shape. |
| Full replacement | Tiles widely damaged, discontinued, or you're switching materials. |
Please stay off the tile. Even careful walking cracks tiles. If someone needs to work on the roof for another trade (solar, satellite, HVAC), ask them how they'll protect the tile, or have a roofer handle the tile work.
Related: roof repair · replacement · wind damage
Tile roof FAQ
Can I just replace the broken tiles?
For a few cracked tiles over healthy underlayment, yes. A roofer can slide in matching replacements. If the underlayment beneath is brittle or torn, swapping tiles alone won't stop leaks.
What is a tile lift-and-relay?
The roofer removes the tiles, installs new underlayment (and often new battens and flashing), then re-lays the original tiles, replacing any broken ones. It can make sense when the tiles are still in good shape.
What if I can't find matching tiles?
Older profiles and colors can be discontinued. Roofers sometimes pull matching tiles from a less visible area, like the back slope, and put the closest available match there.