Question 1

How much does tile roof repair cost?

Accepted Answer

Individual tile replacement typically runs $250-$500 for a small repair visit covering a handful of tiles. Flashing repairs — valleys, chimneys, penetrations — run $500-$1,500 depending on access and metal. If the underlayment has failed across a slope, a re-felt (lift the tiles, replace the underlayment, reinstall the same tiles) is priced by the square and costs far less than a new tile roof. We quote after inspection, not over the phone.

Question 2

Can a cracked roof tile be repaired, or does it need replacement?

Accepted Answer

Replace it. Sealants and adhesives on a cracked clay or concrete tile are a temporary patch at best — moisture keeps working through, and heat cycling reopens the crack. Individual tiles are designed to be swapped: the surrounding tiles are lifted, the broken tile comes out, and a matching tile goes in. The trick is matching color and profile, which is where salvaged, weathered tile earns its keep.

Question 3

Why do tiles slip out of place?

Accepted Answer

Fastener or batten failure, usually. Nails corrode, hanging lugs break, or the wood battens the tiles hook onto rot — and gravity does the rest. A slipped tile exposes underlayment to UV and concentrated water flow, so it should be re-hung promptly even if the roof is not leaking yet. Widespread slipping across a slope usually signals batten or fastener failure and calls for more than spot fixes.

Question 4

My tile roof leaks but the tiles look fine. What is wrong?

Accepted Answer

Almost certainly the underlayment or flashings. Tiles are the armor; the waterproofing is the membrane underneath, and it wears out decades before the tile does — typically at 25-35 years. Flashings at valleys, chimneys, and walls are the other usual suspects. Both fail invisibly from above. The fix ranges from targeted flashing work to a full re-felt, and in either case your existing tiles are reused.

Question 5

What is ridge mortar failure?

Accepted Answer

On many older tile roofs, ridge and hip caps are bedded in mortar. Mortar is rigid; roofs move with heat and wind, so the mortar cracks, chunks fall away, and cap tiles loosen — a leak path and a falling-debris hazard. The modern fix is re-bedding or, better, converting to a mechanically fastened dry-ridge system that flexes with the roof and ventilates the ridge. This is one of the most common tile repairs we see.

Question 6

Can I walk on my tile roof?

Accepted Answer

Please don't. Foot traffic is one of the leading causes of tile damage — clay and concrete tiles crack under a wrong step, and slate can shear. We regularly repair damage caused by satellite installers, painters, and pressure washers who walked the roof. Tile crews walk the load-bearing parts of the tile (the head lap and hips), use foam pads and walk boards, and still budget for a few breakages.

Question 7

When does repair beat replacement?

Accepted Answer

When the failure is localized and the tile field is sound. Cracked tiles, slipped tiles, flashing failures, and ridge mortar are all repairs, even in quantity. Underlayment failure with healthy tile calls for a re-felt, not a new roof — your tiles are reused. Replacement only wins when a large share of the tiles themselves have failed, matching tile cannot be sourced, or the structure needs work anyway.

Question 8

Does insurance cover tile roof damage?

Accepted Answer

Frequently, when the cause is a covered peril — hail and wind-borne debris crack tiles, and those claims are well established, especially in Texas hail country. The key is documentation: cracked tiles photographed slope by slope, dated to the storm, with matching-tile availability addressed. We document tile damage the same way we document shingle claims and can meet your adjuster on site. Wear-and-tear underlayment failure is generally not covered.

Question 9

Can you match discontinued tiles for a repair?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. We identify the manufacturer — clay tile often carries a back-stamp on the underside — then source matches through salvage networks that reclaim tile from demolished roofs. Salvaged tile comes pre-weathered, so it blends into a 40-year-old roof far better than new production. For slate, we match thickness, color behavior, and texture from quarry and salvage stock. Bring us one sample tile and we can work from there.

Question 10

Do you repair slate roofs too?

Accepted Answer

Yes — slate, clay, and concrete are all in-house work. Our slate and tile crews are led by a master craftsman whose portfolio includes university landmarks like SMU and Tulane and hundreds of specialty slate and Ludowici roofs across the country. Lapeyre's slate restoration portfolio includes the historic Sylvain building and multiple other French Quarter roofs in New Orleans, so historic and luxury repairs are familiar ground.

Tile Roof Repair

Tile Roof Repair Financing Options

The Five Ways Tile Roofs Fail

The Walking-On-Tile Warning

What Tile Repairs Cost

Repair vs. Replace — and the Insurance Angle

Frequently Asked Questions

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