A cracked tile showed up after the last hailstorm, and now you’re not sure who in town even works on a roof like yours. Or you love the look of tile and want to know if it makes sense on a house in Missouri. Either way, tile roofing in Independence is a little outside the usual, and most of the roofers knocking on doors after a storm mainly do shingles.
That leaves a lot of homeowners guessing. Tile is expensive to replace and easy to break if someone walks on it wrong, so the wrong crew can do more harm than the storm did. You need someone who’ll explain what’s going on up there in plain words.
APC Roofing repairs and installs clay and concrete tile roofs. We’re a GAF Certified contractor, licensed and insured, in business since 2017, and your inspection and estimate are free.
Tile roofing in Independence: how it holds up to Missouri weather
Tile has a reputation for lasting a very long time, and in the right conditions it does. Our weather tests it in two ways that Florida and Arizona don’t.
Freeze and thaw. Tile absorbs a little water. When that water freezes inside the tile, it expands, and over many winters that can cause flaking, spalling or cracks. Tile sold for cold climates is made and tested to resist this. If you’re choosing new tile, make sure it’s rated for severe freeze-thaw weather. If you already have tile, flaking surfaces and hairline cracks are worth having looked at.
Hail. A big enough hailstone can crack a clay or concrete tile, especially at the thin edges. The good news is that tile roofs are usually repaired one piece at a time. A cracked tile comes out and a matching one goes in, without disturbing the rest of the roof.
Snow and ice add a third consideration. Snow slides off tile more readily than off shingles, which can send a sheet of it over the gutters all at once. Snow guards along the lower edge are something to ask about.
Clay or concrete tile?
Clay tile is fired, so its color goes all the way through and holds up for a long time in the sun. It’s lighter than concrete in most profiles but can be more brittle under a direct hit.
Concrete tile costs less and comes in many shapes, including flat profiles that look like slate or shake. It’s heavier and absorbs more water than most clay tile, so the freeze-thaw rating matters even more.
Both come in barrel (the classic S-curve), flat and interlocking styles. We’ll walk you through what fits the look of your house and the budget you have in mind.
Can your house carry a tile roof?
Tile is much heavier than shingles. A house that was built for shingles may need its roof framing checked, and sometimes strengthened, before tile goes on. That’s a question to settle before you fall in love with a sample, and it’s one of the first things we’ll look at if you’re thinking of switching. Our tile roof installation in Kansas City page goes deeper on what a new tile roof involves.
The layer under the tile does the real work
Most tile owners are surprised to learn that the tile isn’t the waterproofing. It’s more like armor. The underlayment beneath it is what actually keeps water out, and it usually wears out long before the tile does.
So when an older tile roof starts leaking, the fix often isn’t new tile at all. The tiles are carefully lifted and stacked, new underlayment and flashing go down, and the sound tiles are reinstalled with replacements for any broken ones. It’s a big job, but it can cost much less than a full new roof.
Signs your tile roof needs attention
- Cracked, chipped or slipped tiles, often visible from the ground
- Tiles that look flaky or crumbly on the surface after a few winters
- Leaves and debris packed in the valleys, which can push water sideways under the tile
- Ceiling stains or damp spots in the attic after heavy rain or a snowmelt
- Mortar at the ridge or hips that’s cracked or missing
For repair specifics, see our tile roof repair in Kansas City page.
Please don’t walk on it
Tile breaks under foot when weight lands in the wrong spot. If you need a satellite dish moved, holiday lights hung or the gutters cleared, ask whoever’s doing it whether they know how to work on tile. A lot of the “hail damage” found on tile roofs turns out to be footprints. If you have spare tiles from when your roof was installed, keep them, since an exact match can be hard to find later.
After a storm
If hail or wind damaged your tile roof, you file the claim with your insurance company and you pay your deductible. We inspect the roof, document broken tiles and any other damage with photos, give you a written estimate and work with your adjuster. Our hail damage roof repair in Independence page explains what to look for.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request an estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of the tile, the valleys and the ridge, and hear whether you need a few tiles replaced, new underlayment or something bigger. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- Your roof gets done and the site gets cleaned up.
A cracked tile isn’t an emergency by itself, but it leaves the underlayment exposed to sun and water. Left long enough, a one-tile fix can turn into a section that needs new underlayment.
Tile roofing questions from Independence homeowners
Is tile a good roof for Missouri?
It can be, if you choose tile rated for freeze-thaw weather and your house can carry the weight. It’s less common here than in warmer states, so pick a contractor who’s comfortable working on it.
Can you replace just a few broken tiles?
Yes. Individual tiles can usually be swapped out without disturbing the rest. Finding a match for an older or discontinued tile can take some searching.
My tile roof leaks, but the tiles look fine. Why?
Most likely the underlayment beneath the tile has worn out, or a valley or flashing is letting water in. Lifting a few tiles usually shows which.
Will hail ruin a tile roof?
Small hail usually doesn’t. Larger hail can crack tiles, mostly at the edges, and those tiles can be replaced individually.
Talk to us about your tile roof
You shouldn’t have to wonder whether the roof over your family is still doing its job. Call 913-398-5020 or book your free inspection online. Everything else we do in town is on our Independence roofing page.
You’ll come away knowing exactly what your tile roof needs, with a dry house and no surprise bill.
