There’s a stain spreading on the ceiling, or a cracked tile you can see from the driveway, and you’d like it fixed before the next storm. The trouble is that a tile roof doesn’t always leak where the damage shows. Good tile roof repair in Orlando starts with finding out what’s happening under the tile, not just swapping the broken piece on top.
You’ve probably heard stories about tile roofs that got “fixed” three times and still leak. You want it done once, by someone who explains what they found.
APC Roofing is GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured. We repair clay and concrete tile roofs across the Orlando area, and your inspection and estimate are free. Call 407-270-1129 to set up a visit.
Why tile roofs leak
The tile is the outer shell. It sheds most of the rain, but some always gets through the gaps, especially in a wind-driven summer storm. That water lands on the underlayment, the waterproof layer on the deck, and runs out at the eave. As long as the underlayment is sound, the house stays dry.
So the real question in any tile roof repair is the condition of that layer. Once it’s worn or torn, water rides along the deck before it drips, and the stain can show up several feet from the opening. That’s why patching the spot right above the stain so often fails.
Common tile roof problems around Orlando
Here’s what we find most often on Orlando-area tile roofs:
- Cracked or slipped tiles. From foot traffic, falling branches or a loosened fastener. A gap exposes the underlayment to sun, and that layer breaks down quickly once the sun reaches it.
- Ridge and hip caps. Older roofs set these in mortar, which cracks as the roof heats and cools. Loose caps and mortar crumbs in the yard are the giveaway.
- Valleys. Leaves and debris collect in the metal channel, slow the water down and push it sideways under the tile.
- Walls and chimneys. These need wide metal flashing. A bead of caulk used as a shortcut fails after a few summers.
- Pipes and vents. Tile needs flashing shaped to its profile. A standard rubber boot can’t follow the curve, and water gets under it.
- Storm damage. Hurricane-season wind lifts and cracks tiles at the edges, hips and ridges, where it pulls hardest.
How tile roof repair in Orlando works
We start by walking every slope and checking the valleys, ridges, walls and eaves. Where the underlayment needs a look, tiles get lifted. We also check the attic from inside, because stained plywood shows the path the water took.
For a contained problem, the fix is targeted. Broken tiles get replaced with a matching profile and fastened the way the Florida Building Code and the tile maker require. Damaged flashing gets reshaped or replaced, and the underlayment around it is repaired while the area is open. Loose ridge caps get reset.
Matching takes some care. If your profile is still made, it’s usually straightforward. If it isn’t, reclaimed tile or a close match is the answer, and you’ll see samples before anything goes on. New tile can look a little brighter until it weathers.
When repair turns into a re-lay or replacement
If the underlayment is worn out across a whole slope, patching won’t hold. The fix is a re-lay: tiles come off and get stacked, damaged decking is replaced, new underlayment goes down and the good tiles go back on. Only the slopes that need it get touched.
Full replacement makes sense when the tile itself is failing or your profile is gone from the market. If you’re comparing materials, see our concrete tile roofing and clay tile roofing pages. For a broader look at tile, start at our Greater Orlando tile roofing page.
After a hurricane or tropical storm
If wind broke or lifted tiles, keep water out first. A tarp fastened properly over the ridge can protect the house for a few weeks, but it isn’t a repair. Then get the roof inspected. We photograph and document the damage and give you a written estimate. If you file an insurance claim, you file it yourself and pay your own deductible, and we work with your adjuster. Our hurricane damage roof repair page has more on that process.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of the damage and the sound parts of your roof, with each problem ranked by urgency. You decide what gets fixed and when.
- Your roof gets repaired and the site gets cleaned up. The crew protects your landscaping and clears every broken piece before leaving.
Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
Tile roof repair questions
Can you replace just one cracked tile?
Yes, if the underlayment underneath is in good shape. If it isn’t, a new tile on top won’t stop the leak, and you’ll see photos of why.
Why is my tile roof leaking when no tiles look broken?
The underlayment has probably worn out, or a flashing at a wall, valley or pipe has failed. Tile can look perfect while the layer below lets water through.
Is it repair or a full tile roof replacement?
It comes down to the underlayment. Sound underlayment means a repair. Worn underlayment across a slope means a re-lay. Failing tile means replacement.
Is it safe to walk on my tile roof to check it?
It’s better not to. Tile cracks easily under a foot in the wrong spot, and the break may not be visible from below.
A tile roof that stays dry
A small tile problem left through a rainy season lets water reach the decking, and a repair that once meant a few tiles can grow into re-laying a slope.
Get it fixed right, and the next summer storm passes over a dry, quiet house with no surprise bill. Call 407-270-1129 to book your free inspection, or start with our free online estimate.
