A clay tile roof is a big part of why your house looks the way it does. So when a tile cracks after a hailstorm, or a water stain shows up under a roof that’s supposed to last for generations, it’s unsettling. Finding someone who works on clay tile roofing in Kansas City can be its own headache, since most roofers here spend their days on asphalt shingles.
You want a roofer who respects what’s up there, won’t break more tiles walking on it than they fix, and will tell you honestly what it needs.
APC Roofing repairs and installs clay tile roofs. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and in business since 2017. Inspections are free. Call 913-398-5020 to have your roof looked at.
What makes clay tile different
Clay tile is shaped from natural clay and fired in a kiln, much like brick. The color usually runs all the way through the tile, so it holds its color for a very long time instead of fading the way a surface coating can. Well-made clay tile doesn’t rot or burn, and the sun barely touches it.
It comes in a few common shapes:
- Barrel or mission tile, the rounded half-pipe look most people picture
- S-tile, a single piece that copies the barrel look with less weight
- Flat or shingle-style tile, which gives a cleaner, more traditional look on many older homes
Clay is heavy. A clay tile roof can weigh several times what an asphalt shingle roof does, so the framing under it has to be built for that load. That’s a big deal if you’re thinking about switching from shingles to clay.
Clay tile roofing in Kansas City weather
Clay tile has a long track record in warm, dry places. Kansas City asks more of it.
Freeze and thaw
This is the big one here. Clay absorbs a small amount of water. When that water freezes inside the tile, it expands, and after enough cycles a poorly suited tile can flake or crack. Clay tile is graded by how well it stands up to freezing weather, and in Kansas City you want tile rated for severe weathering. If you’re matching or replacing tile, the grade matters as much as the color.
Hail
Clay is hard but brittle. Large hail can crack or break tiles, especially thinner profiles. The good news is that broken clay tiles can be replaced one at a time without disturbing the rest of the roof, as long as matching tile can be found.
Ice, snow and the layer underneath
The tile you see sheds most of the water, but the underlayment beneath it is what keeps your house dry. Snow that melts and refreezes at the eaves can back water up under the tile. A cold-climate clay roof needs a strong underlayment and ice barrier at the eaves for that reason. When a clay tile roof leaks, the underlayment is often the cause, not the tile.
Repairing a clay tile roof
Most clay tile roofs that leak don’t need replacing. They need the right repair.
Cracked or broken tiles are removed and replaced individually. Walking on clay tile is where a lot of damage happens, so any roofer working on yours should know where to step and how to spread their weight.
Slipped tiles are reset and refastened.
Flashing at valleys, walls and chimneys can wear or pull loose long before the tile does, and resealing or replacing it often stops a leak.
Worn underlayment is the bigger job. The tiles in the affected area are carefully lifted and stacked, new underlayment goes down, and the original tiles go back on. Done well, you keep your tile and get a new waterproof layer beneath it.
Matching is the hardest part of clay tile repair. Many clay tiles stay in production for decades, but some older profiles and colors are discontinued. Salvaged tile can sometimes fill the gap. You’ll see what’s available before any work begins. For more on this, see our tile roof repair in Kansas City page.
Thinking about a new clay tile roof?
A new clay roof starts with an engineering question: can your house carry it? If it was built for shingles, it may need extra framing support first. From there, it’s a choice of profile, color and tile grade, plus a well-planned underlayment and flashing system for Kansas City winters. Our tile roof installation in Kansas City page walks through the process.
If you’re deciding between clay and concrete, the short version is that clay usually holds its color longer and absorbs less water, while concrete tile typically costs less. Compare them on our concrete tile roofing in Kansas City page, or start with the Kansas City tile roofing overview.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll get photos of the tile, flashing and any problem areas, a clear answer on repair versus replacement and a written estimate. Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance.
- The work gets done and the site gets cleaned up. The crew cleans up before leaving.
Clay tile questions from Kansas City homeowners
Does clay tile hold up in Kansas City winters?
Yes, if it’s the right tile. Clay rated for severe weathering handles freeze-thaw well. Lower-grade tile made for warmer climates can flake or crack here over time.
Can you replace a few broken clay tiles?
Usually. Individual tiles can be swapped out without disturbing the rest of the roof, provided a matching tile can be found.
My clay roof leaks but no tiles look broken. Why?
The underlayment beneath the tile or the flashing around a chimney, wall or valley is the usual suspect. Both can wear out while the tile still looks perfect.
Can my shingle house be switched to clay tile?
Sometimes. Clay is much heavier than shingles, so the roof framing has to be checked first and may need reinforcing.
Keep the roof that makes your house
Clay tile can outlast many other roofs by a long way, but only if the parts underneath it are kept in shape. A slow leak under tile can soak the deck for a long time before you see it inside.
Have it checked by someone who knows tile, and keep the roof you love for a long time to come. Call 913-398-5020 to book your free inspection, or start your estimate online.
