Your clay tile roof is one of the best-looking things about your house. But lately there’s a cracked tile you can see from the driveway, or a water stain is spreading on a ceiling even though the tiles look fine. You need someone who knows clay tile roofing in Altamonte Springs to tell you what’s actually going on underneath.
Tile roofs can be confusing. The tiles themselves can last for decades, so a leak doesn’t seem to make sense. And the fear is real: you’ve heard tile work is expensive, and you don’t want to pay for a full replacement if the roof can be saved.
APC Roofing repairs and replaces clay and concrete tile roofs across Central Florida. We’re GAF Certified, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured, and your inspection and estimate are free.
Why clay tile roofs leak
Here’s what surprises most tile homeowners: the tiles aren’t the main waterproofing layer. Clay tile sheds most of the rain, but underneath it sits an underlayment that does the real work of keeping water out of the house.
In Central Florida, that underlayment lives a hard life. The tile above it gets very hot in the summer sun, and the heat bakes the underlayment year after year. Eventually it dries out, cracks or loses its seal around fasteners, and water that slips between tiles during a heavy afternoon storm finds its way through.
That’s why a clay tile roof can look nearly perfect from the street and still leak. The tiles may be fine. The layer under them has worn out.
Clay tile roofing in Altamonte Springs weather
Sun and heat. Clay holds its color and shape under Florida sun far better than most roofing materials, which is a big part of why people love it. The underlayment and the foam or mortar that hold some tiles in place are what age.
Afternoon storms and wind-driven rain. Rain blown sideways gets pushed under the edges of tiles. A healthy underlayment handles it. A worn one doesn’t.
Hurricane wind. Florida’s building code requires tiles to be attached with approved methods, such as foam adhesive or mechanical fasteners, rated for wind. Tiles near edges, corners and ridges see the most force. Loose or poorly attached ridge and edge tiles are some of the first to go in a storm.
Falling limbs and hail. Clay is hard but brittle. A heavy branch or a strong hailstorm can crack or break tiles, and a broken tile leaves the underlayment exposed.
Clay vs. concrete tile
Clay tile is fired from natural clay. It keeps its color for a very long time, and many homes around Central Florida have the classic barrel or S-shaped clay tile. Concrete tile looks similar from a distance and is common on Florida homes too. It’s usually heavier and its color can fade more over time.
Both work well in Florida, and both share the same weak point: the underlayment beneath. If you’re not sure which you have, the inspection will tell you. Our concrete tile roofing in Altamonte Springs page covers that material.
Repair, re-lay or replace
Clay tile roofs give you more options than most roofs, and the right one depends on what’s going on underneath.
Spot repair. A few cracked or slipped tiles, a failed ridge cap or a bad piece of flashing can usually be fixed without disturbing the rest of the roof. Broken tiles are replaced and secured. See tile roof repair in Altamonte Springs for more.
Lift and re-lay. If the underlayment has failed but the tiles are in good shape, the tiles can be carefully removed and stacked, new underlayment and flashing installed, and the sound tiles put back. Some tiles always break during removal, so replacements are needed.
Full replacement. If many tiles are broken or the decking underneath is damaged, a new roof may be the better value. That could mean new clay tile or a different material.
Matching old clay tile
Finding replacements that match weathered clay tile can be tricky. Colors and profiles vary by manufacturer and by age. It’s worth talking through how close a match is possible before any work starts, especially on a visible front slope.
Caring for a clay tile roof
- Stay off it. Clay tiles can crack under a person’s weight if stepped on in the wrong spot. Leave roof walks to someone who knows where to step.
- Be careful with pressure washing. High pressure can damage tiles and force water under them. Get advice before cleaning.
- Keep valleys and gutters clear. Leaves and debris in valleys hold water against the underlayment and slow drainage.
- Get it checked after big storms. A cracked tile from a falling limb is a small repair if it’s caught early.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 407-270-1129 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. You’ll see photos of the tiles, flashing and any problem areas, hear whether a repair, a re-lay or a replacement makes sense and get 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. Tile jobs take longer than shingle roofs, and you’ll get a realistic timeline up front.
Clay tile questions from Altamonte Springs homeowners
My tiles look fine, so why is my roof leaking?
The underlayment beneath the tiles has most likely worn out. In Florida heat it often fails well before the clay does.
Can you replace just a few broken tiles?
Yes. Individual cracked or broken tiles can usually be replaced without touching the rest of the roof.
Is clay tile a good choice for a new roof in Altamonte Springs?
It handles sun and heat very well and looks great. It’s heavy, though, so the roof framing has to be able to carry it. If you’re switching from shingles, that needs to be checked first.
Can storm damage to a tile roof go through insurance?
Often. You file the claim with your insurance company and pay your deductible. We document the damage with photos, give you an estimate and work with your adjuster.
Keep the roof you love
A worn underlayment under clay tile doesn’t announce itself. Water slips through a little at a time, softening the deck and staining ceilings until the repair is bigger than it had to be.
Call 407-270-1129 to book your free inspection. You’ll know exactly what your tile roof needs, and you can keep enjoying a beautiful roof that’s dry underneath. For other tile options, see our tile roofing in Altamonte Springs page.
