You chose a tile roof, or bought a house that came with one, because it looks great and it’s built to last. Now there’s a cracked tile near the eave, a couple that have slid out of line, or a stain on the ceiling that doesn’t make sense on a roof that’s supposed to outlive the house. Finding someone who actually knows tile roofing in Lee’s Summit isn’t easy, since most roofers here spend their days on asphalt shingles.
You deserve a roofer who knows how tile works before anyone climbs up and starts walking on it.
APC Roofing repairs and installs clay and concrete tile roofs. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, in business since 2017, and your inspection is free. Call 913-398-5020 and tell us what you’ve noticed.
How a tile roof keeps water out
Here’s the part most homeowners don’t hear: the tiles aren’t the main waterproofing layer. They shed most of the rain and protect what’s underneath from sun, hail and wind. The real water barrier is the underlayment below them, along with the flashing at valleys, walls and chimneys.
That matters because the tiles and the underlayment wear out on very different schedules. Clay and concrete tile can last for decades. The underlayment beneath them often gives out first. So a tile roof can look nearly perfect from the street and still leak, and the fix is sometimes underneath the tile rather than the tile itself.
Tile roofing and Lee’s Summit weather
Tile is more common in warm, dry climates than in the Kansas City area, and our weather asks some specific things of it.
Freeze-thaw. Tile absorbs a little water. When that water freezes in the tile and thaws again, over and over through a Missouri winter, it can cause flaking and cracks. Clay tile made for freezing climates holds up much better here, and concrete tile needs a good finish and proper installation to resist the same wear. If you’re choosing new tile, make sure the product is rated for a freeze-thaw climate.
Hail. A direct hit from large hail can crack tile, especially older or thinner pieces. Some cracks are obvious. Others are hairline breaks you won’t see without getting close.
Snow and ice. Ice can build up along the eaves when snow melts higher on the roof and refreezes at the edge. A waterproof membrane along the eaves and in the valleys helps keep that water from getting under the tile.
Summer heat. Tile handles heat well and the air space under the tiles helps keep the roof deck cooler. Leaves and debris packed into that space can cut down on airflow and trap moisture, so keeping valleys and gutters clear helps.
Clay vs. concrete tile
Both are heavy, durable and fire resistant. The differences come down to looks, weight and how they age.
Clay tile holds its color well because the color is fired into the material, and it comes in the classic barrel shapes along with flatter profiles. It tends to cost more.
Concrete tile is usually heavier and gives you a wide range of shapes and colors, including profiles made to look like slate or wood shakes. The surface color can fade over time, and concrete absorbs more water than most clay tile, which matters in a freeze-thaw climate.
We’ll walk you through both and help you pick what makes sense for your house and budget.
Can your house hold a tile roof?
If you’re switching from asphalt shingles to tile, this is the first question to answer. Tile weighs several times more than shingles, and not every roof frame was built to carry it. Before any tile goes on, the framing needs to be checked, and sometimes it needs reinforcement. Planning that up front avoids an expensive surprise halfway through the job. Our page on tile roof installation in Lee’s Summit covers how a new tile roof goes on, step by step.
Common tile roof problems
Most tile roof problems in the Kansas City area come back to a handful of causes:
- Cracked or broken tiles from hail, falling limbs or someone walking on the roof the wrong way
- Tiles that have slipped because a fastener failed or the tile above broke
- Worn underlayment, especially on older roofs
- Leaks at valleys, chimneys and walls where flashing has failed
- Mortar at the ridge or hips that has cracked and let water in
Tile breaks easily under a misplaced foot, so whoever works on your roof needs to know where to step and how to lift and reset tiles without cracking their neighbors. Finding a matching replacement tile can also take some work if your profile or color is no longer made. A spare tile left over from the original install is worth keeping if you have one.
Repair, re-lay or replace?
There are really three options with tile.
A repair replaces broken or slipped tiles and fixes the flashing or mortar around them. This makes sense when the underlayment is still in good shape.
A re-lay means carefully lifting the tiles, replacing the worn underlayment and flashing, then putting the same tiles back down with new ones mixed in where needed. When the tile itself is still sound, this can save you from paying for all-new tile.
A full replacement makes sense when the tile is failing across the roof or you want a different material. If you’re leaning that way, our roof replacement in Lee’s Summit page explains how that process works.
You’ll see photos of what we find, and the recommendation comes with the reasons behind it.
How it works
- Book your free inspection. Call 913-398-5020 or request a free estimate online.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We check the tile, flashing, ridge and attic, and lift a few tiles where we need to see the underlayment. You get photos and a written estimate.
- The work gets done and the site gets cleaned up. Broken tile and debris leave with the crew.
Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance if you’d like to spread out the cost.
A cracked tile doesn’t seem like much, but it lets water reach underlayment that may already be worn. A season of freeze-thaw can turn that small opening into wet decking and a ceiling repair.
Tile roofing questions from Lee’s Summit homeowners
Is tile a good choice for Lee’s Summit winters?
It can be, with the right product and installation. Choose tile rated for freeze-thaw climates and make sure the eaves and valleys get a waterproof membrane underneath.
Can you replace just one broken tile?
Usually, yes. The broken piece comes out and a matching tile goes in. If your exact tile isn’t made anymore, we’ll look for the closest match and show it to you first.
Why is my tile roof leaking if the tiles look fine?
The leak is often coming from worn underlayment or failed flashing underneath. The tiles shed most of the water, but they aren’t what makes the roof watertight.
Can I walk on my tile roof?
It’s best not to. Tile cracks easily underfoot, and a fall from a tile roof is dangerous. Look from the ground or from a window, and leave the walking to a roofer.
Book your free tile roof inspection
Your tile roof should keep doing its job for a long time. Call 913-398-5020 or request your free estimate online, and we’ll come take a look. You can also see the rest of our work on the Lee’s Summit roofing contractor page.
When it’s done, your tile is tight, the underlayment beneath it is sound, and you can stop wondering about that stain on the ceiling.
