You’ve got a few cracked tiles after a storm, or a stain on the ceiling even though the roof looks fine from the yard. Maybe you’re thinking about a new clay tile roof and want to know what you’re getting into. Clay tile roofing in Orlando can last a very long time, but it’s a specialty, and you want a roofer who knows how to work on it without breaking half the roof in the process.
That concern is fair. Tile roofs get damaged by people who walk on them wrong, and you deserve a straight read on what’s actually wrong before anyone starts pulling pieces off.
APC Roofing is a GAF Certified roofer, licensed in Florida (CCC1337030) and insured. We install and repair clay and concrete tile roofs across Orlando, and inspections and estimates are free. Call 407-270-1129 to set up a visit, or see all our tile roofing services in Orlando.
How a clay tile roof keeps water out
The tiles you see shed most of the rain, but they aren’t the waterproofing. That job belongs to the underlayment, the membrane on the roof deck underneath. In a hard, wind-driven Florida storm, some water always gets under the tiles, and the underlayment carries it down and off the roof.
So one cracked tile usually isn’t a leak by itself. And a roof with every tile intact can still leak if the underlayment has worn out. When water does get past it, it often runs along the deck before it drips, so the ceiling stain can show up well away from the actual opening.
Why clay tile works in Central Florida
Clay is shaped, then fired in a kiln until it’s hard, and the color runs all the way through. That’s why a good clay tile can sit in the Florida sun for decades and barely fade. Concrete tile is a solid choice too, and it’s common on Orlando homes, but its color is often a surface finish that lightens over the years. If you’re weighing the two, our concrete tile roofing page covers that side.
Tile also helps with heat. Many tile profiles sit up off the deck, leaving a gap where air moves and carries some of the sun’s heat away before it reaches the attic. Upstairs rooms tend to stay a bit more comfortable in July.
The trade-off is weight. Tile is several times heavier than shingles. A house built for tile is designed to carry it. If you’re switching from shingles to tile, a structural engineer should check the framing first.
What goes wrong with tile roofs in Orlando
Storm and wind damage
Hurricane season and summer thunderstorms test the edges of a roof most. Wind pulls hardest at the eaves, rakes, hips and ridge, and falling branches can break whole sections. Florida’s building rules call for more hold-down in hurricane country, and repairs need to match the attachment system already on the roof, whether that’s nails, screws, clips or foam adhesive.
Worn-out underlayment
Under a tile roof, the underlayment lives in a hot, closed space for years. It usually wears out long before the tile does, and it’s what decides whether you need a repair or a re-lay.
Broken tiles from foot traffic
A lot of cracked tiles were stepped on by someone working on a dish, a vent or a solar install. Tile can only take weight in certain spots, and a broken tile can look fine from above.
Flashing at walls and chimneys
Where tile meets a wall, there should be a wide metal pan, not a bead of caulk. Sealant cracks within a few seasons and the leak comes right back.
Ridge and hip caps
Older ridge caps are often set in mortar, which cracks with heat and age. You might notice gray crumbs in the gutter or below the ridge line.
Signs your clay tile roof needs a look
- A tile hanging crooked or slipped out of line
- A gap where a tile is missing
- Pieces of tile in the yard or flower beds
- Gray crumbs collecting below the ridge
- A ceiling stain, sometimes far from where you’d expect
- The bottom row sagging at the gutter line
Please don’t climb up to check. Walking on tile is how a lot of tile gets broken.
Repair or re-lay: what decides it
If the underlayment is sound and a few tiles are broken, the fix is a repair. Matching tiles go in, and the rest of the roof stays as it is. Our tile roof repair page covers that work in more detail.
If the underlayment has worn out, a re-lay makes sense. The crew lifts the tiles and stacks them, replaces any soft decking, puts down new underlayment and sets your tile back in place. From the street, the house looks the same, but the waterproofing underneath starts fresh. Some tiles always break in handling, and if your profile isn’t made anymore, reclaimed tile or a close match fills in. We’ll tell you up front if the color might differ a little.
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. Every slope gets walked, the valleys, ridge and wall flashing get a close look, and a few tiles come up where the underlayment needs checking. You’ll see photos and a written report. If a repair will do, that’s what you’ll hear.
- Get the work done and the site cleaned up. The crew finishes the job and clears the broken tile and debris before leaving.
Financing is available through Aqua Finance, Fortifi, Hearth and Home Run Finance. If a storm caused the damage, we’ll document it, provide the estimate and work with your adjuster. You file your own claim and pay your own deductible. Our hurricane damage roof repair page explains that process.
Clay tile roofing questions from Orlando homeowners
How long does a clay tile roof last?
Good clay tile can last for generations. The underlayment beneath it ages much faster and usually sets the timing for a re-lay.
Does one cracked tile mean my roof is leaking?
Not always. The underlayment underneath does the waterproofing. A cracked tile should still be replaced, since it leaves that layer exposed to sun and rain.
Can my house handle a clay tile roof?
A house built for tile can. If you’re switching from shingles, have a structural engineer check the framing first.
Do you install new tile roofs in Orlando or only repair them?
Both. We repair, re-lay and install clay and concrete tile roofs.
A tile roof you can count on
A worn spot under a tile roof doesn’t stay small. Once the underlayment fails, water reaches the decking, and the repair grows from a few tiles to new wood and drywall. You don’t have to decide anything today. It just helps to know where you stand.
The next storm rolls through, the tile stays put and the ceiling stays dry. That’s what you’re after: a sound roof, no surprise bill and the confidence you made the right call. Call 407-270-1129 to book your free inspection, or start with our free online estimate.
