Roof types
Tile roofs
Concrete and clay tile can last for decades, but the tile is not the waterproof layer. The underlayment beneath it is, and that underlayment often reaches the end of its life long before the tile does. Many tile roof leaks in Central Florida are underlayment or flashing problems, not tile problems.
Tile roof services
- Cracked, broken and slipped tile replaced
- Leak tracing under tile, at valleys, walls and penetrations
- Underlayment replacement: lift the tile, replace the underlayment, re-lay sound tile
- Hip and ridge repairs
- Full tile reroofs to current code
Why tile roofs leak
A tile roof sheds most water at the tile surface, and the underlayment handles what gets past. After 20 to 30 years of Florida heat, that underlayment can turn brittle and start letting water through, even when the tile looks fine from the street.
Tile also breaks when it is walked on the wrong way, which is why satellite installs, pressure washing and other trades on the roof often leave cracked tile behind. If someone has been on your roof recently and a leak started, mention it when you call.
Tile roof questions
Can you reuse my existing tile?
Sometimes. If the tiles are sound and replacements are available for breakage, lifting the tile, replacing the underlayment and re-laying it can make sense. Older or discontinued tile profiles make that harder. We assess it during the inspection.
Can you find matching tile for a repair?
Common concrete tile profiles are often still available. Older or discontinued profiles and colors can be hard to match exactly; salvaged tile from a less visible slope is one option.
Should I walk on my tile roof?
No. Tile cracks easily underfoot unless you know where to step, and a cracked tile lets water reach the underlayment. Leave it to a roofer.
How long does a roof last in Central Florida?
Heat, sun and storms shorten roof life here compared with milder climates. As a rough guide, asphalt shingle roofs often last around 15 to 20 years; concrete and clay tile lasts much longer, though the underlayment beneath the tile often needs replacing around the 20 to 30 year mark; and metal roofs commonly last 40 years or more. Ventilation, installation quality and storm exposure move those numbers a lot.
Talk to a roofer who works here
Call Roof It at (321) 352-3177 for a free estimate on a repair, a reroof or a new roof in Longwood and nearby Seminole County. You get a straight answer about what the roof needs, and a written proposal before any work starts.