Tile Roof Leak Repair by Leak Source
Leaks from worn-out underlayment
Tile sheds most of the rain, but Florida's code treats the underlayment as the layer that works with the tile to keep water out. When felt dries out and cracks, water can get in well away from any tile you can see is damaged. A patch can buy time over a small area. If the underlayment is failing across a slope, replacing the underlayment is the fix that lasts.
Valley leaks
Two slopes dump their water into one channel, and HomeGuide names debris in valleys as one of the common causes of tile leaks: leaves and palm litter dam the channel and push water sideways under the tile. Clearing it is cheap; rusted or undersized valley metal is the bigger job, covered on tile roof valley repair.
- Valley leak repair: about $300 to $1,500.
Leaks at walls, pipes and vents
Anywhere a pipe or vent comes through the tile, or the tile meets a wall, the seal depends on metal flashing and boots rather than the tile. A cracked pipe boot or loose wall flashing lets water run behind the tile. The fixes for each are on tile roof flashing repair.
- Cracked pipe boot: about $250 to $600, higher for some boot materials and steep roofs.
- Leaking roof vent: about $100 to $500.
Ridge and hip leaks
Cracked ridge mortar looks alarming, and the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance says Florida's humidity, UV and heat make mortar prone to cracking. Water getting in at a ridge, though, still has the underlayment under it, which is why the TRI says sealing hips and ridges matters less on roofs with full underlayment. So if a ridge leaks, ask for the underlayment under it to be checked, not only the mortar. Resetting or rebuilding the caps is covered on tile roof ridge cap repair.
Tracing the leak from the attic
Water runs along the deck and rafters before it drips, so the ceiling stain is a starting point, not the hole. Tracing goes up through the attic to the wettest spot on the deck, then out to the tiles above it. HomeGuide notes that the hours spent locating a leak add to the bill. A full roof inspection is the other way in; see tile roof inspection for what one includes.
Why Pompano Beach homeowners call Pompano Tile Roofing
- Free to call, free to request a quote
- One independent local tile roofer per request, not a bidding list
- Ask for tear-off, underlayment, deck repair and permit on one written price
- Your details go only to the roofer handling your request
Why Tile Roof Leaks Cost More to Fix Than They Look
HomeGuide says tile repairs usually cost more than repairs on other roofs: the tile itself is pricier, it has to be lifted and stacked to reach the problem, and more pieces can break along the way. Labor makes up most of the bill. The longer water runs, the more it reaches: wet decking at $2 to $5 a square foot to replace, then drywall, insulation and possibly mold.
If water is coming in right now, a tarp or temporary patch comes first; emergency tile roof repair covers that step.
What to Tell the Roofer About a Leak
Where it shows
The room, how far from the outside wall, and whether it's the ceiling or the top of a wall.When it shows
Every rain, only in wind-driven storms, or only after hours of rain.Photos
The stain, the attic if you can reach it safely, and any tile you can see from the ground.Roof history
Its approximate age, earlier repairs, and recent work by an AC, solar or satellite installer.What you want back
Ask for photos of what was found under the tile and what was replaced.
Calling Pompano Tile Roofing is free, and your leak details go straight to the roofer. See tile roof repair for cracked, slipped and broken tiles that haven't started leaking yet.