How much does it cost to repair tile roof?

Tile roofing, particularly clay tile roofing is expected to last a lifetime. However, there are cases where the roof does need to be repaired due to leaks caused by slipping or broken tiles, or a worn out underlayment. Failure of metal flashing and fasteners may also be a cause of roof leaks. The good news is that in some cases, you only need to re-roof the affected area, rather than the entire roof. Depending on the type and extent of damage, it may cost between $450 to $8000 for repairs.

Cost breakdown

Some scenarios of roof damages and its average costs and materials associated with this project include the following. Do note that 1 roofing square is equivalent to 100 sq.ft.

• Worn out underlayment ¹ can also be a cause of roof leaks. To replace the underlayment ¹, you will need to remove and replace the tiles on your whole roof. Underlayment ¹ costs approximately $61 per square excluding labor. If your roof area is approximately 1500 sq.ft., it will cost approximately $5400 to $7660 including labor to do this repair.
• Sagging roofs may be caused by too much weight or insufficient support. You may need a structural engineer ($18 to $42 per hour) to look into this problem and provide a recommendation. It is quite likely that you require a stronger support frame for the weight of the tiles. It costs between $11 to $22 per sq.ft. for labor and materials for roof framing.
• Should the roof require tile replacement due to broken or damaged tiles, the cost varies according to its materials. This should be done by a professional to avoid breaking more tiles during the repair. The following are the cost of the more commonly used materials in tile roof, uninstalled:
  • Clay: $250 to $500 per square.
  • Standard concrete: $150 to $250 per square.
  • Lightweight concrete: $350 to $500 per square.
  • Steel and aluminum: $100 to $260 per square.
• The metal flashing ² on the roof serves as a seal for the edges of the roof. If this flashing ³ is rusted or damaged, lehighvalleyroofing.com estimates approximately $300 for the repair.
• Labor: According to lyonsroofing.com, the average cost for the removal and replacement of tiles ranges from $300 to $450 per square. This is excluding the use of new tiles and applies to all materials including clay, concrete, aluminum or steel. Alternatively, roofers may charge between $45 and $75 per hour.

Enhancement and improvement costs

• There may be cases where roof leaks may not be caused by the roof at all. It may be caused by the improper installation, or damaged skylight. Repairing a leaking skylight can cost around $300 to $500.
• In areas where you are susceptible to snow, may experience icicles forming at the edges of the roof. This is caused by the heat in the house thawing the ice on the roof, causing the water to stream down to the edges where they refreeze due to the lack of heat. Tom Silva, from "This Old House" suggests keeping the attic cold to avoid ice dams from forming. Alternatively, the installation of rigid foam, at approximately 50 cents per sq.ft. for each in of thickness can also solve this problem.
• A great option for preventing future leaks is to apply roof sealant. This typically costs $850-$1000 for a standard roof.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

² Metal flashing: A thin sheet of metal used around the edges and junctions of the roofing material,such as around a chimney or vent, to prevent water from entering the structure through those joints

³ Flashing: Pieces of sheet metal used on roofs to cover joints, such as where the roof meets the wall, or around a chimney or skylight, to protect them and prevent water leaking through