We’re Austin Roofing Company & Water Damage, known as WDR. We’ve been repairing tile roofs across the Austin metro since 2012, drawing on 25+ years of combined roofing experience across the team. We’ve earned GAF Master Elite® certification (top 2% of GAF contractors nationwide), BBB A+ accreditation, and 1,510+ five-star Google reviews, the largest count of any Austin roofing contractor. Our crews are W-2 employees, not day-labor subcontractors, and we’re fully insured with general liability plus workers’ comp. We’ve operated from the same 9711 Beck Cir address in Austin since day one.
This page covers the specific types of tile roof damage we repair, why professional tile repair matters (safety, matching, warranty, insurance), our repair process from inspection through warranty documentation, the tile-matching challenges that come with any repair on an aged roof, the different tile materials we work with and how each affects repair approach, the critical underlayment issue that most tile-roof homeowners don’t know about, insurance claim handling for tile repair, and what sets our approach apart on tile work.
Broken or cracked individual tiles
Tiles crack from impact (falling tree limbs, hail, foot traffic during other roof work), from freeze-thaw cycles on tiles with pre-existing hairline cracks, or from stress at fastening points. Individual tile replacement is the classic tile repair: unhook the broken tile from the batten, replace with a matching tile, re-secure. Scope is limited to the affected tiles unless the impact revealed underlying issues.
Slipped or dislodged tiles from wind events
Austin’s high-wind events can dislodge tiles that were improperly fastened or where fasteners have failed with age. Dislodged tiles usually don’t break; they slip down the roof face and lodge in the gutter or ground. Repair scope depends on how many tiles slipped and whether the fastening issue is isolated or part of a broader pattern that needs preventive re-fastening.
Hail damage to specific tile materials
Clay tiles handle hail well because of their density; large hail can still crack them, but they don’t bruise as asphalt shingles do. Concrete tiles vary: cheaper concrete tiles can crack from moderate hail, while higher-grade concrete tiles resist. Slate tiles are extremely hail-resistant, but they’re very expensive to replace when damaged. Insurance handles tile hail damage similarly to shingle damage, though it’s more complex to negotiate, and scope negotiation is more complex because tile costs vary widely by product.
Flashing failure at tile penetrations
Flashing at chimneys, sidewalls, valleys, and pipe penetrations fails the same way on tile roofs as on shingle roofs: sealants degrade, metal fasteners loosen, corrosion appears. Flashing repair on tile is more labor-intensive than on shingle because tiles must be carefully lifted around the flashing area, and re-integration requires proper tile-to-flashing seals that many general roofers get wrong.
Underlayment failure beneath still-intact tiles
This is the most misunderstood tile roof issue. Tiles themselves last 50 to 100+ years, but the felt or synthetic underlayment beneath the tiles typically lasts only 20 to 30 years. When the underlayment fails, water normally penetrates the tile layer and then leaks through the failed underlayment into the deck and interior. From the ground, the roof looks perfectly intact. Repair requires lifting tiles across the affected area, replacing underlayment, and reinstalling the same tiles on new underlayment. This is a major repair scope that most homeowners don’t anticipate.
Cracked or improperly installed ridge tiles
Ridge tiles cap the peak of the roof and are frequently the first tiles to show problems. Original installation methods (mortar-bedded, dry-fixed with mechanical clips, or hybrid) determine how they fail and what repair looks like. Modern dry-fix systems are easier to repair than mortar-bedded systems, but older Austin homes typically have mortar-bedded ridges that require more skilled repair.
Why Professional Tile Roof Repair Matters
Tile repair is genuinely harder than shingle repair, and doing it wrong is usually more expensive. Here’s why professional repair produces better outcomes on tile.
Tiles are heavy and fragile in specific directions. A concrete tile weighs 8 to 12 pounds; clay tiles are similar. Walking on tiles incorrectly cracks them, sometimes several at a time. Professional crews know which points of each tile bear weight without damage and which don’t. DIY tile work often produces more broken tiles than existed before the repair started.
Tile matching is significantly harder than shingle matching. Tile manufacturers produce specific product lines in specific batches; the same manufacturer’s product from a different batch may have slightly different color, texture, or dimensions. Older tile installations often use products that are no longer in production. Professional roofers know how to source matching product from distributors specializing in aged stock, when to accept close-match alternatives, and when to use the source-and-swap approach (pulling tiles from a less-visible section for the visible repair, installing fresh tiles in the hidden location).
Underlayment work is the hidden variable. What starts as a tile-only repair sometimes reveals underlayment failure beneath the affected area, especially on roofs 20+ years old. Professional inspection catches this before scope creep during the job; DIY approaches typically miss it and leave the underlying problem for a future repair.
Safety concerns are real. Tile roofs are steeper than shingle roofs on average (tile requires a minimum pitch of 4:12; most tile installations are 6:12 or steeper), and the tiles themselves are slippery when wet or covered with algae. Falls from tile roofs are more common than from shingle roofs, and the consequences are often worse due to the height.
Warranty protection depends on professional installation. Most tile manufacturer warranties require professional installation for coverage. DIY repairs usually void the warranty on the repaired tiles and sometimes on adjacent tiles, depending on how the repair was done.
Our Tile Roof Repair Process
Every tile repair we do follows the same underlying process, scaled to project size and complexity. Our tile roofing solutions page covers the tile products and systems we work with in more depth.
Step 1: Inspection and diagnosis
We’ll visit your property and do a full rooftop inspection focused on the reported damage area, plus the overall tile and underlayment condition, and document our findings with photos. Tile inspections take longer than shingle inspections because we walk the roof carefully to check individual tile condition and look for underlayment signs (staining below tiles, sagging spots, evidence of prior water infiltration). Inspections are free.
Step 2: Written estimate
You receive a written itemized estimate within 48 hours. The estimate lists specific tiles or components we’ll replace, plus materials (manufacturer and product line for matching), labor scope, timeline, and warranty terms. For tile work, estimates typically include contingency language for underlayment issues that may be discovered during the work.
Step 3: Material sourcing
Once approved, we source matching tiles. Current-production tiles arrive quickly (days). Discontinued or specialty tiles may take longer (weeks) as we work with distributors specializing in aged tile stock. On projects where sourcing timeline is critical, we’ll discuss alternative approaches at the estimate stage.
Step 4: Repair work
Most targeted tile repairs finish in a single day on-site. Section repairs involving underlayment take 2 to 5 days depending on scope. The crew carefully removes damaged tiles, inspects and repairs any underlayment issues found, installs replacement tiles with proper fastening, and integrates with surrounding tiles for a weathertight seal.
Step 5: Warranty and documentation
All workmanship carries our 5-year warranty. Materials carry the manufacturer’s warranty. We’ll provide photo documentation of the completed work and warranty paperwork. If the repair was insurance-related, we’ll provide the completion documentation your carrier needs.
Tile Matching, The Repair Challenge
Matching tiles for repair is the main quality variable that distinguishes good tile repair work from mediocre tile repair work. Here’s how matching works in practice.
Current-production tiles from major manufacturers match well when your existing roof is under 5 to 10 years old. The same tile product from a different batch may have subtle color or texture variations, but these are typically not noticeable from ground level.
Discontinued tiles present a bigger challenge. Manufacturers regularly update product lines, and tiles installed 15+ years ago may no longer be in production. Options for repair on discontinued tiles: source close-match alternatives (accepting slight variation), source authentic-match material from distributors specializing in aged tile stock (more expensive, slower), or use replacement material from a less-visible section of your existing roof (source-and-swap).
For homeowners with tile roofs, we recommend keeping a small inventory of spare tiles from the original installation. Even a dozen spare tiles matching your exact product line makes future repair significantly easier and cheaper. If you don’t have spares and are getting any tile work done, ask the contractor to leave a reasonable inventory of matching tiles for future use.
For visible sections where matching matters, we typically recommend the source-and-swap approach: pull tiles from a rear-facing slope for the visible repair, install alternative tiles on the rear where color mismatch is less noticeable. This preserves curb appeal.
Tile Repair by Material Type
Different tile materials repair differently. Here’s how each type affects the repair picture.
Clay tile repair
Clay tiles are the traditional Spanish-style barrel tile common on older Austin homes and higher-end recent construction. Individual clay tiles are relatively easy to replace when matching products are available, though clay tile sourcing gets harder with age. Clay is fragile in specific stress directions and requires careful handling during any surrounding work. Clay tile repair costs more per tile than concrete tile repair.
Concrete tile repair
Concrete tiles are the most common tile material on Austin residential roofs installed from the 1990s to present. They’re heavier than clay, more consistent in dimension (which makes matching easier), and more affordable to replace. Quality varies significantly by manufacturer and grade: premium concrete tiles rival clay for lifespan, budget concrete tiles show wear faster and are more likely to crack from moderate impact.
Slate tile repair
Real slate tile is rare on Austin residential roofs (most ‘slate-look’ installations use synthetic slate or specialty concrete tiles). When real slate is present, repair requires slate-specific tools and technique. Sourcing matching slate is expensive and slow. Slate itself lasts 100+ years, but the copper or stainless fasteners typically fail sooner and require replacement.
Synthetic composite tile repair
Synthetic composite tiles (recycled rubber, plastic, or engineered composite) are increasingly common on newer construction because they weigh less than natural tile and cost less to install. Repair is easier than natural tile because the product is still in production and matching is straightforward. Composite tiles hold up well to hail and impact.
The Underlayment Issue Most Tile Homeowners Don’t Know About
This section is worth reading even if your roof isn’t showing problems today, because underlayment failure is the single biggest surprise in tile roof ownership. The situation is straightforward but counterintuitive: your tiles will last 50+ years, but the underlayment beneath them typically lasts only 20 to 30 years. When the underlayment fails, water normally penetrates the tile layer and then leaks through the failed underlayment into the deck and interior. From ground level, the roof looks intact. From above, individual tiles look intact. The failure is invisible until leaks appear inside the house. This is one scenario where our insurance claim assistance comes in handy, because insurance treatment of underlayment failure varies significantly by carrier and policy language.
Hail Damage on Tile Roofs, Specific Considerations
Tile roofs handle hail storms better than asphalt shingles on average, but they’re not immune. Here are the tile-specific considerations for hail damage.
Impact resistance varies significantly by tile material and grade. Clay tiles generally resist hail well because of their density; large hail can crack them, but they don’t bruise like asphalt shingles. High-grade concrete tiles perform similarly. Budget concrete tiles can crack from moderate hail. Slate is extremely hail-resistant. Synthetic composite tiles are the most hail-resistant option in most product lines.
Damage patterns on tile differ from shingle damage. On tiles, hail damage shows as visible cracks or chips (whole-tile damage), not the bruising pattern typical of asphalt. Documentation focuses on the specific tiles that broke or cracked, not on shingle-mat bruising that insurance adjusters look for on asphalt claims.
Coverage negotiations often involve grade matching, so it’s worth pushing back. If your roof has premium concrete tile and the adjuster’s initial scope proposes budget replacement tile, that’s worth negotiating.
What Sets WDR Apart on Tile Roof Work
What makes our tile repair work different comes down to who’s doing the work and how we approach the diagnosis. We’ve operated from the same 9711 Beck Cir address in Austin since 2012, drawing on 25+ years of combined roofing experience across the team.
Tile-specific experience across the crew. Tile work requires different skills, equipment, and technique than shingle work. We’ve got installers with meaningful tile-specific experience, not general roofers moonlighting on tile projects.
W-2 crews, not day-labor subcontractors. On tile work specifically, this matters because tile crews build years of knowledge about specific tile products, common failure patterns, and matching sources. Rotating subcontractor crews don’t accumulate this knowledge.
GAF Master Elite® certification. While GAF is primarily known for asphalt shingles, the training and quality standards required to hold Master Elite status transfer to how we approach any roofing work, including tile.
1,510+ five-star Google reviews. Consistent workmanship over a long period, including tile projects among the many roof types we handle.
BBB A+ accreditation, maintained continuously since our founding. Documented record of resolving customer concerns properly.
Fully insured with general liability and workers’ comp. Certificate of insurance is available before contract signing.