Proper Tile Underlayment

With their hardiness and old world appeal, clay tile roofs bring a historic character to the home; however, after 60-100 years, leaks often become evident.

Many tile themselves are not completely water tight. They depend on an underlayment that rests between the clay tile on top and the wooden deck below, said Mark Sherby, a quality control expert for The Durable Slate Company.

Typically, it’s the asphalt-based underlayment that begins to deteriorate, which leads to leaks.

1. Pull up the tile in the leaking section
2. Remove the deteriorating underlayment
3. Install a flexible, fiberglass-reinforced membrane (typically a self-adhering rubberized sheet)
4. Remove existing flashings and install new flashings (usually with copper). Typical flashing replacements include valleys, wall flashings, chimney flashings and vent pipes.
5. Reinstall existing tile and/or replace damaged tiles

NOTE: Durable Slate has one of the largest inventories of reclaimed clay tiles in the country. This is important so that we can match the existing, historic tiles already on the roof.