Tile Roof Replacement in Los Angeles
Tile resets and full clay or concrete tile replacements across Los Angeles County, with permits pulled and a workmanship warranty on our work. Estimates are free.
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- CSLB #1119699 (C-39)
- BBB Accredited, A rating
Tile Roof Underlayment Replacement and Full Tile Reroofs
Tile roof replacement renews the whole roof system under the tile, not just a few broken pieces. On most Los Angeles tile roofs it is one of two jobs: a tile reset, where the tile comes off, new underlayment and flashing go on, and the sound tile goes back down, or a full replacement with new clay or concrete tile.
The photo shows a clay tile roof in San Marino partway through a reset, with part of the roof stripped for new underlayment and the rest still under tile. On that job, the original clay tile went back on over the new layers.
We inspect the roof, lift tiles in several places to check the underlayment and decking, and give you a free written estimate. When both a reset and new tile could work, we price both.
Not allowed by the CRC
Cannot be reinstalled (CRC)
Not required in City of LA
CSLB #1119699 (C-39)
Tile Roof Replacement Options: Reset or New Tile
The deciding question is whether the tile itself is still sound. On most tile roofs the underlayment wears out first, so many replacements reuse the tile. Here is how the two jobs compare:
| Tile reset (lift and relay) | Full replacement with new tile | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Tile is lifted and stacked, new underlayment and flashing go on, and the sound tile is relaid | All tile is removed and hauled away, and new tile goes on over new underlayment and flashing |
| Fits when | The tile is still sound, but the underlayment underneath has failed | Tile is cracked or worn on many slopes, or you want a new color, profile, or material |
| New tile needed | Only for pieces that break or were already cracked | All of it |
| City of LA permit | LADBS express permit item, no plan check | Not on the express list for tile over 6 lb per sq ft |
| City of LA cool roof | Not required for a reset | Required on homes when more than half the roof is replaced |
Permit and cool roof rows apply in the City of Los Angeles (LADBS Information Bulletin P/GI 2026-003 and the city’s cool roof ordinance). Other cities set their own permit process.
The code limits what can go back on. The California Residential Code allows tile to be reinstalled, but not tile that is damaged, cracked, or broken, so every reset includes some new or salvaged pieces. It also rules out laying a new roof over existing tile, so the tile has to come off either way.
Underlayment, Flashing, Decking, and Eaves on a Tile Reroof
With the tile off, every layer underneath can be repaired or replaced:
New underlayment
The old felt comes off down to the deck, and new underlayment goes over the whole roof. On slopes under 4:12, the code calls for two layers. Self-adhered membranes, which seal around nails, are often used in valleys and along the eaves. Our guide to felt, synthetic, and self-adhesive underlayment compares the options.
New flashing
The California Residential Code requires rusted or damaged flashing, edging, and vents to be replaced during a reroof. On a reset, the valley metal, the wall and chimney flashing, the pipe flashings, and the eave metal are usually replaced, since all of it is exposed while the tile is off and none of it is easy to reach once the tile is back.
Decking and battens
Soft, delaminated, or rotted decking is cut out and replaced before the underlayment goes down, and so are rotted battens. We show you photos of any damaged decking before adding it to the job, so you can see why the price changed.
Eaves in fire hazard zones
In the zones covered by California’s Wildland-Urban Interface Code, when 50 percent or more of a roof covering is replaced within 12 months, the new roof has to meet the rules for new construction, including a Class A assembly. At the eaves, the open ends of S-tile and barrel tile must be fire-stopped, or a 72-pound mineral-surfaced cap sheet goes under the tile.
Call (877) 557-7778 any time, or use the form below. Office hours are Sunday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Our Tile Reset Process, From Tear-Off to Final Inspection
A reset handles every tile twice, once coming off and once going back. Our steps:
- Permit and protection. We pull the permit and cover the landscaping, walkways, and windows below the work area.
- Lift and sort the tile. Tile comes off one section at a time. Sound pieces are stacked for reuse, and cracked ones are set aside.
- Strip to the deck. Old underlayment, rotted battens, and worn flashing come off.
- Repair the deck. Damaged decking is replaced, and the deck is checked before it is covered.
- Dry in. New underlayment and flashing go on. When rain is in the forecast, the opened area is kept small enough to cover before the crew leaves.
- Relay the tile. Tile goes back with new fasteners where needed. Matching new or salvaged tile replaces broken pieces, and sound original tile goes on the slopes you see from the street.
- Hips, ridges, and cleanup. Trim tiles are reset, debris is hauled away, and the permit gets the inspector’s final sign-off.
The San Marino roof in the photo above was a clay tile reset of this kind.
Replacing a Clay Tile Roof Versus a Concrete One
Clay and concrete age differently, and that changes the choice between a reset and new tile.
Unglazed clay tile keeps its color because the color comes from the clay itself. When a clay roof leaks, the tile is often worth keeping, and a reset is usually the first option we price. The risk is breakage: older clay can be brittle, and discontinued profiles are hard to find, so we plan for salvaged tile or for moving originals to the street side before work starts.
Concrete tile can lose its surface color and wear over time. When a concrete roof has worn or cracked tile on most slopes, relaying it saves little, and new tile is usually the sounder choice. Concrete tile roof replacement is also the time to consider lightweight concrete tile if the framing is near its limit.
Switching from tile to a lighter roof is a replacement too. The tile has to come off, and the new roof is covered on our metal roof installation and shingle roof installation pages.
Our Reviews
Price a Tile Reset or Full Replacement
Send us your address, photos of the roof and any ceiling stains, and the age of the roof if you know it. We’ll lift tiles, show you the underlayment, and give you a free written estimate for a reset, new tile, or both. Call (877) 557-7778.
Get Your Free Estimate
Please fill out the form below, or call: (877) 557-7778
Please fill out the form below, or call:
(877) 557-7778
Need Roof Repair or Replacement? Get a Free Estimate Today!
Don’t wait until a minor issue turns into a significant expense. At Overhead Roofing CA, we make it easy to get expert service fast with no pressure and no hidden fees. From routine roof maintenance to full tear-offs and installations, our team handles every project with precision, honesty, and care.
We specialize in helping LA homeowners and business owners protect their most valuable assets with dependable roofing solutions that last. Our licensed contractors are standing by, ready to inspect your roof, answer your questions, and provide a clear action plan all at no cost to you.
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Emergency leak response & storm damage repair
Financing options available for every budget
Tile Roof Replacement Questions
What is a tile roof reset?
A tile roof reset, also called a lift and relay, replaces everything under the tile while keeping the tile itself. The crew lifts the tile, removes the old underlayment, repairs the decking, installs new underlayment and flashing, and lays the sound tile back down. Broken pieces are replaced with matching new or salvaged tile. It fits a roof whose tile is in good shape but whose underlayment has worn out.
How do I know if my tile roof needs new underlayment?
Common signs are leaks in more than one place, leaks during long or wind-driven storms with no broken tile above them, and underlayment that is brittle or torn where it shows at the eaves or beneath a slipped tile. During the inspection we lift tiles in several areas and photograph what is underneath, so you can see its condition. One or two cracked tiles alone call for a tile roof repair instead.
Do I need a permit to replace or reset a tile roof?
Yes. In the City of Los Angeles, a reset is an LADBS express permit item, while new tile heavier than 6 pounds per square foot is not on the express list. Other cities set their own process through their building departments, and LA County Public Works issues permits in unincorporated areas. We handle the permit and the inspection scheduling.
How many tiles break during a reset?
It varies with the tile’s age, material, and profile, so we don’t promise a number. Because the code does not allow cracked or broken tile to go back on, the estimate states how many replacement tiles are included, where they will come from, and how any extra pieces are priced. Spare tiles you already have can lower that count.
How much does tile roof replacement cost?
We price it after inspecting the roof. The biggest factor is whether the existing tile goes back on or new tile is bought. Others are the roof’s size and pitch, the underlayment and flashing being replaced, decking repairs, tile breakage, the permit, and fire zone details. Your estimate is free and itemized, and our roof replacement cost guide shows published figures.
Do you replace concrete tile roofs as well as clay?
Yes, we reset and replace both. A reset is common for clay tile that is still sound. Concrete tile roof replacement often makes more sense when the tile surface has worn on most slopes. When new concrete tile goes on, we can match the existing profile or, where the framing is close to its limit, use a lightweight version.
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