Clay Tile Roof Underlayment Replacement in San Juan Capistrano

Clay tile roofs are built to last - but the underlayment underneath them isn't. Most homeowners don't realize that the tiles themselves are really just a first line of defense. The underlayment is what actually keeps water out of your home, and after 20-25 years, it breaks down. When that happens, even a roof that looks fine from the street can be leaking.

That's exactly what we were dealing with on this San Juan Capistrano home. The clay tiles had taken a beating over the years - golf balls, foot traffic, general wear - and the underlayment beneath them was well past its service life. Cracked and broken tiles were scattered across the roof, and the old underlayment was deteriorating badly. Left alone, that's a recipe for serious water intrusion once the rainy season kicks in.

The scope of work here involved carefully pulling up the existing clay tiles, replacing the failed underlayment across the affected sections, swapping out every broken tile, and resealing everything properly. With clay tile work, the process matters a lot. The tiles need to come off and go back on in the right sequence, and every penetration and valley needs to be sealed correctly. Our crew handles this type of work regularly, so nothing gets rushed or cut short.

If your tile roof is 25 years or older, it's worth getting a professional set of eyes on it before the weather changes. Most homeowners wait until there's a visible leak - but by then, there's often damage to the decking, insulation, or interior that could have been avoided. A proper inspection can tell you exactly where things stand and what, if anything, needs to be addressed.