Most broken tile in Los Angeles is broken by people walking on it, not by weather.
At a glance
- Step low on the tile and only where it is supported.
- Keep a small stack of matching tile in the garage.
- Never pressure wash a tile roof.
- Have valleys cleared before every rainy season.
Who walks up there
Antenna installers, solar crews, painters, pest control and air conditioning techs all end up on the roof. Any one of them can crack a dozen tiles in an afternoon and never mention it.
When a trade goes up, ask them to walk the route your roofer uses and look at the roof afterward.
Keep spares
Tile profiles get discontinued. Ten or twenty spare pieces in the side yard turn a future repair from a hunt into an hour of work.
When a roof is relaid, ask the crew to leave the good leftovers behind rather than hauling them off.
Cleaning without damage
Pressure washing strips the surface of concrete tile and drives water under the field. A soft wash with low pressure and the right cleaner does the job on moss and stains.
On the north side of a house, moss comes back. That is normal and not a sign the roof is failing.
What to watch for
Tiles out of line, a ridge with loose mortar, a valley packed with leaves, and stains on the interior walls after a long rain. Any of those is worth a look before the next storm.
A tile roof rarely fails all at once. It gives warning for a year or two first.
Common questions
How much does it cost to replace a few tiles
A small tile repair in Los Angeles usually runs 350 to 900 dollars including the trip.
Is moss on tile a problem
It holds moisture against the tile. It is worth cleaning, gently, every few years.
Can I paint concrete tile
It can be coated with the right product, and a bad paint job traps water and peels.