Underlayment check
Tiles are lifted at key spots to see the underlayment which tells you how much life the roof has left.
Tile Roofing
Tile Roof Inspection South Orange, NJ
A roofer in South Orange can inspect a clay or concrete tile roof without breaking it, lifting a few tiles to judge the underlayment and reporting what needs repair and how much life is left. Dial (973) 858-1859 to set up a tile roof inspection with a local roofer.
A tile roof inspection has to look past the tile. The tiles can last for generations, but the underlayment under them often wears out in a few decades, so a good inspection checks both. That is why a tile inspection includes lifting a few tiles at key spots, not just walking the surface.
The inspection itself should not damage the roof. Careful foot placement, soft-soled shoes and a drone for the rest of the roof keep an inspection from creating new damage. If an inspector does crack a tile, it should be noted and replaced.
People call for tile inspections before a home purchase, after a big storm, when a stain appears or simply because the roof is getting older. After a storm, the inspection documents damage you can share with your insurance adjuster, who makes the call on any claim.
Many tile roof inspection calls in South Orange also turn up a need for tile roof repair or roof inspection.
Dealing with this in South Orange, NJ right now? Call (973) 858-1859 and describe the problem to a roofer who works in South Orange.
Call nowThe process
The tile roof inspection process
A thorough tile roof inspection covers the surface, the layers beneath and the attic.
Start in the attic
The inspector looks at the underside of the deck for stains, daylight, soft sheathing and rusted nail tips, which point to where water is getting through. Ventilation and insulation are noted too, since heat buildup ages the underlayment faster.
Survey the surface
The inspector notes every broken, slipped or missing tile, plus any old repairs made with roof cement. Concrete tile is checked for surface erosion and porosity, and clay for spalling or flaking.
Lift a few tiles
Lifting tiles where leaks usually start lets the inspector see the condition of the underlayment and the fasteners. Brittle underlayment that cracks when bent is the clearest sign a relay is coming.
Inspect the valleys
The inspector looks at valley metal, sidewall flashing and the flashings around vents and skylights. Ridge and hip caps are checked for loose mortar or missing fasteners, and bird stops at the eaves for gaps.
Explain the findings
The report lists what was found slope by slope, with camera images or drone footage, ranks repairs by urgency and estimates how much life the underlayment has left. That makes it easy to plan repairs, negotiate a home sale or talk with an adjuster.
What is included
Inside a tile roof inspection
Valley inspection
Valley metal and every flashing are checked along with any old patching.
Written report
The attic is checked for stains, rot and ventilation with an estimate of remaining life.
Ridge inspection
Ridge and hip caps are checked for loose mortar for gaps that let in water or pests.
Tile condition
Each slope is checked for broken and displaced tile and located for repair.
Related service
Tile Roof Maintenance South Orange, NJ
Regular tile roof maintenance stretches the life of the underlayment, which is the part that actually wears out. Debris in valleys and gutters backs water up under the tile, so keeping those clear matters most. Broken tiles should be replaced promptly, since each gap lets sun and water reach the underlayment.
For tile roof maintenance in South Orange, a roofer can clear valleys, replace broken tiles, reset slipped ones, check ridge mortar and look at the flashing in a single visit. Pressure washing tile does more harm than good, so moss is handled with a low pressure cleaning treatment instead. Trimming overhanging branches also cuts down on debris and impact damage.
Local help
Tile Roof Inspection Near Me
Around South Orange, tile roofs often look better than they are, since the tile outlasts the layers beneath it. For homes in South Orange and nearby towns like Vauxhall, East Orange, Union and Short Hills, an inspection is especially useful before a sale and after storms that bring hail or falling limbs, and a check every few years keeps repairs small.
Searching for tile roof inspection near me from South Orange or Vauxhall, East Orange, Union and Short Hills? Call (973) 858-1859 to talk to a roofer who works in your part of town.
Roofs in this climate
Winters here are long and cold, with snow on the roof for weeks at a time and plenty of nights below freezing. Heat escaping from the attic melts snow on the upper roof, and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, which is how ice dams form and back water up under the shingles. Coastal storms and heavy spring rain drive water sideways into flashing, valleys and old chimneys. Most homeowners in South Orange, NJ have the roof checked in the fall and again after the snow melts.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small roof problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Roofers in South Orange know the roof types and weather wear common in local homes.
Know what happens next
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Tile Roof Inspection questions
Should I get a tile roof inspection before buying a house?
A general home inspection may not include walking a tile roof or lifting tiles, so a roof-specific inspection fills that gap. Knowing the underlayment condition before closing tells you whether a relay is coming soon. Call (973) 858-1859 to reach a roofer who inspects tile.
Will the inspector break my tiles?
A careful inspector knows where tile can take weight and steps only on the lower overlapped part of each tile. Even so, an occasional tile can crack, and any damage should be noted and replaced.
What will the inspection report tell me?
Expect a slope-by-slope summary of tile damage, flashing issues and underlayment condition. It ranks repairs by urgency and gives an estimate of how many years the roof has before a relay.
Is a drone inspection enough for a tile roof?
Drone footage is great for seeing broken and slipped tiles across every slope without walking on them. It cannot show the condition of the underlayment, which takes lifting tiles by hand.
How often should a tile roof be inspected?
A check every two to three years works for most homes, with extra checks after hail or high wind. Roofs past twenty years old deserve closer attention, since that is when the underlayment starts to wear. Always inspect before buying a home with a tile roof.
More questions? Call (973) 858-1859
Often needed together
Tile Roof Repair
Repairs for broken tiles, worn underlayment and leaking flashing on clay and concrete tile roofs, matched to the profile and color already on the roof.
Learn moreRoof Inspection
A close look at the roof surface and the attic to find problems before they leak, so repairs can be planned instead of rushed.
Learn moreRoof Certification
Roof certification after an inspection and any needed repairs, for buyers, sellers, lenders and insurers.
Learn moreTile Roof Replacement
Full tile roof replacement when the underlayment, fasteners or tile have reached the end of their life, with salvage of good tile wherever it makes sense.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all roofing servicesTalk to a South Orange roofer about tile roof inspection
Call (973) 858-1859 for a local roofer in South Orange and nearby towns.