Can you repair roof tiles, or do they have to be replaced?

Repairable

• Hairline cracks that do not go through the tile: a flexible sealant made for tile can hold for a while.
• Small chips at an edge that do not reach the overlap.
• Slipped tiles that are intact: refix with a clip or an approved adhesive.
• Cracked mortar at ridge or hip caps: rebed, or switch to a dry ridge system.

Replace instead

• A tile broken through, missing pieces, or cracked across its width.
• Spalled or delaminating tiles whose surface flakes off.
• Tiles damaged by hail or a falling limb.

Finding replacements

Clay tile can last for generations, but specific profiles and colors get discontinued, and concrete tile fades. Options include salvaged tiles from a supplier, borrowing tiles from a hidden area like a back porch and putting new ones there, or accepting a close match with a slight color difference.

The underlayment question

Tile roofs are uncommon enough in Georgia that many were installed decades ago over felt that is now brittle. If leaks persist after tile repairs, the usual fix is to lift the tiles, replace the underlayment and battens, and relay the same tiles. That is a bigger job, but usually far cheaper than new tile.

Safety

Walking on tile breaks tile. Professionals know where to step, use padding, or work from ladders and roof hooks. See common roof leak causes and what to expect in a roof inspection.