Tile Refelt in Gilbert - What to Expect Before, During, and After the Job

A tile refelt means lifting your roof tile, replacing the worn layer underneath, and putting your sound tile back. In Gilbert, where many homes have concrete tile roofs from the late 1990s and 2000s, it is one of the most common big roof jobs. All Valley Roofing does tile refelts across the East Valley, and here is what to expect from start to finish.

Why tile roofs need a refelt

Concrete and clay tile can last 50 years or more. The layer under it, called underlayment or "felt," often wears out much sooner - often at 15 to 25 years. The hot sun on south and west slopes speeds that up. When that layer cracks or gets brittle, water that gets past the tile can reach the roof deck and your ceiling. The tile can still look fine while the layer underneath leaks.

A refelt fixes the layer that actually keeps the water out, while keeping the tile you already have. Our post on tile roof underlayment replacement in Arizona explains the why in more detail.

Before the job

The roof check and report

It starts with a Free Roof Report. We check the tile, the layer underneath where we can see it, and the parts that cause most leaks. You get photos and plain notes that show whether a refelt, a smaller repair, or a full new roof makes the most sense. Roughly half the roofs we check do not need a new roof yet.

HOA steps

Many Gilbert neighborhoods have HOA rules about roof tile and color. If you are reusing your same tile, the look usually stays the same, but some HOAs still want to know about the work. Check with yours early. Our Gilbert HOA tile roofing guide covers what to ask.

Prep at home

• Move cars out of the driveway and away from the house
• Move patio furniture, grills, and pots away from the walls
• Take down items hanging on interior walls under the roof if they rattle easily
• Let neighbors know there will be some noise
• Keep pets inside or away from the work area

During the job

Tile comes off and gets stacked

The crew lifts the tile and stacks it on the roof or nearby. Sound tile is saved to go back on. Cracked or broken tile is set aside to replace.

Old layer comes off, deck gets checked

The old underlayment is removed. This is when we can see the roof deck, the wood under everything. If any boards are soft or damaged, we let you know and replace what needs it.

New layer goes on

New underlayment goes down, along with new flashing at walls, valleys, and roof openings where needed. Pipe boots and vent parts are often replaced at the same time.

Tile goes back

Your saved tile goes back on. Broken tiles are swapped for new ones that look as close as possible. If an older tile shape is no longer made, we may use saved tile on the front and new tile on a less visible slope.

The work time depends on roof size and how much tile must come off. We give you a work plan after the check.

After the job

The site gets cleaned up, including nails and tile pieces. Ask for photos of the new layer and the finished roof to keep with your home records. Then your roof is set up for many more years, with the same tile and a new layer underneath.

If you have solar panels

Panels need to come off before the tile can be lifted. We plan that with a solar detach and refit partner, so you still have one point of contact. See solar detach and reset.

FAQ

Do I need to be home during a refelt?

Not for the whole job. We will set up a plan with you for access and updates.

What affects the cost of a tile refelt?

Roof size and slope, how much tile is broken, deck damage, and solar panels. Your written quote shows the price.

Is a refelt better than a new roof?

When the tile is still sound, often yes. If a lot of tile is cracked or the shape is no longer made, a new roof may make more sense.

Get started in Gilbert

All Valley Roofing is based in Tempe and works across the East Valley, including Gilbert. Request a Free Roof Report or contact us. See our tile roofing page for more.