Tile Roof Underlayment and Monsoon Leaks

Roof tiles shed most rain and protect what is beneath from the sun, but water still gets between and under them, especially in wind-driven monsoon rain. The underlayment, a layer of felt or synthetic membrane on the roof deck, is what keeps that water out of the attic.

Phoenix heat bakes underlayment year after year. Older felt becomes brittle, cracks and tears, especially at valleys, around vents and where tiles are cracked or slipped. Many roofs on homes from the 1980s and 90s still have their original underlayment, which is now at or past the end of its life.

Monsoon storms bring strong wind and heavy rain in a short time. Wind drives water sideways under tiles and up past laps. If the underlayment beneath is cracked, the water reaches the roof deck and drips into the attic, soaking insulation and ceiling drywall.

New ceiling stains after storms, especially near walls or in the same place each time, peeling paint high on walls, cracked or slipped tiles visible from the ground and granules or debris in gutters can all point to underlayment problems. A roofer can lift tiles to check the layer beneath.

The usual fix is a lift and relay: roofers remove the tiles, replace the underlayment and battens as needed, and put the original tiles back, replacing broken ones. It costs far less than a new roof and can extend the roof's life for decades. Check roofers with the Arizona ROC license lookup.

Have the roof inspected in spring, especially if it is more than 20 years old. Replace cracked or slipped tiles, clear valleys and gutters and check flashing around vents and walls.

Catch the water, protect belongings, poke a small hole in a bulging ceiling over a bucket and photograph damage with the date. Call a roofer for the roof and a restoration company to dry the inside. Drying should not wait for the roof repair.

Sudden storm damage, such as wind lifting tiles, is often covered. Leaks from worn-out underlayment may be treated as wear and tear. A roofer's written note on the cause helps.

Not every storm leak is the roof. Sliders with clogged weep holes, windows with worn seals and doors facing runoff can all let water in during storms.

Many tile-roof homes also have flat roof sections over patios or additions. These drain through scuppers that clog with debris, causing ponding and leaks. Check them along with the tile.

Ask what type of underlayment they use, whether they replace battens, how they handle broken tiles and what warranty comes with the work. Check the license with the Arizona ROC license lookup.

Ceiling stain after a storm? Call (602) 878-5475 for a local provider to dry it the same day.

Tiles crack when people walk on them, when branches fall and in hail. They slip when fasteners fail. A cracked or slipped tile exposes the underlayment to sun and rain. Replace them promptly, and ask anyone working on the roof, including solar and satellite installers, to walk only where tiles can take the weight.

Many North Phoenix homes have solar panels on tile roofs. The mounts penetrate the roof, and poor flashing around them can leak. If a stain appears after solar was installed, ask the installer to check the mounts.

Debris collects in roof valleys and gutters, especially after dust storms. Water backs up under tiles. Clearing them before and during monsoon season helps.

Tiles last decades; the layer beneath them does not. Check it before the storms do. A lift and relay on a 25-year-old tile roof can add many dry years.

Find out how old your roof is. If it is 20 years or more, book a spring inspection and ask the roofer to lift a few tiles and check the underlayment before monsoon season.

Ask the roofer to photograph the underlayment under a few lifted tiles so you can see its condition yourself. Photos make the decision much easier.

If your tile roof is 20 to 30 years old, the underlayment may be the weak point. Inspect before monsoon season and plan a lift and relay before storms do the inspecting for you.

Questions about tile roof underlayment and monsoon leaks? Call (602) 878-5475 to reach a local North Phoenix provider, 24 hours a day.