Tile is the roof most Florida homeowners picture when they picture a beautiful house. It is also the roof most often installed wrong, and the one where the layer you cannot see does all the work. Hippo Roofing has installed, repaired and re-underlaid tile roofs across Brevard County since 2008, and we are glad to share with you what is really going on under yours.
Tile roofing built for the Space Coast
A tile roof is two systems. The tile you see sheds sun and rain and gives the house its look. The underlayment you do not see is the actual waterproofing. In our climate the tile routinely outlives the underlayment, so the smartest tile decision is usually about what is underneath, not what is on top. We install both concrete and clay tile, in flat, low profile and barrel styles, and we call our full tile system the SuperRoof.
What we do with tile
Tile roof replacement
A complete new tile roof: old roof removed, deck inspected and repaired where needed, code required underlayment and secondary water barrier, new flashings, new tile, and hip and ridge secured with today’s foam and mechanical methods rather than mortar alone. Permitted and inspected by your city or county.
Lift and relay (new underlayment, your existing tile)
When your tile is in good shape and still available, we lift it, replace the underlayment and flashings, and reset your tile. You keep the look you chose and pay for the part that actually failed. This is the most common tile job we do in Brevard.
Tile roof repair
Broken and slipped tiles, cracked ridge and hip caps, failed valley metal, leaks at chimneys, skylights and walls, and animal damage. We carry common profiles and can source discontinued ones, and we photograph what we find so you see the repair before and after.
What to expect on a tile project
- A structural look first. Tile is heavy. If your home has shingles today, we check the framing before we quote tile.
- Underlayment that meets Florida code. Every re-roof in Florida gets a sealed roof deck or secondary water barrier. We share with you exactly which system goes under your tile and why.
- A permit and inspections. Tile work is permitted work. Hippo pulls the permit under our own license, CCC1331992, and meets the inspector on site.
- A written price before anything starts. Tile pricing depends on the profile, the pitch, the number of hips and valleys, and whether the tile is being reused. You get the number in writing at the roof visit.
Is tile the right roof for you?
Tile is the right answer when you want the look, the longevity and a home built to carry it. If you are replacing a shingle roof and the budget is the challenge, ask us about METAL ROOF SAME PRICE AS SHINGLES™. We will lay the options side by side and let you choose.
Ready to look at your tile roof?
A free roof visit takes about an hour. We inspect the tile, the underlayment where it is visible, the flashings and the attic, and leave you with photos and a written price.
Frequently asked questions
Does a tile roof need to be replaced, or just the underlayment?
Often just the underlayment. Tile is a shell; the waterproofing is the underlayment beneath it, and in Brevard that layer usually wears out long before the tile does. When the tile is sound we can lift it, replace the underlayment and flashings, and reset the tile. When too much tile is broken or the profile is discontinued, a full tile replacement is the better value. We share both options and both prices at your roof visit.
Can my house carry the weight of a tile roof?
Concrete and clay tile weigh several times what shingles weigh. Homes built for tile carry it easily; a home that currently has shingles needs a structural check before switching. We look at the framing at your roof visit and share with you what the house can support.
How long does a tile roof last in Florida?
The tile itself commonly lasts decades. The underlayment, flashings and mortar or foam at hips and ridges are the wear items, which is why regular inspection matters more on a tile roof than on any other type.
Is tile a good choice near the coast?
Yes. Concrete and clay tile do not rust, and they handle sun, salt air and heavy rain well. The details that matter near the water are the fasteners, flashings and underlayment, and that is where the installer makes the difference.
Tile roofing across Brevard County
We install and repair tile roofs in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Rockledge, Merritt Island, Satellite Beach, Indian Harbour Beach, Melbourne Beach, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach and Titusville. Headquarters: 2774 N Harbor City Blvd #102, Melbourne, FL 32935.