How do you repair clay tile or slate without breaking more of it?
Clay tile and slate are brittle underfoot, and a careless repair can crack three pieces to fix one. We use roof ladders and padded hooks on steep slopes, and we replace broken slate with a slate hook or copper strap rather than face-nailing through the piece. Replacement clay tile gets matched for profile, size and weathered color, since a bright new tile stands out on a 70-year-old roof.
The underlayment and metal are where these roofs usually give out. Original valley flashing on many 1930s and 1940s homes was galvanized steel that has rusted through, and chimney flashing was often smeared with mastic during past repairs, which is why leaks around the chimney are so common here. Our work on older homes replaces that metal with copper or heavier gauge material while keeping the tile or slate.
Living with big live oaks over an older roof
The live oaks on Alamo Heights lots are a big part of the neighborhood's character, but they're hard on roofs. Leaves pack the valleys and hold moisture against the underlayment. Limbs that brush the roof in wind grind down the edges of tile and slate, and a falling branch can punch through decking that's close to a century old.
We suggest having an arborist keep limbs several feet off the roofline and clearing the valleys each fall and spring. If a limb does come down, our tree damage repairs start with a dry-in, then decking and rafter checks before any tile goes back.
What changes when your home sits inside the City of Alamo Heights
Alamo Heights runs its own building permits, separate from San Antonio. Requirements and review times can differ, so we confirm them with the city before setting a start date. Some streets also have small lots, tight side yards and no alley, which means we plan where the dumpster and tile pallets go and protect the beds below the eaves.
Heavy roofs also raise structural questions. If you're thinking about going from shingles to tile on a mid-century ranch, the framing needs to be checked for the added weight. Our comparison of clay and concrete tile explains the weight and cost differences before you commit.
