Do You Remove the Old Roof Before Installing Tile?

Yes. We do.

At The Roof Champion of Columbus, every tile roof replacement starts with a full tear-off—all layers, down to the decking.

Some contractors don’t.
We always do.

Here’s why that matters for your home.

Why We Tear Off the Old Roof First

Installing tile over an existing roof might seem faster, but it creates serious long-term risks for your home. We remove every layer so we can:

• Inspect the decking.
  Tile is heavy. If your decking is rotted or uneven underneath, the structure may fail over time. We don’t guess—we check.

• Install high-performance underlayment.
  Tile doesn’t waterproof your roof. It sheds water. Your real protection comes from the underlayment system underneath. That needs to be installed directly to the decking to work correctly.

• Properly flash penetrations and edges.
  Roof-to-wall joints, valleys, and vents need watertight flashing. That’s nearly impossible to do right without starting from a clean deck.

• Comply with building codes.
  IRC Section R908.3 prohibits re-covering if there are two or more existing roof layers or if the current roof is water-damaged. Even with one layer, full tear-off is best practice under industry guidelines.

What It Looks Like When It’s Done Right

When we install a tile roof, we build from the bottom up:

1. Tear off all old layers

2. Inspect and repair or re-sheet the deck

3. Install high-temp, code-approved underlayment

4. Add flashings at valleys, walls, and protrusions

5. Install battens or direct-to-deck system (based on slope and spec)

6. Lay tile with proper fasteners or foam, per TRI installation manual

No guessing. No shortcuts. Just a clean foundation that gives your roof the 50+ year performance it’s built for.

Why It Matters in Columbus, OH

Central Ohio weather swings fast—heat, freeze/thaw cycles, and heavy rains put every part of your roof system to the test. If that roof was installed over layers of old problems, it will fail faster than it should.

We’re not here to do the job twice.
We do it right the first time.

FAQ

Do you always tear off tile roofs before replacing them?

Yes. Whether it’s clay, concrete, or “S” tile, we remove all existing roofing. We inspect the deck and start fresh, as required by building codes and industry best practices.

Can tile be installed over an old asphalt roof?

It shouldn’t be. The weight of tile can overload structures not designed for it. Plus, the underlayment system can’t work correctly without being anchored to clean decking.

What underlayment do you use under tile roofs?

We use a double layer of high-temp underlayment or a single layer of modified bitumen, depending on slope and manufacturer spec. Everything is installed to Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRI) and code standards.

Need a tile roof that lasts?

Call Travis Haessly at The Roof Champion of Columbus.
No hidden shortcuts. No skipped steps. Just tile roofing done the right way.

📍 177 Chasely Circle, Powell, Ohio 43065
📞 (614) 639-3422
🌐 www.roofchampcolumbus.com