Tile roofs need a different estimate
Drive through almost any Southern Nevada subdivision built since the 1980s and you will see concrete tile: flat, S-profile or barrel. Tile handles heat well, but it cracks under foot traffic and impact, and the waterproofing underneath does the real work. After years of intense UV and 110-degree afternoons, older felt underlayment can be brittle. That matters in a claim because:
- Replacing broken tiles often requires lifting surrounding courses, which can damage more tile.
- If the underlayment is compromised, the correct repair may be to remove tile, replace the underlayment and reinstall or replace the tile.
- Older tile profiles and colors are frequently discontinued, which raises matching questions.
- Steep or two-story roofs need fall protection and extra handling that a basic estimate may not include.
Shingle and low-slope roofs
Composition shingles are more common in Northern Nevada and on older homes. Hail bruising, granule loss and creased tabs from wind are the usual findings. Flat and low-slope roofs over commercial buildings and some mid-century Las Vegas homes use foam, TPO or built-up systems, each with its own repair logic and its own arguments about whether the damage is functional or cosmetic.
How we document a roof
We measure every slope, photograph damage with scale references, count broken and displaced tile, note pitch, layers and access, and check flashings, vents and gutters. Then we tie each finding to a line item. Use our roof squares and tile calculator to check the basic measurements on your own estimate before we talk.
Questions about this service
The adjuster says my broken tiles were caused by people walking on the roof. Can appraisal settle that?
If the dispute is about how much storm damage exists, a panel can usually address it. If the insurer says the whole loss isn’t covered, that is a coverage issue and may need an attorney.
My tile color is discontinued. Does the insurer have to replace the whole roof?
Not automatically. It depends on your policy’s wording and on whether a reasonable match is available. Matching is one of the most common disputes we see on tile roofs.
Does Nevada really get damaging hail?
Less often than many states, but summer thunderstorms in both the Las Vegas and Reno areas can produce hail. Tile and aged roofing are vulnerable even to modest stones.