Lift & Relay: Save Your San Jose Tile Roof Without a Full Tear-Off

Concrete and clay tile can easily last 75–100 years. The underlayment beneath — 30-lb felt or synthetic — lasts 20–35. When we get called out to a Saratoga or Los Gatos estate with leaks and 25-year-old tile, the honest recommendation nine times out of ten is not a full tear-off. It's lift and relay.

What lift & relay actually is

We carefully remove every tile, stage them on the property, strip the failed underlayment and battens, inspect and repair the decking, install new synthetic underlayment (Polyglass Elastoflex or similar) and pressure-treated battens, and re-lay your original tile with new metal flashing, ridge caps, and fasteners. The visible roof looks identical when we're done.

When lift & relay is the right call

• Tile is intact — under 10–15% breakage.
• Roof is 20–35 years old and leaking, or underlayment is visibly torn during inspection.
• You want to preserve original architectural character (Covenant homes, historic Almaden Valley).
• Concrete tile discontinued or clay tile matched from a small production run.

When it's the wrong call

• Tile itself is spalling, delaminating, or over 40% broken.
• Decking is rotted beyond spot repair.
• Homeowner wants a different color or profile.

Real cost comparison

For a typical 2,800 sq ft Saratoga home, a full tile tear-off and replacement runs $48,000–$70,000. Lift & relay on the same home is typically $26,000–$38,000 — with a new 30-year underlayment warranty. That's a $22,000+ savings on the same waterproof outcome.

Free honest assessment

Call (424) 777-1619 or email sales@californiafirstroofing.com for a free tile roof inspection.