Project Case Study
Terra Cotta Tile Roof Repair & Copper Gutter — Northline, Metairie
A repeat Northline customer called us back after tiles started disappearing off a clay barrel-tile roof. We sourced matching terra cotta, replaced the broken tiles, sealed the skylight, repaired the rake and ridge, rebuilt rotten fascia, and re-secured a failing half-round copper gutter.
Project Details
- Location: Northline area, Metairie, Jefferson Parish, LA
- Scope: Terra cotta tile repair, skylight seal, rake and ridge repair, fascia replacement, copper gutter re-secure
- Customer: Repeat client
- Status: Complete — tiles replaced, fascia rebuilt, skylight sealed, copper gutter re-secured
- License: LA #889646, permits handled in-house
Project Background
Clay barrel-tile roofs are common on the older brick and stucco homes around Northline in Metairie. They last decades — but individual tiles crack, slip, and go missing after storms, and the wood they sit on doesn't hold up nearly as long as the clay does.
This homeowner had already worked with us before, so when tiles started showing up in the yard he called us back rather than shopping the job. We flew the roof with a drone first and marked every broken tile, slipped course, and damaged ridge cap so the homeowner could see exactly what we were quoting.
Once we got hands on the eave, the bigger problem showed up: multiple sections of rotten fascia behind the starter tiles, and a half-round copper gutter that was pulling away from the house. Those get corrected before any tile goes back down — otherwise the new tile sits on failing wood.
Scope of Work
Tile repair is slow, careful work. Every course above a broken tile has to be lifted and re-set by hand — one wrong step and you break three more tiles fixing one. Here is what this job covers.
- Drone inspection to document every broken, slipped, and missing terra cotta tile
- Sourced matching terra cotta barrel tiles for a seamless blend with the existing field
- Meticulous removal and replacement of broken tiles without disturbing sound courses
- Skylight curb resealed and flashed to stop water entry
- Rake and ridge runs repaired and re-bedded
- Rotten fascia boards cut out and replaced with new material
- Failing half-round copper gutter re-secured and re-hung to correct pitch
- Debris cleared from gutter runs and valleys before final walkthrough
How the Repair Runs
Drone Inspection & Tile Sourcing
- Full drone survey of every roof plane with damage circled and logged
- Counted broken, slipped, and missing tiles for an accurate material order
- Sourced matching terra cotta barrel tiles for color and profile
- Staged tiles on site and set the boom lift for safe roof access
Fascia & Copper Gutter Repair
- Detached the failing half-round copper gutter sections
- Cut out rotten fascia along the eaves and rakes back to sound wood
- Installed new fascia material and cleaned decayed debris from the tile beds
- Re-hung and re-secured the copper gutter to correct pitch and drainage
Tile Replacement, Skylight & Ridge Work
- Lifted courses by hand to remove broken tiles without cracking sound ones
- Set matching replacement tiles and re-bedded the surrounding field
- Resealed and reflashed the skylight curb to stop water entry
- Repaired rake courses and re-bedded ridge and hip caps
Cleanup & Homeowner Walkthrough
- Cleared debris from gutter runs, valleys, and the ground below
- Water-tested the repaired areas around the skylight and eaves
- Daily photo documentation shared with the homeowner through JobTread
- Final walkthrough and one-year workmanship warranty on the repair
Project Photos — Northline Terra Cotta Roof Repair
Drone inspection markups, rotten fascia and copper gutter discoveries, sourced replacement tiles, flashing and leak-barrier work at the eave, and the finished tile roof.
Drone inspection — broken and slipped tiles marked around the skylight
Inspection — displaced field tiles and ridge damage documented
Inspection — ridge and hip run with exposed flashing and cracked caps
Inspection — missing tiles and exposed batten along the hip circled
Inspection — overall roof plane, skylights, and ridge flashing condition
Access — boom lift set for safe work over the tile field
Discovery — rotted fascia and decayed debris packed under the eave tiles
Discovery — rake fascia deteriorated behind the starter tiles
Discovery — open gap behind the tile letting water into the framing
Discovery — half-round copper gutter pulling loose, debris and failed flashing
Discovery — gutter separating from the fascia line at the eave
Repair — eave opened, new flashing and gutter edge rebuilt
Repair — new copper hanger strap and cleaned downspout outlet
Repair — leak barrier and underlayment installed at the eave
Repair — starter course reset over the new leak barrier
Sourced matching terra cotta barrel tiles staged on site
Repair — tiles carefully lifted around the skylight curb
Repair — replacement tiles set and the skylight resealed
Finished — copper straps set and gutter secured along the eave
Finished — replacement tiles blended into the existing field
Finished — rebuilt eave and gutter over the pool elevation
Finished — gutter re-pitched and downspout reconnected
Finished — completed tile roof, tight ridge, skylight, and chimney
Why Tile Roofs Need a General Contractor
Most tile "repairs" in this market are a caulk gun and a replacement tile that doesn't match. That hides the problem for a season. The damage on this roof was not the clay — it was the wood and metal underneath it: rotted fascia, debris-packed tile beds, failed flashing, and a copper gutter that had lost its hangers.
Because we handle carpentry, flashing, gutters, and roofing under one licensed company, we correct the substrate before the tile goes back. See our roofing services, the roofing materials guide, and our exterior works page for how we approach fascia, soffit, and gutter detailing. Water that already got inside is handled through water damage repair. Full service list on our services hub.
Missing or Broken Tiles on a Metairie Clay Roof?
We source matching tile, correct the fascia and flashing underneath, and re-secure your gutters. Call (504) 336-2444 for a walkthrough.