At a glance: Completed 2026-10-05: tile roof rake edge & fascia board repair on Cornell Avenue, University City, MO 63130. Office: St. Louis, 314-429-6000.
The call on Cornell Avenue
Cornell Avenue is lined with older two-story homes, and this one has a tile roof. Tile can outlast several shingle roofs, but the wood behind it does not. The fascia board along the right rear rake edge had deteriorated.
Tile work takes care. The original tiles had to come off and go back on without breaking, because matching older tile is difficult.
What we found in University City 63130
The fascia board along the right rear rake edge needed replacement, and the rake edge tiles had to be removed to reach it.
What the work order shows
- Removed the rake edge tiles from the right rear rake edge.
- Removed and replaced the fascia board in the same area.
- Reinstalled the existing rake edge tiles where they were removed.
- Cleaned up, magnet swept and hauled away the debris.
Tile roofs and the wood behind them
Tile is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on homes in University City, but the wood fascia under the rake edge is still wood. Water that runs off the gable edge year after year eventually softens it, and that is what happened on the right rear of this Cornell Avenue home.
When the fascia fails, the rake tiles lose their solid base and can loosen or crack, so the repair protects the tile as much as the trim.
Removing and saving the original tiles
A two-person crew lifted the rake edge tiles along the right rear, replaced the fascia board in that area, and reinstalled the original tiles. Keeping the existing tiles avoided trying to match older tile that may no longer be made.
The job finished with cleanup, a magnet sweep and haul-away, so the yard was clear of nails and debris.
Roofer near me in University City 63130
Owners of older and specialty-roof homes searching roofer near me in University City, Clayton or the Delmar Loop area can call our St. Louis office at 314-429-6000.
We are comfortable working around tile and other specialty materials and will tell you honestly whether a repair or replacement makes sense.
Caring for an older tile roof in 63130
Many homes on Cornell Avenue and nearby streets were built in the early 1900s and still have original or very old tile. Tile itself is tough, but older roofs often have wood trim, flashing and underlayment that have aged far more than the tile. Regular inspections focus on those parts.
Walking on tile can break it, so tile roofs should be inspected and repaired by crews who know where to step and how to handle the pieces.
Why the rake edge
The rake edge is the sloped side of a gable. Wind drives rain sideways against it, and water runs along the edge as it drains. Over many years that wets the fascia board behind the rake tiles more than almost any other trim on the house. On this home the right rear rake had reached the point where the board needed to be replaced.
Reusing tile is a big deal
Matching older tile can be difficult or impossible, so every original tile saved keeps the roof looking right. The crew removed and reinstalled the existing rake tiles instead of replacing them, keeping the home's original look.
Signs fascia under tile needs attention
From the ground, look along the gable edges of a tile roof. Tiles that sit unevenly, gaps between the tile and the trim, peeling paint, or soft-looking wood at the edge can all mean the fascia behind is failing. Birds or insects going in and out of the edge are another clue.
Working safely on a two-story tile roof
Tile roofs are heavier and more fragile underfoot than shingle roofs, and a two-story home adds height. Assigning two people to this job meant one could handle and stage tiles while the other worked the edge, reducing the risk of broken tiles and keeping the work safe.
Magnet sweep on an older property
Older homes in University City often have mature landscaping and close neighbors. The magnet sweep at the end of the job picked up nails and small metal pieces from the lawn and beds so nothing was left behind.
Repair before replacement
A tile roof in good condition can often keep going for many years with targeted repairs like this one. We always look for the repair that keeps an older roof serving the home.
Protecting the new fascia board
A new fascia board under tile is only as good as its protection from water. Proper tile overhang, sound flashing at the gable and a clear path for runoff keep the new wood dry. While the tiles were off, the crew could see the edge clearly and set the new board so the reinstalled rake tiles sit flush and shed water off the edge instead of onto the trim. For owners of older homes in University City, this kind of careful edge work is how a tile roof stays both beautiful and watertight for the long run. Call 314-429-6000 to have your edges checked.
Roofer near me in 63130 for older homes
Not every crew that shows up for a roofer near me search in University City is comfortable on tile. Our St. Louis office works on older and specialty roofs across 63130, 63105 and 63112, and we treat original materials as something to save. On Cornell Avenue that meant every rake tile came off carefully and went back in place on a new fascia board, so the home kept its original look and the edge is solid again for years to come.
Roof repair in University City, MO 63130
University City, in ZIP 63130, has one of the largest collections of early 20th-century homes in St. Louis County, including tile, slate and other specialty roofs, near the Delmar Loop and Washington University.
If you live on or near Cornell Avenue and are seeing the same kind of problem, call our St. Louis office at 314-429-6000 or our 24/7 line at 1-800-564-6232 for a free inspection. We tell you whether a repair will do the job before anyone talks about replacement.
Questions homeowners ask about this repair
Can you repair a tile roof without replacing tiles?
Often, yes. Tiles are carefully removed, the wood is repaired and the original tiles go back.
Why was it a two-person crew?
Handling tiles at a rake edge on a two-story home safely and without breakage is easier with two people.
What is a rake edge?
The sloped edge of a roof at a gable end.
Do you repair tile and older roofs in University City?
Yes. Call 314-429-6000.
Can broken tiles be replaced individually?
Often yes, if matching tile is available.
Does a tile roof need underlayment replaced?
Over time it can. We check it during inspection.