Hi:

I have a very leaky tile roof, which had been "repaired" a few years
ago, but now it's leaking again. Only the paper was replaced, and it
seemed like the thin regular kind. The major problem is the pine
needles that block the channels in the tiles and i was told normally
that wouldn't be a big problem except that the roof isn't steep
enough.

I wish I had done more research in the past, but after doing a little
more, I find out that there is something called self-adhering
underlayment which is supposed to do a better job of keeping out water
especially on less steep roofs. Replacing the entire roof with
shingles would cost too much becuase it is a large single story ranch.
Repairs would cost much less but I would like to know what I should be
asking for in material when I contact a tile roofing repair
specialist. With tile roofs, it's pretty much the underlayment and
wood that needs to be replaced, the flashings in the valley and
damaged wood.

So my question is because of the pine needles and the pitch of my
roof, is there any way to reliably water and leak-proof it or would I
have to go the shingle route? I was wondering if self-adhering
underlayment along with synthetic paper would do the trick. And would
copper valleys do a better job of water-proofing than the stainless
steel ones I have?

Thanks