Loose Ridge Tiles: Why It Happens and How It Is Fixed

Why they loosen

Mortar is rigid and a roof moves. Over years of heat, cold and wind the bedding cracks, water gets in and frost breaks it up.

What to look for

• Gaps between or under the ridge tiles
• Pieces of mortar in the gutter
• A tile sitting crooked

Fix one: re-bed in mortar

The tiles are lifted, cleaned and set on fresh mortar. It suits older roofs and keeps the original look.

Fix two: dry ridge

The tiles are screwed or clamped to a batten with no mortar at all. It copes with movement and needs very little upkeep.

Which to choose

For a short repair, matching what is there is usually simplest. For a whole ridge, a dry system is the lower-maintenance choice.

Do not wait

A ridge tile is heavy. One that rocks can come down in a storm.

The mortar along the roof edge fails in the same way. See our dry verge installation service.