Rebedding, Dry Ridge and Hip Repairs
Ridge Tile Repairs in Liverpool
Ridge tile repair means securing, rebedding or replacing the tiles that cap the top of a pitched roof, so the ridge is weathertight and firmly fixed. Roofer & Builder repairs ridge and hip tiles on tiled and slate roofs across Liverpool, Merseyside, Wirral and the wider North West.
Most ridge problems start with old mortar cracking and washing out. We repair ridges using mortar-bedded or dry ridge systems, with the tiles mechanically fixed in line with BS 5534. If a ridge tile is loose or has already fallen, call our emergency roofing line, as more tiles can follow in high winds.
Why Ridge Tiles Come Loose
On many older roofs, ridge and hip tiles were held in place by mortar alone. Over the years, frost, rain and slight movement in the roof cause the mortar to crack, shrink away from the tiles and wash out. Once the bedding has gone, a heavy ridge tile is held mostly by its own weight, and a strong gust can lift it.
Gaps along the ridge also let wind-driven rain into the top of the roof, where it can soak the ridge board and top battens and show up some distance away.
The warning signs are often visible from the ground: cracked or missing mortar, tiles that look out of line, pieces of mortar in the gutter or on the path, and staining near the top of internal walls. Ridge work often goes hand in hand with other roof repairs, so we check the surrounding tiles at the same time.
Mortar-Bedded or Dry Ridge?
BS 5534:2014 (+A2:2018), the British Standard for slating and tiling, requires ridge and hip tiles to be mechanically fixed, and mortar alone is no longer considered sufficient. Both of the following meet that requirement:
- Mechanically fixed mortar-bedded ridge – keeps the traditional look, which can matter on older properties, with fixings holding each tile as well as the mortar
- Dry ridge system – no mortar at all, with each tile clipped or screwed down over a ridge roll
The right choice depends on the roof, the existing tiles and the look you want, and we will talk you through both before quoting.
Ridge Tile Repairs
Our Ridge Tile Repair Services
Rebedding Ridge Tiles
Loose ridge tiles are lifted, the old mortar is cleaned off and the tiles are rebedded on fresh mortar, with mechanical fixings added so the ridge no longer depends on the mortar alone to hold it in place.
Dry Ridge Systems
A dry ridge system secures each tile with clips or screws over a ridge roll, without any mortar. It usually needs less maintenance than a mortar ridge and can also provide ventilation at the top of the roof.
Hip Tile Repairs
Hip tiles run down the angled edges of a hipped roof and fail in much the same way as ridges. We rebed them or fit a dry hip system, with a hip iron or end fixing at the base to support the run.
Replacement Ridge Tiles
Cracked or broken ridge tiles are replaced with a matching profile where one is still made, including half-round, angled and other common shapes. On older roofs, reclaimed ridge tiles can often be sourced for a closer match.
Ridges on Slate Roofs
Slate roofs often carry clay or concrete ridge tiles. We repair and refix them with care, so the slates either side of the ridge are disturbed no more than necessary and stay properly lapped and fixed.
Ridge Ends and Junctions
Where a ridge meets a gable, chimney or wall, the end of the ridge needs proper weathering. We repair end tiles, mortar and lead details at these points so water cannot track into the roof at the junction.
How It Works
How We Approach Ridge Tile Repairs
Inspect the Ridge
We check the ridge and hips closely from safe access, looking at the mortar, fixings, tiles and the ridge board beneath.
Recommend a Method
We explain whether rebedding, a dry ridge system or replacement tiles make most sense, and confirm it in a written quote.
Strip and Refix
Loose tiles are lifted and cleaned, damaged ones replaced, and the ridge is relaid and mechanically fixed in line with BS 5534.
Check and Clear Up
We check the finished ridge and surrounding tiles or slates, then clear old mortar and debris from the roof, gutters and ground.
Why Us
Why Choose Roofer & Builder for Ridge Repairs?
Fixed to Current Standards
Ridge and hip tiles are mechanically fixed in line with BS 5534, not simply bedded back on mortar and left to work loose again.
24/7 Emergency Line
A loose or fallen ridge tile is a hazard in high winds, so our emergency line is open around the clock when a ridge needs making safe.
Honest Assessment
If only a few tiles need attention, we repair those. If the whole ridge has failed, we explain why relaying all of it is better value.
Experienced Roofing Team
More than 20 years’ roofing experience on tiled and slate roofs throughout Liverpool, Merseyside, Wirral and the wider North West.
Recognised Memberships
Our accreditations include the NFRC, TrustMark and the Federation of Master Builders, which you can check before choosing a roofer.
Clean and Tidy
Ridge repairs create old mortar and dust, so we clear it from the roof, gutters and ground before we leave the property.
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FAQs
Ridge Tile Repairs FAQs
Is a loose ridge tile an emergency?
It can be. Ridge tiles are heavy and can fall in strong winds, and the gap left behind lets water into the top of the roof. Keep people clear of the area below and call us. Our article on when a loose ridge becomes an emergency explains more.
Do ridge tiles have to be mechanically fixed?
Under BS 5534:2014 (+A2:2018), ridge and hip tiles should be mechanically fixed, and mortar alone is no longer considered sufficient. The standard applies to new work, and it is good practice to follow it whenever a ridge is relaid. Both dry ridges and mechanically fixed mortar-bedded ridges can comply.
Can I just have the old ridge repointed?
Repointing the joints can look tidy, but if the bedding underneath has failed, fresh mortar on the surface will not hold the tiles in place for long. Where tiles are loose, lifting them and rebedding with mechanical fixings, or fitting a dry ridge, is usually the lasting fix.
Does a dry ridge suit an older property?
Dry ridge systems work with most modern concrete and clay tiles, and many are designed for slate roofs too. On older or period properties, some owners prefer the look of a traditional mortar ridge. A mechanically fixed mortar-bedded ridge keeps that appearance while still meeting the current standard.
Will insurance pay for a ridge damaged in a storm?
It may, if a storm caused the damage, but many policies exclude the gradual failure of old mortar. Photograph the damage and contact your insurer, and we can supply photos and a quote to help. Our storm damage roof repairs page explains what to do first.
Should the hips be checked at the same time?
Yes, it makes sense. Hip tiles are usually bedded and fixed in the same way as the ridge and tend to deteriorate at a similar rate. If access is already in place for the ridge, checking and repairing the hips at the same time avoids setting up access twice.
Areas We Serve
Ridge Tile Repairs Across Merseyside
From our base in Maghull we cover Liverpool and the surrounding towns. Find your local page:
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If there’s something you’d like our team to take a look at, then feel free to contact us. We’re happy to discuss your project and provide a competitive quote.
Head Office
Maghull Business Centre, 1 Liverpool Road North, Maghull, Liverpool L31 2HB
Opening Hours
Office: Mon–Sat 10:00–18:00
Emergency line: 24/7