Question For The Builder, If I May.

[ferlew]

Two of our ridge tiles have loosened, we have someone willing to bed them back in, after removing the old mortar.
My question is...do you have to use a special mix for these heavy ridge tiles.
Thanks in anticipation. :)

[Gizmonster]

I would say that just a good "strong" mix would suffice and that a "special" mix is not necessary ...... I wait to be corrected though ........

[heathfield]

There's a discussion on the subject here...

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=78197

[The Builder]

No, I've never come across any special mixes, ferlew.

I love those DIY forums. They do tend to overthink thing so much. Fixing is standard procedure. A regular mix of sand/cement/maybe lime or plasticiser.

I'd be more concerned over blending in with the existing .... colour-wise. Having said that, in a couple of years they'll be all green and mossy anyway.

Tell the guy to use whatever mix he's used to. The weight isn't important. On older houses, I can tell you that the majority of ridge tiles are just "sitting there" anyway.

[ferlew]

Many thanks indeed Builder. The bungalow is just 13 years old, and luckily the loose tiles are at the back, so not THAT important the colour is a bit off.
"Just sitting there" ? wow, that's scary.
I see ridge tiles are being sort of tied in now, with what look like cable ties, no mortar. Is this something special?

[ferlew]

Thank you the other two gentlemen too. :)

[The Builder]

"Dry ridge" is just about standard now on new build, Ferlew. To do this effectively, all the ridge tiles would have to be taken off and re-fixed with the new system Simply put, it's a matter of restraining the ridges with metal or plastic ties fixed to the roof timbers.

My own preference for existing situations like yours is to drill a hole in each end of the tile... screw a piece of galvanised fencing wire to the ridge board (timber).......... pass this up through the hole in the tile, then bend it back down to the ridge, and hold with another screw.

Do this at each end of the tile. Fencing wire can easily be bent into a small circle to accept a screw.

With ordinary mortar, point up the junction of the tile to the slates/concrete tiles......... and point up the vertical joints between each tile.
It's not usual to "solid bed" these days (underside of tile completely filled with mortar.

They'll never come off again.

Yes, best not to dwell on the state of many of our older roofs.... and don't even think about some of the chimney stacks !!

[ferlew]

Many thanks indeed, nice to know what is going on around you.