Should ridge tiles be cemented on?

Joined
5 Jan 2016
Messages
2,250
Reaction score
192
Location
Lancashire
Country
United Kingdom
Like the title says, on a typical slate roof, is it normal to cement / mortar the ridge tiles on? I always assumed not -you just lay them neatly- but looking around I see a lot of old houses that have them cemented on. Is that a later modification or what?
 
Sponsored Links
Standard ridge tiles should be bedded in mortar at the joints, which should be built up with layers of slips and mortar, to reduce shrinkage, how it's been done for hundreds of years
 
On a night like this if you see some idiot in Lancashire walking in the middle of the road - that will be me.
 
ha ha,
back to the OP many modern roofs are now fitted with dry ventilated ridges, which are held down with clips rather than mortar
 
Sponsored Links
On old slate roofs, the ridges would be laid with tighter joints, darker mortar and perhaps more skill, and so may well look like they have not been bedded on mortar.
 
I use expanding foam to bed the capped ridge tiles on these days. You would be better to bed them on with something as they may rock about in the wind and keep you awake at night! having said that I did a roof for a friend of mine about 15yrs ago and it started raining as I was finishing, so he said not to worry he would point them himself he never has and he hasn't had any problems.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top