Mechanical Fixings

Ridge and Verge Tiles

Ridge and verge tiles are among the most common elements to suffer problems. Exposed to wind forces, rain and frost breaking loose the mortar bedding, they are no longer considered strong enough to cope with extreme weather without a mechanical fixing. Fitting them takes a little extra care and attention to allow them to stay put. The new current edition of BS: 5534 requires mechanically fixed ridge and verge tiles instead of reliance on the traditional cement-bedded method alone. If dry fix ridges and verges are not proposed, mortar can still be used but in conjunction with a mechanical fixing to anchor them down. Dry fixed ventilated ridge tiles are commonly available to work with fibre cement slates, concrete tiles and slate roof materials.

General Tile Fixing

Standard tiles around the perimeter of the roof should now be twice nailed or clipped for the same reason. Elsewhere, every tile should have at least one nail fixing.