Dry Ridge System Upgrade | Southend

Project Overview

This project was an essential roof upgrade for a property in Southend, replacing a failing, traditional mortar-bedded ridge with a modern, mechanically fixed dry ridge system. The old mortar had cracked and crumbled over time, leaving the ridge tiles loose and vulnerable to the elements. The goal was to provide a secure, maintenance-free, and long-lasting solution that complies with modern building standards.

Before: The existing ridge tiles were bedded in traditional sand and cement mortar. This mortar had severely degraded, cracking and breaking away from the tiles. This left the ridge line insecure, posing a risk of loose tiles in high winds and allowing potential water ingress.

After: The roof is now secured with a modern dry ridge system. The new ridge tiles are mechanically fixed, providing a neat, uniform appearance. The entire ridge line is now completely weatherproof, secure against storm damage, and requires no future maintenance like repointing.

The Process

Removal of Old System
- The first step was to carefully remove all the existing ridge tiles. We then hacked off the old, crumbling mortar bed completely, clearing the debris and cleaning the top course of roof tiles to create a clean, stable base for the new system.
Ridge Batten Installation
- A new, treated timber ridge batten was securely fixed along the apex of the roof, running the full length of the ridge. This provides the central fixing point for the new system.
Ventilated Roll Out
- A universal ventilated ridge roll was laid out over the new batten. This flexible, self-adhesive membrane is dressed over the top course of tiles on both sides, creating a weatherproof seal while allowing the roof space to breathe, preventing condensation build-up.
Mechanical Fixing
- New ridge tiles were laid along the length of the roof. Each tile was then mechanically fixed in place using specialist clamps and stainless steel screws. These clamps hook onto the ridge tile and are screwed firmly into the ridge batten, ensuring each tile is held securely in place and cannot be dislodged by high winds.

Conclusion

The result is a permanent, reliable solution to a common roofing problem. The new dry ridge system provides far superior security and longevity compared to traditional mortar. The roof is now fully protected from the elements, has improved ventilation, and the homeowners have complete peace of mind knowing their ridge tiles are secure and will never need repointing again.