The ridge is the most exposed line on the whole roof and, on most older properties, it is held on with mortar. Mortar has a working life. Once it cracks and loses its grip, ridge tiles become both a water route into the roof space and a genuine hazard to anyone underneath.
Repointing is not the same as re-bedding
Repointing means raking out and renewing the visible mortar joint. It works only where the bed underneath the ridge tile is still holding. If the tile rocks when it is touched, pointing over the top of a failed bed is cosmetic and will crack again within a season or two.
Re-bedding means lifting each ridge tile, cleaning off the old mortar, and bedding it back down on a fresh mix. It costs more, takes longer, and it is the honest answer when the bed has gone.
Where dry-fix makes sense
Dry-fix ridge systems hold each tile mechanically with a screwed clip onto a batten, with a ventilated roll sealing the junction. There is no mortar to crack, they meet current fixing requirements for new work, and they ventilate the ridge, which helps with condensation in the roof space.
They are the default on a re-roof. On a period property where the mortar bed is part of the look, or on a listed building, a traditional bedded ridge with the right mix is often the appropriate choice and we will say so.
Hips and verges have the same problem
Everything true of the ridge applies to hips running down the corners of the roof and to mortar verges at the gable. Verges are the most wind-exposed detail on the building and mortar there fails early, which is why dry verge systems are so common on modern work.
- Cracked hip mortar with tiles beginning to slide
- Missing hip iron at the bottom of the hip line
- Mortar verges crumbling on the prevailing-wind gable
- Ventilated ridge roll fitted at the same time where useful
Doing it once
Ridge, hip and verge work all need the same access. If the ridge needs re-bedding and the verge is crumbling, doing both in one visit saves a second set of access costs. We look along the whole line while we are up there and quote for what is actually there rather than only the bit visible from the pavement.
Common questions
How do I know if my ridge needs re-bedding or just pointing?
If the mortar is cracked but the tiles are solid, pointing may hold. If any tile moves, the bed has failed and it needs lifting and re-bedding. We check by hand rather than guessing from the ground.
How long does mortar bedding last?
It varies with exposure, mix and workmanship. Ridges on exposed coastal and open-field sites give up earlier than sheltered ones, which is why so much of our ridge work is in North Norfolk and on open-aspect properties.
Is dry-fix better than mortar?
For durability and ventilation on a modern covering, yes. For appearance and appropriateness on a period or listed property, a well-executed bedded ridge is often the better choice. It is a judgement about the building, not a blanket rule.
Can you do the ridge without a full scaffold?
Short ridge runs on accessible roofs can sometimes be done with roof ladders and edge protection. Longer runs and higher properties need proper access, which we include in the written quote rather than adding later.