Standard mortar-bedded ridge tiles last 15-25 years on sheltered inland properties. On exposed North Wales coastal sites — promenade properties, Craig-y-Don, Penrhyn Bay seafront, Little Orme clifftops — the same mortar may last 8-12 years before salt air erosion and wind loading cause failure.
The Mortar Problem on Coastal Properties
Salt air erodes the mortar bed that holds ridge tiles, and Atlantic wind loading creates movement that eventually separates tiles from their bed. On exposed North Wales properties, ridge tiles re-bedded in mortar only will fail within a decade. Mechanical fixings hold the tile independently of the mortar — the correct long-term solution.
Mechanical Fixings — The Correct Solution
Mechanical ridge fixing systems (Redland Dry-Fix, Marley Universal Dry Ridge) secure ridge tiles to the batten with a stainless steel clip that holds independently of any mortar. The ridge tile is supported by the clip even when the mortar joint has eroded. We specify these as standard on all Llandudno ridge work on exposed coastal sites.
Hip Tiles — The More Complex Repair
Hip tile runs require mitred fitting at the eave and a hip iron bolted to the hip rafter as a mechanical base. We check hip iron condition on all hip roofs and replace corroded irons as part of any hip re-bedding project.