The ridge running along the top of a roof and the verges along its sloped edges are two of the most exposed lines on the whole structure, and both take a considerable amount of punishment during a storm. For properties across Patchway, damage here is a common outcome of high winds, even on roofs where the main tiled or slated surface has otherwise come through largely unscathed, which can make it easy to overlook if you are only checking the obvious middle of the roof.
Ridge tiles are typically bedded onto mortar, or in newer installations secured with a dry-fix system, and either method can fail over time. Mortar naturally weathers and cracks as it ages, gradually losing its grip on the ridge tiles until a storm provides the final push needed to dislodge one. A gap at the ridge is particularly significant because it sits at the very highest point of the roof, where two slopes meet and rely on that capping to keep water out of the loft space below.
Verges, meanwhile, rely on either mortar bedding or a mechanical dry verge system to keep the roof's sloped edge tiles secure against wind trying to lift them from the side. Where this detail has weakened, high winds can dislodge a run of several edge tiles at once rather than just one, since the whole line depends on the same bedding or fixing holding along its length.
Dry-fix systems, which use mechanical clips and fittings rather than mortar to secure ridge and verge tiles, have become increasingly common on Patchway roofs over recent years, whether fitted during original construction or as an upgrade during a later repair. These systems generally hold up well against wind because they do not rely on a bonded joint that can crack with age, though they still need to be correctly fitted and occasionally checked to remain fully effective. Where a roof has suffered repeated mortar-related ridge or verge failures over the years, upgrading to a dry-fix system during the repair is often worth discussing as a way of reducing the likelihood of the same problem recurring in future storms.
Repairing ridge damage usually means rebedding loose tiles or, where the mortar has failed more generally along the run, considering a full ridge rebed or an upgrade to a dry-fix system for a more wind-resistant long-term result. Verge repairs follow a similar logic, addressing not just the specific tiles that have moved but the underlying bedding or fixing system along the affected stretch.
If your Patchway roof has visible gaps or unevenness along the ridge or verge after a recent storm, it is worth having it looked at before further tiles are dislodged. A free inspection will confirm exactly what repair is needed, and completed work is backed by our 15-year guarantee, so the top of your roof stays secure through whatever weather comes next.
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