Ridge tiles and dry verge specialists
The ridge tiles run along the very top of your roof, capping the join where the two slopes meet, while the hip tiles cover the angled edges that run down towards the corners. Together they take the full force of the wind and weather, so when they work loose they are a common cause of leaks and storm damage. At Dexters Build we repair, re-bed and replace ridge and hip tiles, and we fit modern dry ridge and dry verge systems that hold firm for decades. We are a family-run business with over 10 years' experience, and every job is backed by our fully guaranteed workmanship.
We work on homes and commercial buildings throughout Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, including Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Dunstable, Bedford, Milton Keynes and the surrounding towns and villages. Every quote is free and comes with no obligation.
Mortar-bedded ridges versus dry ridge systems
For generations, ridge and hip tiles were bedded onto a thick line of sand and cement mortar. It works well at first, but mortar is rigid and the roof beneath it moves with every change in temperature. Over the years that movement, combined with frost, rain and the constant buffeting of the wind, causes the mortar to crack, crumble and let go. Once the bond fails, the ridge tiles start to rock, slip out of line and eventually blow off altogether, often in the first big storm of the winter.
A modern dry ridge system solves this for good. Instead of relying on mortar, each ridge tile is mechanically fixed with screws and clamps onto a continuous ridge roll that still lets the roof ventilate. There is nothing to crack and nothing to wash out, so the ridge stays secure through high winds and hard frosts. Dry ridge is now the standard finish on most new pitched roofs, and a sensible upgrade whenever an old mortar ridge has failed.
Dry verge for the gable edge
The verge is the edge of the roof at the gable end, where the tiles overhang the wall. Traditionally this was sealed with cement, and like ridge mortar it cracks, drops out and lets birds and water in. A dry verge system replaces that crumbling cement with interlocking caps that clip and screw over the edge tiles. They give a clean, uniform finish, lock the end tiles down against the wind, and never need repointing, making dry verge a cost-effective way to tidy up a tired gable.
Re-bed or convert to dry-fix?
Not every ridge needs ripping off. If the mortar is sound and only a section has slipped, re-bedding the affected tiles is often the most economical fix. Where the mortar has failed along the whole length, or the ridge is exposed to the prevailing wind, converting to a dry ridge system is the better long-term answer. We will get up on the roof, look honestly at the condition of the bedding and tiles, and tell you which approach makes sense for your budget. Storm damage is a common trigger, and we can carry out emergency roof repairs to make a slipped or missing ridge safe before fitting a lasting solution.
While we are up there we often spot related work, such as worn pointing or cracked flaunching around the chimney, or loose mortar on the tiles and slates nearby. Where a roof is reaching the end of its life altogether, we will say so plainly and talk through a new roof rather than patching something that will only fail again.
Why choose Dexters Build
- Family-run with over 10 years' experience on ridges, hips and verges of every kind.
- Fully guaranteed workmanship on every job, large or small.
- Honest advice on whether to re-bed or convert to dry-fix.
- Modern dry ridge and dry verge systems that resist wind and frost for decades.
- Free, no-obligation quotes for homes and businesses alike.
Get a free ridge tile quote
If your ridge tiles are slipping, your gable cement is cracking, or a storm has lifted tiles off the top of your roof, it is worth dealing with before water gets in. Ring us on 07951 017425 or our landline on 01582 438542, or email info@dextersbuild.co.uk for a free, no-obligation quote. We will arrange a convenient time to inspect the roof and give you a clear, fair price.
