This was another little job I finished a few weeks back. Customer had a lean-on extension built and the mortar at the ridge tiles started crumbling and falling onto the patio. This is a relatively easy fix, the access is the tricky bit as usual.
So I started with the tool hire company and I arranged a tower scaffold to be delivered for the customer’s address. The guys are brilliant, we agreed they will deliver between 8:00 – 9:00 in the morning and they were there just after 8:00. This meant that by 9:00, I had my scaffold assembled and I was ready to go.
The old mortar was indeed in a poor shape. I only needed a little tap with the mallet and I could lift up the ridge tiles straight away. I numbered and placed the tiles aside and I started to chip away the mortar. Slow and steady is the motto when you do things like this as you don’t want mortar to fly everywhere and don’t want to risk to damage the roof tiles. They are replaceable, but why drive around and source reclaimed tiles when you can avoid this just by being cautious.
So the tiles were off, old mortar been removed, it was time to clean the area and start to mix some sand and cement. I found if I make a stiffer mix, it’s easier to have a nice and smooth finish around the edges and it’s a lot cleaner to work with. I started placing back the ridge tiles all the way up, making sure it’s straight in every angle and don’t have bumps or holes on the ridge line.
Once I finished, I checked again that everything is in order and started to clean off the roof. Brush off the roof, clean gutters (very important) and take down the scaffold. I was finished by mid afternoon and I left the scaffold packed up, ready for collection. Customer was very happy with the result and I had a good day as well on the roof.
Screw it! 