Thank you for visiting our site here at Roofer’s Rates – We know how much it costs to carry out roof repair work because we are roofers ourselves.
How much does it cost to cement tiles to a roof gable end/verge? This page is just one part of our roofing price list which can be found here.
How much work is actually involved and how long should it take an experienced roofer to complete the task?
How to Cement a Gable/Apex
Loose Cement to Gable End
While we would never advise a homeowner to go up a ladder or climb onto a roof to carry out roof repairs, we can tell you the exact steps we would take to cement roof tiles to a gable/apex.
You can use this as a guide to ensure your chosen tradesperson is doing the work properly and not cutting corners.
Don’t forget that every roof is different but the list below covers the essentials:
- Erect access equipment to desired work height. This work should not be done off ladders as working overhead is dangerous.
- Remove the roof tiles and end ridge from roof and clean any cement from them. This will ensure a clean neat finish to the job.
- Replace any broken tiles. Needless to say, it’s best to buy some spare tiles before the project begins, it will save time later as the last you want to be doing is driving around different roofer’s yards trying to find spare tiles, this is even m0re difficult on weekends when most are closed!
- Remove and replace cement undercloak boards (supports the wet cement). Be advised that some of these older products may contain Asbestos.
- Mix cement – 2 parts building sand, 1 part sharp sand and 1 part cement plus plactizer. This is a typical 3-1 roofer’s mix, 3 parts sand and one part cement. The plactizer will make the mixture easy to work with, slow down the drying time and prevent cracks.
- Lay cement onto undercloak and then bed tiles down onto cement.
- Secure tiles with fixings (screws and tile clips). Avoid using hammers and the vibration will cause the cement to fall out.
- Scrape off excess cement and point-in to leave a neat finish. This is the hardest part and experience is the key.
- Re-bed end ridge tile and secure with a clip to prevent the wind blowing it off.
Roof Cement Cost Guide
Below is our cost estimate for a roofing company to set up their own access equipment, remove the old cement and then bed the tiles onto a new sand/cement mixture.
If you need to bring in an external scaffolding company, that price will rise by a few hundred pounds. It really depends on where you live, how difficult access is and how high the roof is, these factors will determine the cost the scaffold company charges.
How Long Will The Work Take?
It can take two men between 1-2 hours to erect access platforms to the work height. Around an hour to remove the old cement and clean up the tiles and around 2-3 hours to mix the cement, bed down the tiles and point the surface. Lowering the access equipment and tidying up will add another hour. So all in all, expect the work to take around a day or just under a day.
Will an External Scaffold Company be Needed?
Most roofing contractors will have their own access equipment such as towers like this:
These would be suitable for cementing a roof gable/apex.
If there are any unusual access issues (perhaps a conservatory underneath the gable) then a scaffold company may need to be brought in.
You can find out how much it typically costs to scaffold a house on this page.
While some roofing contractors will offer to do the work off a ladder, this really isn’t safe as the workmen will need somewhere to stack the tiles. It can also be dangerous holding onto the ladder while using tools in the other hand.
What is the Difference Between Pointing and Bedding?
Bedding the tiles involves completely removing the old cement and laying (bedding) the tiles down onto the cement. This ensures a secure fix.
Pointing is where the tradesman smooths the surface of the cement with trowel. Some roofers will simply point a thin layer over the old cement, this is also known as “buttering up” and usually only lasts a few months before it starts to peel off:
It’s generally best to re-bed the tiles, if the tiles are to be “buttered up” then the cement must be thick enough so it doesn’t peel off.
The quotes on this page are for re-bedding the tiles on cement, we feel this is the best process.
External Websites we Like
Below is a selection of resources that are about roof cement work:
A guide to mixing roof cement/mortar by the team over at Fix My Roof
Advice on methods to secure ridge tiles, both by cement and/or mechanical fixings – see the Roof Consult website
Compare Quotes for Roofing Work
If you are looking to compare quotes from local roofing contractors then click the link below and fill out the contact form: