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Replacing Roof Ridge Tiles Cost

Do you need to replace the ridge tiles on your roof? This cost guide will run through all you need to know about the cost of materials, installation, and the cost of hiring help for it.

Duration:
1–2 days
Avg price:
£300-£500

Introduction to Replacing Roof Ridge Tiles

Ridge tiles are more susceptible to damage than other roof tiles as the mortar weakens with age and exposure to the weather and changing temperatures.

High winds can also cause ridge tiles to loosen over time and start to let rain in through small cracks which then gradually enlarge as the water freezes and breaks the mortar apart.

Eventually, there will come a time when tiles will need to be replaced or have new cement to fix them back in place properly.



When ridge tiles break, they will need to be replaced with similar colour and profile tiles which can sometimes be hard to find, this is often a real challenge with older properties where you may have to replace the entire ridge.

Getting a professional in to help with resolving roofing problem is always highly recommended as they can identify and rectify the root cause of the problem and save you money over the long term.

To help you understand the cost of replacing roof ridge tiles, this guide sets out everything you need to know, including prices, timeframes and the roof ridge tile replacement process.

How Much Does Replacing Roof Ridge Tiles Cost?

The price that you can expect to pay for a ridge tile replacement will vary depending on the number of tiles that need to be replaced.

If you are just replacing a few ridge tiles (between 1-3), you can expect to pay around £200-£250, and this can usually be completed within a few hours.

If you are replacing the ridge tiles on your entire average-sized roof, the price will be around £500-£600, and this usually takes 1-2 days to complete.

Ridge Tile Prices

TYPE OF JOB AVERAGE COST DURATION
Replacing 1-3 Roof Ridge Tiles £200-£250 2-3 hours
Replacing 3-10 Roof Ridge Tiles £350-£450 0.5-1 day
Replacing Full Size Average Roof Ridge Tiles £500-£600 1-2 days

Labour costs may also vary, although you can expect to pay a roofer around £10-£20 per hour.

The total cost you can expect to pay will depend on the amount of roof ridge tiles that need to be replaced and the severity of the job. Ease of access may also factor into the costs.

Those based in London can expect to pay around £4-£8 more per hour for labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

The average supply cost for ridge roof tiles will vary depending on the type and style that you choose. You can expect to pay anywhere from £2-£10 per tile on average.

  • Cement ridge tiles range between £2-£6 on average.
  • Concrete ridge tiles range between £4-£7 on average.
  • Clay ridge tiles range between £4-£10 on average.

Several additional costs may arise during a roof ridge tile replacement job. Below is a list of those extra costs that you may need to think about with this type of job:

  • Roof cleaning - £300-£700
  • Replace roof tiles - £150-£250
  • Remove asbestos from the roof - £2000-£3000
  • Installing roof lantern - £2000-£3000
  • Roof insulation - £400-£500

You may also need to consider a number of cost factors that can affect the overall price of the job when it comes to replacing roof ridge tiles.

Below is a list of all of the possible cost factors associated with this type of job:

Type of Tiles

The type of roof tile that you choose to have installed on your roof can affect the overall cost of the job.

Cement ridge tiles range between £2-£6 on average, concrete ridge tiles range between £4-£7 on average, and clay ridge tiles range between £4-£10 on average.

Number of Tiles

The number of tiles that need replacing will affect the cost of the job. The more tiles you need, the more you can expect to spend on the materials.

More tiles will also mean that the job will take a lot longer, so you will end up paying more on labour too.



Location of Property

The location of your property can affect the overall cost of the job. Those based in London can expect to pay around £4-£8 more per hour for labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.

Ease of Access

If your house or the roof is difficult to access, this may cause some troubles for the contractor. In these rare circumstances, you may find that additional costs are added to the labour price.

Scaffolding Hire

Scaffolding hire can add a lot of additional costs to the job. The average cost to hire scaffolding to access the roof is around £400-£1000. This is based on an average price of about £400-£600 per day.

Choosing Roof Ridge Tiles

There are several different roof ridge tiles that you can choose from.

Below is a list of the different types of roof ridge tile that you can get and the pros and cons of each type:

Concrete Roof Ridge Tiles Cost

Concrete ridge tiles offer a pristine finish to your roof. There are a number of different types of concrete ridge tile, and they come in many different colours and finishes. Concrete ridge tiles range between £4-£7 on average.

Pros:

✔ Wide range of colours and designs.

✔ Add a pristine finish to the roof.

Cons:

✖ Required sealant to prevent moisture build-up.

✖ They are very heavy and harder to install.



Cement Roof Ridge Tiles Cost

Cement ridge roof tiles offer a lot of strength and durability. They are also resistant to a lot of elements, making them perfect for lasting a long time outside in natural weather conditions.

They are also lightweight, making them easier to install and they come in a wide range of colours and styles to suit your roof. Cement ridge tiles range between £2-£6 on average.

Pros:

✔ Strong and durable.

✔ Resistant to weather .

✔ Come in a number of colours and styles.

✔ Budget-friendly.

Cons:

✖ Not as flexible as other materials.

✖ Easy to crack.



Clay Roof Ridge Tiles Cost

Clay tiles are a very popular choice of ridge roof tile. They come in a range of different shades and shape to suit your roof. Clay ridge tiles range between £4-£10 on average.



Pros:

✔ Popular choice.

✔ Come in various shades and styles.

Cons:

✖ Heavy material which can take longer to install.

✖ Easy to break.



What’s Involved in Replacing Roof Ridge Tiles?

Below is a step by step guide on how to replace a roof ridge tile:

  1. Access the roof safely and remove the ridge tile that you are replacing.
  2. Use a chisel and a hammer to remove any crumbling or cracked mortar from the top of the roof and both of the tiles either side of the ridge. Try to get as much off as possible so that you can add new mortar for the replacement tile.
  3. Create a stiff mortar to bed the tiles ensuring that it is wet enough t bond to the tiles. However, you don’t want it to be too wet so that it slides down the roof.
  4. Brush away any dirt or loose dust from the roof and tiles before you replace them.
  5. Soak the tiles in water before you begin to replace them and also dampen the ridge at the top of the roof tiles.
  6. Put a solid bedding of mortar underneath each of the ends of the tile so that it’ll fill the gap between each of the ridge tiles.
  7. Use a piece of tile slip or slate to support the bed across the gap that lies between the tiles on each side of the roof.
  8. Set the ridge tile on the mortar bed and push it down firmly.
  9. Reduce any of the mortar that leaks out onto the sides using a trowel and then smooth out the joint. Try to be careful not to smear any mortar on top of the existing tiles.
  10. Make sure the gap between the ends of the ridge are filled in and smooth the mortar off at each of the joints.


DIY Roof Ridge Tile Replacement

If just one or two roof ridge tiles need replacing, or if you simply need to fix a ridge tile, this could be done as a DIY project. You should only attempt to replace or repair ridge roof tiles if you have the necessary safety equipment.

The safest and most efficient option is to hire a professional to carry out the job for you. A professional will come out and evaluate your roof to determine the cost of the job. They will then be able to provide you with a personalised quote based on your particular job.



We recommend hiring a professional to carry out the work for you as experienced roofers have the skills needed to carry out the ridge roof tile replacement to a high standard. They will also do everything they can to ensure the ridge roof tiles last a long time.

Plus, they will usually complete the job much faster than you could as they will already have all of the tools and equipment required.

Potential Problems and Pitfalls

There is a certain level of risk involved when replacing roof ridge tiles, even when the job is completed by a professional. This is because the job is conducted at a height and puts the installer at risk of injury should they fall or slip.

However, all professional roofers will be trained to work at such heights and will also have safety equipment which enables them to stay safe on the job.

When hiring a contractor, you should make sure that they have significant experience and the correct insurance to protect yourself and them while they are working.

This will prevent any costly legal fees for injury or damage should anything go wrong.

You also do not need to worry about planning permission, nor do you need to apply for building regulations to replace a roof ridge tile, unless you live in a listed building where you may have to obtain permission before making any changes.

If you go ahead with the job without consent, this can result in an expensive fine, and you may have to pay to revert the roof to its original state.




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Sam J

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