Cement Work
Expert Roofing Cement Work in Fife and Edinburgh by LC Joinery Scotland
Cement is a crucial material in the building trade, used extensively from concrete foundations at the base to cement skews at the roof's top. The roof and chimney areas are particularly exposed to the elements, requiring strong and durable cement mortar for effective protection.
Cement Work in Roofing
Cement plays a vital role throughout house construction, from bonding brickwork to securing roofing tiles. The mortar mix used for roofing is typically stronger, with a higher cement-to-sand ratio, ensuring durability against wind-driven rain and other harsh weather conditions.
Replacing Cement Skews in Fife and Edinburgh
Skews are blocks that sit on top of party walls between tenement buildings and gable end walls. They seal the join between wall and roof, preventing tiles or slates from lifting in the wind. Skew stones may be butt jointed with lime mortar or lapped with adjacent stones to reduce water penetration risks. The outer edge of the tiles where they meet the skew should be raised to direct water away from the join, sealed with metal flashing or a mortar fillet.
Timely Repairs
Cracked, crumbling, or missing cement in your skews should be promptly repaired by a roofer with the correct equipment. Delaying repairs can lead to water penetration, which exacerbates the damage by pushing out more cement with freezing and thawing cycles, creating significant problems.
Signs of Cement Skew Problems
Look out for cracks in the skew stones, particularly the club skew, which anchors the other stones and prevents them from slipping. Any signs of slippage or cracks should be treated as urgent repairs. Mortar can wash away over time, allowing plants to grow and widen the joins, leading to water percolation and damage. Exposed skews can also suffer from penetrating dampness in certain locations.
Other Roofing Cement Work
Cement is used in mortar joints around your roof, including the chimney. Over time, these mortar joints can perish, affecting the structural integrity of the chimney stack. Early treatment involves riddling out old mortar and repointing. Another trouble spot is the flaunching, the mortar bed holding chimney pots in place. If this mortar perishes, water can soak the joint and run into the property, causing damage.