April 2019

Pitched Roofing
TOP TEN “ROOFING HACKS”
By Jamie Riddington, Technical Advisor at Marley.
In a world obsessed with life hacks, people are looking for new ways to speed things up, yet
create the same result. In fact, as a nation, our obsession with life hacks has led to a huge
industry of apps, websites and YouTube channels, giving people advice on speedy shortcuts
to get jobs done more efficiently. Yet when it comes to roofing, taking shortcuts isn’t advisable –
everything needs to be done correctly to be safe and comply with modern standards. However, that doesn't
mean there aren't things you can do to create beautiful, compliant roofs more quickly and efficiently...
Here are the Technical Team’s top ten roofing hacks:
“When you’re
working with clay
plain tiles, purpose
made fittings can be a
real time saver”
1Always get a new fixing specification for
each project you do – doing this upfront
will save time by preventing call backs and
ensure you comply with the requirements of BS
5534. You can quickly get a free fixing
specification via our website at:
www.marley.co.uk/specritetool
2Roof clipping is acknowledged as one of
the most time intensive parts of the job. To
speed up interlocking tile installation, use
a one piece clip and nail, like SoloFix, which can
reduce clipping time by as much as 30%.
3To get a beautiful, traditional-looking
pantile roof in less time, use an easy-to-fix
interlocking pantile, such as our Lincoln or
Melodie tiles. As well as including some clever
time-saving features, such as flexible gauges and
hidden interlocks, they can also be used down to
much lower pitches than the traditional
equivalent and are compatible with our dry fix
systems and SoloFix.
4Many contractors have already switched to
dry fix systems but if you’re still using
mortar, switching to dry fix could save you
time, particularly as mortar bedded tiles must
have an additional mechanical fixing under BS
5534 requirements. A big time-saving benefit is
that, unlike mortar, dry fix systems can be
installed in all weather conditions, as long as it is
safe to do so.
“Carefully plan your
clay plain tile roof in
advance, as it helps to
reduce the amount of
cutting you need to do”
5When you’re using a dry verge system,
choose one with a batten end clip as this
makes the mechanical engagement
required under BS 8612 much simpler. Our batten
end clip has sharp teeth which grip into the
batten, making it extremely secure, as well as
being very quick to push or hammer into place.
Unlike others on the market, it can be fitted after
the roof has been tiled.
6Use an underlay that has an integrated
tape system for sealing laps. This helps
you meet BS 5534 requirements more
quickly, without the need for a ‘fly’ batten to
secure the laps.
7Consider using a dry fix system that
already includes ventilation, such as a
ventilated dry ridge system. This provides
the required continuous ventilation along the
ridge, saving time from installing additional high
level ventilation.
8When you need a slate aesthetic, choose a
time saving slate-effect tile with a high
coverage rate. There are some great thin
leading edge slate effect interlocking tiles on the
market. Our Edgemere interlocking slate now
comes in Anthracite for an even closer
resemblance to natural slate and has a high
coverage rate of just 9.7 tiles per square metre.
9When you need to join two different roof
coverings, a dry fix bonding gutter is
quicker and cheaper than using lead. Dry
Fix Soakers are also a great time-saving
alternative to using lead for side abutments.
you’re working with clay plain
tiles, purpose made fittings can be a
10When
real time saver. Not only do they
look stunning, they will eliminate the time spent
on making site formed fittings such as mitred
hips. Also, carefully plan your clay plain tile roof
in advance, as it helps to reduce the amount of
cutting you need to do.
Following these hacks can help to save time and
money on your projects, while still creating
beautiful roofs that comply with British
Standards.
For more roofing tips and installation guides,
visit Marley’s YouTube Channel:
https://bit.ly/2G68H5o
Contact Marley
01283 722588
www.marley.co.uk
@MarleyLtd
32 TC APRIL 2019