Fitting ridge and gable end tiles in cold weather Additives?

[mic2876uk]

Hi,

finally got to the point where I will be fitting the ridge and gable end tiles this weekend on my slow going garage build (link below) but the weather is perilously close to zero. Has anyone any experience adding additives such as Sika Wintermix Chloride Free Admix & Frostproofer to the usual mix of 1 cement, 1 sharp sand and 2 soft sand during cold weather?

Ideally i'd wait to warmer weather but i have the scaffold platform at the moment so i'd rather just get it finished if possible

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/garage-self-build.532254

 

[23vc]

Fully expect to get shot down but I’d go dry ridge at least, and if it works dry verge too. Then again I like the easy life.

Verge mortar is prone to degrading pretty easily if not done 100% right so may be worth waiting till it’s not freezing overnight even if that means doing it off tressles or whatever

 

[mic2876uk]

Cannot go dry verge as already have the ridge tiles

 

[23vc]

The ridge tiles in your latest pic can be fixed using standard dry ridge kits, you’d get it done in an hour. having done that you’ve still got the choice of wet or dry verge

 

[mic2876uk]

Oh I didn't realise. Roofing is completely alien to me. Do you have a link to something suitable?

 

[^woody^]

Whilst additives may prevent the mortar freezing, there is still a big potential problem from a layer of ice forming between the tile and the mortar which will prevent adhesion, and ridges get no shelter at all from cold weather so be wary of borderline temperature forecasts.

Current guidance is that ridges should be mechanically fixed, not just relying on mortar, so in practice that tends to require a dry fix kit. Search for generic kits from Klober or Manthorpe or others, or the tile manufacturers own product.

There are dry verge systems too, but whether you like the look of them is another matter. There are universal systems or manufacturer specific, and also individual or continuous.

Otherwise for a wet verge, I'd wait until the temperatures improve.

 

[mic2876uk]

Thanks for the advice.

In terms of actual temperature Sunday is predicted to have a daytime temp of 4 and a nighttime temp of 3degC is this too cold or not?

Also out of curiosity how do they manage in much colder climates than our own?

 

[^woody^]

3° night time will be fine. As long as you are not in a place which is exposed and gets local conditions worse than the forecast.

Certain works stop just the same in colder countries.

Back in the day pre-80's, we frequently got severe winter weather and sites shut down for weeks or months.

 

[mic2876uk]

3° night time will be fine. As long as you are not in a place which is exposed and gets local conditions worse than the forecast.

Certain works stop just the same in colder countries.

Back in the day pre-80's, we frequently got severe winter weather and sites shut down for weeks or months.

Looks like thats sundays job sorted then! just need to get the tiles the other end cut and the undercloaking positioned in preparation.

Not particularly exposed pretty much central england in Leamington spa

Whats changed since the 80's better weather or better materials?

 

[^woody^]

Whats changed since the 80's better weather or better materials?

Better weather. We hardly seem to get any snow or severe ice now in winter, and it certainly does not last.

I've got geraniums in the garden all year round!

 

[catlad]

Definitely the weather has improved over the years! it hardly seems cold anymore working outside all winter ( unless its windy )