Securing small cuts of roof tiles, particularly those where the nail holes have been removed, can make life difficult for roofers to comply with BS 5534 and the NHBC’s fixing guidelines that require a minimum of two mechanical fixings for all perimeter tiles.
By not mechanically fixing cut tiles, roofers run the risk of not complying with BS 5534 and putting the roof at risk of failure.
The most common reason for failing to adequately fix tiles is that roofers are often unaware of the mechanical fixing solutions available to them.
Redland offers three such solutions and suggests roofers use the appropriate Redland clips for the required situation.
By using at least two of the three solutions, roofers will have a secured tile cut that complies with BS 5534. The Tail Clip, C-Clip and Kro-Clip all have pros and cons depending on the application but all can help to secure cut tiles.
Where the Tail Clip, as its name suggests, secures the tail of the cut tile to stop it sliding down the roof, the C-Clip can secure either the head or tail of the cut tile to the adjacent tile.
The Kro-Clip is a versatile clip that can be used in many applications and is ideal for situations when both the tail and head edge of the tile is inaccessible – for example, on raking cut tiles at hips and valleys.
Each clip has a very simple installation process, detailed below.
Tail Clip
Step 1: Offer the clip up to the tile
To install the Tail Clip, offer it up to the side of the adjacent tile to determine the headlap.
Step 2: Bend the clip into position
Bend the clip over the tile cut and make sure it is securely in place and won’t slip off the roof once the tile is placed within it.
Step 3: Slide the tile cut into position
Take the tile cut and slide it into the Tail Clip with the nib, or nibs, of the tile resting on the batten. The tile is now securely fixed at the tail.
C-Clip
Step 1: Fit the tile cut into position
Place the tile cut onto the batten in the usual way with the nib, or nibs, resting on the batten.
Step 2: Fit the clip on the front of the tile
Holding the C-Clip in the hand, place the smaller edge on the front of the tile and rotate backwards so that the long edge of the clip clamps together the coverlock of one tile with the interlock of the adjacent tile.
Step 3: Fully fix the clip
Continue to rotate the clip and push downwards so that the clip slips into position over the tile interlocks. You may hear an audible click as the clip slots into position.
Kro-Clip
Step 1: Attach the Kro-Clip to the tile cut
Push the jaws of the Kro-Clip (with the tail pointing towards the back of the tile) onto the edge of the tile and firmly hammer home.
Step 2: Create a fixing point
Hammer a nail half way into the rafter (or, as in the picture shows, a hip batten). The fixing point must be located above the clip position and the distance between the fixing point and the clip must be kept as short as possible.
Step 3: Wrap the tail around the fixing point
Wrap the tail several times around the nailed fixing point ensuring that the wire is pulled tight between the fixing point and the clip. Hammer the fixing point nail home to secure the tail.
For more information visit www.redland.co.uk
