Dry repair shoulder systems have grown in popularity over traditional mortar bed shoulders in recent years, but how are they different from each other and what are the advantages of a dry repair system that does it? so popular? The clue, actually, is in the name, as ‘dry solution’ products do not require a wet cement mix or mortar to set the trim to the edge of the roof. Instead, the rim components are slotted and nailed or screwed to the rim, employing an innovative design to ensure waterproofing of the roof and eliminate the need for wet mix.

While the use of mortar is an effective method of seating the edge, ensuring that the roof edge is protected from water and unwanted pests; Time must be allowed for the mortar to set. With the use of a dry-set edge, this setting time is redundant, eliminating the risk of the mix staining the tiles if it rains before the mortar is fully set. In addition to this, a key disadvantage of mortar is that it does not yield to a building’s movements and weakens over time from fluctuations in age and temperature, leading to a large amount of maintenance over time. By addressing these key issues of longevity and ease of installation, dry patch products have many other advantages over mortar bed patios that contribute to their popularity.

Compatible with most interlocking concrete or slate shingles, a dry repair edge can be installed at the same time as the shingles or later as part of edge maintenance to replace a cracked or crumbling mortar edge. Each trim component inserts into the previous piece, beginning with the initial insert which is secured to the face and end of the faceplate with stainless steel or aluminum screws. Each unit is installed by sliding it up onto the previous element, making sure the tabs fit snugly into the internal locating slots at the correct height. This results in an instant waterproof edge that installs in a fraction of the time it would take to install and dry a mortar-bed roof edge.

Impervious to water, birds and large insects, a dry fixed edge is guaranteed to perform for years in even the most demanding conditions. Where a mortar edge may crumble or allow water to enter the ceiling space, a dry edge made of high-performance plastic will hold its own and eliminate the need for costly maintenance. One such dry fastening system is Marley Universal Dry Rod, which includes fantastic high performance dry fastening materials that are designed to complement most shingle and slate roofs to ensure the integrity of the roof profile and maintain the esthetic. Every component of the Marley system is manufactured to strict quality control specifications from high-quality plastic that is designed to withstand exposure to high levels of UV, ensuring a remarkable lifetime of service.