Roof Ridge Ventilation

[Mark Hindley]

Hi,

I am just about to ventilate our roofspace before installing between rafter insulation.

I have just noticed that the half-round, mortared ridge tiles have an angled strip of thin (?galvanised) metal running all the was along the top. It doesn't reach the edge of the ridge tiles, but just forms a little peak on top.

The neighbouring house has the same strip too, but not the one at the end. All were build at the same time (1960s). Scottish Borders. Roofs are close boarded and probably original.

Does anyone recognise this description? Could you tell me what it is for? I have wondered if it is a primitive form of ridge ventilation. Obviously it is in the way for installing many refurbishment ridge vents.

Thanks,

Mark

[dom]

Lightning conductor?

Lots of info here:

[Mark Hindley]

Thanks. Couldn't find anything similar there, but I think I might have tracked it down: Anti-moss Copper Ridge,

Mark

[marvelus]

"Exposure to air and water causes the copper to oxidize, creating a fungicide called Copper Sulphate/copper irons "

LOL He sounds like a real rocket scientist.

Total snake oil.

[Roger]

The message from marvelus contains these words:

Hardly. The explanation is,to say the least, suspect but it has been suggested a number of times on this ng without adverse comment that a copper wire stretched along the ridge does deter moss growth.

[Guy King]

The message from Roger contains these words:

I wouldn't say "without adverse comment" - it appears to have had its detractors every time it's mentioned.

Actually, I suspect it can work in some areas, and perhaps not in others, depending on the level of air pollution.

[The Natural Philosopher]

The easy thing to do is to try it. Strip a bit of T and E and stretch it over HALF the ridge (controlled experiment)and take pictures and monthly intervals,

[Guy King]

The message from The Natural Philosopher contains these words:

If I were bothered by moss and lichen then I might - but I rather like them.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Lichen is nice, but moss really clogs up gutters and downpipes.

[Guy King]

The message from The Natural Philosopher contains these words:

I've never had a problem with it - the stuff just seems to bounce over the gutters.