There’s something satisfying about a repair that looks simple on the face of it… until you realise the real challenge isn’t the repair itself it’s access.
That was exactly the case on this three-storey block of flats. Failed verge pointing needed attention, parking was awkward, fencing boxed the whole site in, and conventional access would have made a relatively straightforward roof repair far more complicated than it needed to be.
That’s where a spider lift comes into its own.
If you’d like to see the repair in action first, you can watch the full video here and come back to the article afterwards:
👉 https://youtu.be/zi-FXoD9CRo
This job ended up being a nice example of two things I’m often banging on about:
- Why cherry picker access can outperform scaffolding on targeted repairs
- And why Flexim roof putty deserves more respect than it often gets.
Why Access Is Often the Real Roofing Problem
People often assume the repair is the difficult bit.
Sometimes it is.
But often especially with roof repairs, chimney repairs, gutter repairs, or awkward roof leak repair investigations the biggest challenge is simply reaching the work safely and efficiently.
That’s where my Platform Basket Spider 1890 Pro earns its keep.
On a site like this, scaffolding would have been slow, costly and excessive. A truck mount would have struggled because of access restrictions.
The spider lift? Track in, set up, carry out the repair, move to the next verge.
Job flowing.
Exactly what specialist working at height equipment should do.
If you’re curious how I use this sort of access for all sorts of awkward repairs, have a look at my specialist cherry picker access services.
Using Flexim Roof Putty for Verge Repairs
This repair was about failed mortar to the verge ends.
Rather than mixing sand and cement up in the basket which is never much fun, I used Flexim roof putty.
And yes… I know this product divides opinion.
Every time I mention it, somebody says:
“That’s a cowboy fix.”
Usually followed by someone else who has actually used it saying:
“No, it’s brilliant.”
Funny old world.
Why I Like It
For targeted verge repairs, I see genuine advantages:
1. It Moves With the Roof
Traditional mortar is rigid.
Roofs aren’t.
Movement, expansion, contraction, wind uplift… it all causes cracking over time.
A flexible compound can absorb movement rather than fight it.
That matters.
Why It Can Outperform Traditional Mortar in Some Repairs
This is where nuance matters.
I’m not saying Flexim replaces every traditional method.
If I’m carrying out heritage chimney repointing, rebuilding stacks, or dealing with lime work, that’s a different conversation.
But for isolated repairs?
It can be very effective.
Practical advantages:
- Ready mixed, no ratios to mess up
- Waterproof immediately
- Flexible rather than brittle
- Fast for high-level repairs
- Great where access time matters
When you’re working from a spider lift basket, practical products matter.
Less faff is underrated.
A bit like decent tea.
The Spider Lift Advantage Over Scaffolding
This job had multiple verge repairs across the block.
That’s where the machine really showed its worth.
Repair one.
Lift outriggers.
Track over.
Set up again.
Carry on.
No dismantling scaffolding.
No repeated access drama.
Just efficient working at height.
This is the same reason I often use spider access for chimney flaunching, awkward chimney repairs, and even targeted roof leak repairs where traditional access makes little sense.
I cover some of those services here:
Is Flexim Roof Putty a Mortar Replacement?
No.
And yes.
Depends what you mean.
That’s the whole point.
It isn’t “better than mortar”.
It’s a different tool.
And good repairs often come down to using the right material for the right problem.
Not blindly doing what’s always been done.
That’s where poor workmanship often starts.
“Because we always do it that way.”
Dangerous phrase.
Lessons From This Job
A few takeaways from this one:
Access often dictates the repair method
Homeowners usually focus on the defect.
Contractors should also be thinking about the route to fixing it safely.
Big difference.
Specialist materials can save time — if used properly
Products like Flexim aren’t magic.
Used badly, they can be poor.
Used appropriately, they can be excellent.
That applies to almost everything in roofing.
Spider lifts are massively underrated
People often compare them to scaffolding.
Wrong comparison.
They solve different problems.
For targeted repairs? A spider can be unbeatable.
If you haven’t watched the video yet, it’s worth seeing the repair and access setup in action here:
👉 https://youtu.be/zi-FXoD9CRo
Then come back and tell me if you’re in Team Mortar or Team Putty.
I’ll get the popcorn.
Where I’d Use Flexim Again
I’d happily use it again for:
- Verge repointing
- Ridge repairs
- Bonnet repairs
- Small targeted remedial work
- Some emergency roof repairs
For full rebuilds?
Different story.
And that’s okay.
A One-Man Business Perspective
One thing I’ve learned doing this sort of work solo:
Efficiency matters.
Good access, good systems and good material choices are what keep small specialist businesses profitable.
It isn’t just about doing the repair.
It’s about doing it safely, properly and without turning a half-day job into a two-day circus.
That matters whether you’re doing roof cleaning, bird mesh installations, or chasing awkward leaks around chimneys.
(And yes you can find those services too:
Roof cleaning services
Solar panel bird mesh installation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flexim roof putty used for?
Flexim roof putty is commonly used for verge repairs, ridge repairs and targeted roofing remedials where a flexible alternative to traditional mortar is useful. It can work well in repairs where movement causes rigid mortar to crack.
Is Flexim roof putty better than mortar?
Not universally. It depends on the repair. For some targeted roof repairs it can be very effective, while traditional mortar or full roof repairs may be more appropriate elsewhere.
Can a spider cherry picker access tight spaces?
Yes that’s often where they excel. For awkward sites, restricted parking and difficult access, spider cherry picker access can often reach areas larger equipment or scaffolding struggles with.
Why do verge mortar repairs fail?
Movement, frost, water ingress and age often cause traditional mortar to crack or detach. That’s a common cause of many small but persistent roof defects.
Are spider lifts better than scaffolding for roof repairs?
For targeted repairs, sometimes yes. For major works, scaffolding may still be right. It depends entirely on the job.
Can failed verge pointing cause leaks?
Absolutely. Failed verges can allow water ingress, leading to damp, timber decay and internal roof problems if ignored.
If you found this useful, do watch the full video, leave a comment under it, and let me know whether you’ve used Flexim yourself.
And if you need help with awkward roof repairs, chimney repairs, or specialist high-access work, that’s exactly the sort of thing I do.
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👕 All my workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear
Anything I’m wearing in this video can be found here:
https://www.graniteworkwear.com?afid=danny
