Rebedding and repointing tile roof ridge caps across Melbourne — renewing the mortar that secures and seals them, with flexible pointing that resists cracking.
8 min read FreshDuct Melbourne Melbourne, Victoria
On a tile roof, the ridge caps are held and sealed by mortar — a bed of mortar (bedding) underneath and a layer of pointing over the joint. Over the years that mortar cracks and crumbles, letting ridge caps loosen and water find its way in. Rebedding and repointing renew this, restoring the ridge caps and the roof’s weather seal — and using flexible pointing that resists the cracking that defeated the old mortar. FreshDuct repoints and rebeds tile roofs across Melbourne.
Ridge CapsRebedded and resealed, secure again
FlexiblePointing that resists cracking
Weather SealKeeps water out at the ridges
On a tile roof, the ridge caps are held by a bed of mortar (bedding) and sealed by a layer of flexible pointing over the top. Old, cracked bedding and pointing let ridge caps loosen and water in — rebedding and repointing restore them, with flexible pointing that resists cracking.
Bedding and Pointing Explained
The ridge caps — the tiles running along the ridges and hips of a tile roof — aren’t simply laid on top; they’re held by mortar. The bedding is the bed of mortar underneath that holds the caps in position, and the pointing is the layer applied over the joint to seal it against weather (see the cross-section above). Together they secure the ridge caps and keep water out. When this mortar deteriorates, both jobs are undone — the caps loosen and the seal fails — which is what rebedding and repointing put right.
Signs You Need Repointing
The tell-tale signs are visible cracking or crumbling of the mortar along the ridges and hips, ridge caps that have shifted or feel loose, gaps where mortar has fallen away, and bits of mortar turning up in the gutters or on the ground. A weathered, ageing roof often has deteriorating pointing even when it’s hard to see from below. Because failing pointing lets water in and lets caps loosen, it’s worth addressing once these signs appear. An inspection confirms the condition and what’s needed.
Why Flexible Pointing
Roofs move — they expand and contract with heat and weather — and that movement is what cracks rigid mortar over time. Traditional sand-and-cement pointing sets hard and brittle, so it cracks and fails under that movement, which is how old pointing deteriorates. Flexible pointing retains some give once cured, so it accommodates the roof’s movement and resists cracking, lasting longer as a result. Using flexible pointing is simply doing the job properly, so the repaired ridge caps stay sealed for years rather than cracking again quickly.
The Repointing Process
Repointing and rebedding follow a clear process: the ridge caps and existing mortar are assessed; where the bedding has failed, the caps are rebedded on fresh mortar to re-secure them; and fresh flexible pointing is applied over the joint to seal it. Loose or broken caps and tiles are addressed as part of the work. The result is ridge caps that are secure and a roof that’s sealed against weather at its most vulnerable lines — the ridges and hips where caps meet the tiles.
Repointing or Full Restoration?
Repointing and rebedding can be a standalone job — if the tiles are sound and it’s the mortar that’s failing, restoring the ridge caps may be all the roof needs. A full restoration goes further, combining cleaning, repointing and re-coating to renew the whole roof, which makes sense when the roof is also dirty, mossy and weathered and you want to refresh its protection and appearance. We assess the roof and recommend the right scope rather than overselling. See our restoration guide.
Getting a Quote
Repointing and rebedding are quoted per job after an inspection — roof size, the length of ridges and hips, access and the condition of the existing mortar all matter. We inspect, assess what the ridge caps need, and provide a clear quote. Call 0431 918 137 or request a quote. See our cost & quoting guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is roof repointing and rebedding?
On a tile roof, the ridge caps (the tiles running along the ridges and hips) are held in place by a bed of mortar — the bedding — and sealed with a layer of pointing over the top. Over the years this mortar cracks and deteriorates, letting ridge caps loosen and water in. Rebedding renews the mortar bed that holds the caps; repointing applies a fresh, flexible pointing layer to seal the joint. Together they restore the ridge caps and the roof’s weather seal. See the cross-section above.
How do I know if my roof needs repointing?
Common signs are visible cracking or crumbling of the mortar along the ridge caps, ridge caps that have moved or feel loose, gaps where mortar has fallen away, and pieces of mortar found in the gutters or on the ground. A generally weathered, ageing roof often has deteriorating pointing even if it’s not obvious from the ground. The reliable way to know is an inspection — we check the condition of the bedding and pointing and advise whether repointing is needed.
What is flexible pointing and why does it matter?
Flexible pointing is a pointing compound that retains some flexibility once cured, rather than setting rock-hard like traditional sand-and-cement mortar. This matters because roofs move and expand with heat and weather, and rigid mortar tends to crack under that movement — which is exactly how old pointing fails. A flexible pointing accommodates the movement, so it resists cracking and lasts longer. Using flexible pointing is part of doing the job to last, which is why we use it.
Can you just repoint, or does the whole roof need restoring?
Often repointing and rebedding the ridge caps is a job in its own right — if the tiles themselves are sound and it’s the mortar that’s failing, restoring the ridge caps may be all that’s needed. A full restoration combines cleaning, repointing and re-coating to renew the entire roof, which makes sense when the roof is also dirty, mossy and weathered and you want to refresh its protection and colour. We assess the roof and recommend the appropriate scope. See our restoration guide.
How much does roof repointing cost?
Repointing and rebedding are quoted per job after an inspection, because the cost depends on the roof’s size, the length of ridges and hips, access, and the condition of the existing bedding and pointing. We inspect, assess what the ridge caps need, and provide a clear quote. Call 0431 918 137 or request a quote and inspection. See our cost & quoting guide.
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