How often should a roof be repointed?

Repoint your roof every 10 to 15 years. The actual frequency depends on our local climate:

Your Roof’s Age and Material: Older roofs may need attention sooner. Terracotta and cement tiles are common in our area.
Sydney’s Weather Conditions: Our blend of hot sun and sudden intense storms can accelerate mortar deterioration.
Quality of Previous Work: If your roof was repointed with lower-quality materials or techniques in the past, its lifespan will be shorter.
Tree Cover: Homes surrounded by trees often accumulate more debris.

What is Roof Pointing?

Pointing is the seal for your roof’s ridge capping. It’s the process of repairing and refreshing the mortar joints that bind the ridge tiles (or “ridge capping”) together on the highest points of your roof. These mortar joints act as a barrier preventing water penetration into your roof cavity.

Sun, rain, and strong winds can cause this mortar to become brittle, crack, and crumble away. When this happens, it creates direct pathways for water to seep in.

Signs Your Roof Needs Attention

Loose or Missing Mortar. This is the most obvious sign. If you see gaps or crumbling material between your ridge tiles.
Cracks or Gaps
Loose or Slipping Tiles
Water Leaks
Mould Growth

What Does a Ridge Capping Repointing Job Include?

Tile Inspection & Replacement: We’ll replace any broken roof tiles throughout your roof, including valley cuts and those under the ridge capping.
Secure Small Corners: Re-fixing any small corners into place using high-quality flexible pointing or sealant.
Seal Protrusions: Cleaning and sealing all aerial bolts, cracked lead flashings, and other penetrations as needed.
Valley Maintenance: Stripping up the base of valleys, clearing debris, and re-assembling them correctly.
Gutter Debris Removal: Cleaning leaf debris from gutters where necessary, ensuring proper water flow.
Secure Loose Valley Cuts: Clipping any loose valley cuts into place.
Thorough Cleaning: High-pressure water blasting all ridge capping concrete to remove dirt and loose pointing. This allows the new flexible pointing to adhere correctly and last for years.
Preparation: Cutting back the top edge of all ridge capping with a grinder for a clean surface.
Expert Repointing: Repointing all ridge capping using premium flexible pointing, applied with precision.

Can You Repoint Over Old Mortar? (Steve’s Take)

While it’s possible to apply new pointing over existing mortar, it’s a decision that requires assessment. I always recommend a thorough inspection. If the underlying mortar is compromised, repointing over it is a temporary fix that won’t last.

In many cases with older brittle mortar, it’s better to remove the old material entirely (“rebedding and pointing“) and start fresh.

We recommend the long term fix, not just a quick fix.

What is a Roof Ridge?

The roof ridge is the horizontal line at the very peak of your roof where two sloping roof planes meet.

It’s capped with ridge tiles that protect this joint from weather. This highest point keeps water out, but also allows ventilation of your attic for regulating temperature and moisture.

How We Repoint a Roof Ridge

Our process includes:

Preparation: We clean the entire area around the ridge tiles and inspect for any damage.
Mortar Application: We then mix and apply the new flexible pointing, pressing it firmly into the gaps between the tiles and smoothing it for a clean, weather-tight finish.
Curing: The flexible pointing is then allowed to dry and cure completely, forming a durable seal.

How Long Do Ridge Tiles Last?

Good quality concrete ridge tiles themselves can last anywhere from 40 to 75 years. The repointing (the mortar that holds them in place) typically needs attention every 10 to 15 years. We use high quality flexible pointing, which significantly extends the lifespan and durability of your ridge capping. This offers superior resistance to Sydney’s heavy rain and strong winds.

Rebedding and pointing costs

Pointing roof ridge tiles costs $20 to $25 per lineal metre. For an average-sized roof, the total cost can be around $1,500 to $2,500.

A typical pointing job includes:

Excessive amounts of moss and dirt is removed.
Replace any broken tiles under or near ridge caps.
Pointing all ridge caps using flexible flexi pointing matching the colour of the tiles.
Remove all rubbish from the job site.
Clean the gutters.

Here are the factors that can influence this price:

Extent of Damage: More significant deterioration of existing mortar will require more extensive preparation.
Roof Accessibility: Multi-story homes or roofs with challenging access points (e.g., steep pitches) may incur higher labour costs due to safety requirements and complexity.
Roof Size: Larger roofs naturally have more lineal metres of ridge capping.
Condition of Existing Mortar: If a full rebedding is required (removing all old mortar), this is more labour-intensive than simply repointing over existing sound mortar.

Get quotes from reputable, experienced, and licensed roofers. Steve is a licensed roof plumber, NSW Licence Number: 118020C.

We pride ourselves on transparent pricing and high-quality work. Be wary of significantly lower quotes as they may use lower quality material or preparation.

Re-pointing can be expensive because the job involves preparing the old surface, which is often dirty and tedious, and then carefully fitting and sealing the new flexible pointing.

Bedding vs. Pointing: What’s the Difference?

This is a common question, and it’s important to understand:

Rebedding: This is a more extensive process. It involves completely removing the existing ridge capping, stripping away all the old concrete/mortar, laying a new bed of sand/cement mortar, and then applying the flexible pointing over the top. This is done when the underlying bed is too degraded to simply repoint.
Repointing: This involves going over the existing capping that is still securely bedded. We water blast the old capping cement first to ensure the new flexible pointing adheres properly, providing a durable, weather-tight seal without needing to remove the entire ridge capping.

Can You Repoint a Roof Yourself?

No, unless you are a qualified and experienced roofer. Repointing a roof is a complex, physically demanding, and dangerous job. It requires specialised skills, the right tools, and a deep understanding of roofing materials and safety protocols.

Attempting to repoint your roof without proper experience can lead to:

Further Damage: Incorrect techniques can compromise your roof’s integrity, leading to leaks or dislodged tiles.
Personal Injury: Falls from roofs are serious and can be fatal.
Voiding Warranties: Improper work can void existing roof warranties.

Why is Roof Repointing Important

Repointing is far from a minor aesthetic fix; it’s an essential preventative maintenance task that will save you from significantly more costly repairs down the line and dramatically extend the life of your roof.

Ignoring cracked or missing mortar allows water to penetrate your roof structure. This can lead to:

Timber Rot and Decay: Damaging the internal wooden battens and trusses that support your roof.
Ceiling Damage: Unsightly and costly water stains, sagging, or even collapse.
Mould and Mildew: Health hazards within your attic and home.
Pest Infestation: Gaps can become entry points for possums, birds, and insects.

Getting Your Roof Repointed

While the 10-15 year guideline is a good reference, the actual frequency to get your roof repointed depends on your specific roof and local conditions.

If you notice any signs of damage contact Steve Moore at North Shore Roof Repairs today.

Operating 7 days a week, from 7 AM to 8 PM, we can visit at a time convenient for you.