Cracked or missing mortar on your ridge caps lets water in and tiles blow off. Here's when you need repointing, rebedding, or full replacement.
Ridge capping consists of the shaped tiles or metal caps that sit along the peak (ridge) of your roof where two sloping planes meet. On tiled roofs, these caps are bedded in mortar and sealed with a flexible pointing compound.
Over time, this mortar system fails:
• **Thermal cycling** — daily heating and cooling causes mortar to expand and contract, eventually cracking • **UV degradation** — sun exposure breaks down the flexible pointing compound, causing it to crack and peel • **Storm impact** — heavy rain and wind dislodge weakened mortar • **Age** — standard mortar bedding lasts 15–25 years before requiring maintenance • **Original quality** — poorly mixed mortar or inadequate pointing at installation fails sooner
On the Central Coast, the combination of coastal UV exposure, salt air, and summer storms means ridge capping typically needs attention every 15–20 years.
These terms are often confused, but they describe different levels of work:
**Repointing (minor maintenance):** Repointing involves removing the old flexible pointing compound from the top of the mortar bed and applying new pointing. The mortar bed underneath remains in place. This is suitable when: • The mortar bed is still solid and intact • Only the surface pointing has cracked or peeled • Ridge caps are still firmly attached
**Rebedding (major restoration):** Rebedding involves removing the ridge caps entirely, chipping off all old mortar, re-laying fresh mortar bedding, repositioning the caps, and applying new flexible pointing. This is required when: • Mortar has crumbled or separated from the tiles • Ridge caps are loose or rocking • Caps have shifted position • Water is entering through the ridge line
In most cases, if a roof is old enough to need repointing, the mortar bed has also deteriorated and rebedding is the correct solution. A roofer who only repoints over failed mortar is applying a cosmetic fix to a structural problem.
Pricing depends on roof size, access, and whether you need repointing or full rebedding:
**Repointing only:** • Per lineal metre: $18–$30 • Average single-storey home (40–60m of ridge): $800–$1,800
**Full rebedding and repointing:** • Per lineal metre: $45–$75 • Average single-storey home: $2,500–$5,000 • Large or two-storey home: $4,000–$9,000+
**Additional costs:** • Scaffold hire (two-storey): $800–$2,000 • Broken tile replacement: $15–$40 per tile • Hip capping (if included): adds 30–50% to total
We provide fixed-price quotes after a roof inspection. Our quotes include all materials, labour, scaffold (if required), and a workmanship warranty.
Check for these indicators:
• Visible cracks in the mortar or pointing along the ridge line (visible from ground level with binoculars) • Pieces of mortar in your gutters or on the ground around the house • Ridge caps that appear crooked or out of alignment • Water stains on ceilings directly below the ridge line • Ridge caps that move when touched (if you can safely access them) • Pointing that has turned white, chalky, or is peeling away
After any major storm, check your ridge line from ground level. Displaced or cracked capping is one of the most common storm damage items — and one of the easiest to miss until water damage appears inside.
A professional rebedding job follows this sequence:
1. **Roof inspection and quote** — we assess the full ridge, hip, and any associated damage 2. **Setup** — scaffold or roof access equipment positioned safely 3. **Cap removal** — ridge caps carefully lifted and set aside (reusable caps are cleaned and re-laid) 4. **Mortar removal** — old mortar chipped away and ridge tiles cleaned 5. **Re-bedding** — fresh mortar mix applied and caps re-laid level and aligned 6. **Pointing** — flexible pointing compound applied over the mortar bed to seal against water 7. **Cleanup** — all debris removed, gutters cleared of mortar fragments 8. **Final inspection** — alignment checked, photos provided
Typical timeframe: 1–2 days for an average single-storey home. Two-storey or complex roofs may take 2–3 days.
Typically every 15–25 years, depending on exposure. Coastal properties and north-facing ridges deteriorate faster due to UV and salt exposure. We recommend a visual inspection every 5 years after the 10-year mark.
While DIY repointing products exist, working at ridge height is extremely dangerous without proper equipment and fall protection. Falls from roofs are a leading cause of serious injury in Australia. We strongly recommend professional installation with proper safety systems.
Mortar is the thick cement-based bed that holds the ridge cap in position. Pointing is the flexible sealant applied over the mortar to waterproof the joint. Both are required for a complete, watertight ridge capping system.
Insurance covers ridge capping damage from a specific event (storm, hail). It does not cover deterioration from age or wear. If a storm has dislodged caps, document the damage with photos and contact your insurer before arranging repairs.
Ridge Capping Cracking? Get a Quote
Professional rebedding and repointing across the Central Coast, Sydney, and Newcastle. Fixed-price quotes after inspection.