# Roof repointing and ridge capping in Perth

URL: https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-repointing-perth/
Updated: 2026-10-17

> Roof repointing renews the pointing, the visible flexible or mortar finish that seals ridge and hip caps on a tile roof. Where the bedding underneath has cracked or the caps have come loose, the caps are lifted and rebedded before repointing. An inspection should establish which ridges need which treatment, because new pointing over failed bedding does not last.

On a tile roof, the joints along the top (the ridge) and down the sloping corners (the hips) are covered with curved or angled caps. On most older Perth tile roofs those caps sit on a bed of sand-and-cement mortar and are sealed along their edges with pointing. When the pointing cracks or falls away, water can get under the caps, and when the bedding fails the caps themselves can loosen or move in wind.

Ridge work is one of the most common items in tile roof quotes and building inspection reports. It is often done as part of a [roof restoration](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-restoration-perth/), but it can be a standalone job on a roof that is otherwise in good condition.

*Diagram: The parts of a tiled roof at the ridge. Pointing is the visible finish; bedding is the mortar beneath the ridge cap.*
## What is the difference between bedding and pointing?

They are two separate layers, and quotes often treat them differently.

| Layer | What it is | What failure looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Ridge or hip cap | The curved or angled tile covering the joint between roof slopes | Cap sitting crooked, rocking, cracked or missing |
| Bedding | Sand-and-cement mortar beneath the cap, filling the gap between cap and tiles and holding the cap in line | Mortar crumbling, gaps under the cap, caps loose when touched |
| Pointing | The finishing layer over the edges of the bedding that seals the joint, traditionally mortar and now often a flexible compound | Hairline or wide cracks, pieces missing, pointing lifting away |

**Repointing** removes loose or cracked pointing and applies a new layer over sound bedding. **Rebedding** lifts the caps, removes the old mortar, lays fresh bedding, resets the caps and then points them. Rebedding is more work, so it should only be specified where the bedding has actually failed.

## Signs you may need repointing or rebedding

You can often see ridge problems from the ground with a phone camera zoomed in, or from a neighbour's upstairs window.


- Cracked, patchy or missing pointing along a ridge or hip.
- Pieces of mortar or grit collecting in the gutters or on paths.
- Ridge caps that look out of line or have visible gaps beneath them.
- A cap missing or broken after strong wind.
- Ceiling stains along the line of a ridge or near where hips meet.
- A building or pre-purchase inspection report noting ridge defects.

Inspection reports often use short phrases such as "ridge pointing deteriorated". Our guide to [roof issues in building inspection reports](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/roof-issues-in-building-inspection-reports/) explains what those notes usually mean.

## Repointing or rebedding: which is needed?

The choice depends on the bedding, which can only be properly judged on the roof. As a general guide:

| What is found | Usual approach |
|---|---|
| Pointing cracked, bedding firm, caps tight | Repointing |
| Some caps loose, the rest firm | Rebedding the loose sections, repointing the remainder |
| Bedding crumbling along most of a ridge | Rebedding that ridge |
| Caps cracked or broken | Replacing caps, then bedding and pointing them |

If one quote says "full rebed" and another says "repoint", ask each contractor what they found in the bedding and to show photos. The [guide to comparing roofing quotes](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/comparing-roofing-quotes/) has more on reading scope differences.

## Flexible pointing compounds or mortar?

Traditional pointing was a sand-and-cement mortar, which is rigid. Roofs move with heat, wind and settling, so rigid pointing can crack over time, especially through Perth's long, hot summers. Many contractors now use flexible pointing compounds, which are designed to stay slightly elastic and bond to the caps and bedding.

Products differ in how thickly they should be applied, how long they take to cure and whether they need a primer. Ask for the product name so you can check the manufacturer's instructions and any product warranty conditions. The [roof glossary](https://perthroofquotes.com/guides/roof-glossary/) defines the terms you will see on quotes.

## Hips, gables and junctions

Ridge work is not only the top of the roof. A quote should say which of these are included:

- **Hips**, the sloping ridges that run from the main ridge down to the corners of a hipped roof.
- **Gable edges**, where a gable roof ends in a triangular wall; the edge tiles or caps along the slope are often bedded and pointed too.
- **Junctions and hip ends**, where hips meet the ridge and where hips finish at the gutter. These need careful bedding because several pieces meet.

*Image: The same ridge after repointing with a flexible compound in a colour matched to the tiles.*
## How are repointing quotes measured?

Contractors commonly price ridge work in one of two ways:

- **By the lineal metre** of ridge and hip, sometimes with separate rates for repointing and rebedding.
- **As a fixed price for the roof**, covering all the ridges and hips described in the scope.

Either can be fair. What matters is knowing the total length assumed, which sections are being rebedded, and how extra rebedding found during the job will be handled. A hipped roof has hips as well as a ridge, so two homes with the same floor area can need quite different lengths of ridge work.

## What should a repointing quote clarify?

- **Which ridges and hips** are included, and the length assumed.
- **How much is rebedded** and how much is only repointed.
- **The pointing product** and its colour.
- **Cap replacement**: how many broken caps are allowed for, and whether matching caps are available.
- **Extra work**: how loose caps found during the job will be priced and approved. A tradesperson must get your permission before doing extra work.

## What is usually included, and what is not?

| Usually included | Often extra or excluded | Worth asking about |
|---|---|---|
| Removing loose or cracked pointing | Rebedding beyond the stated length | How loose caps are identified |
| Applying new pointing to stated ridges | Replacing broken caps | Whether hips and gable edges are included |
| Rebedding stated sections | Replacing broken tiles near the ridge | The product name and colour |
| Clean-up of old mortar from gutters | Roof coating | Whether gutters are cleared afterwards |

## What affects the price of roof repointing?

- **Total length** of ridges, hips and gable edges.
- **Rebedding versus repointing.** Rebedding takes considerably more labour.
- **Height, pitch and access.** Working along a two-storey ridge needs edge protection or scaffolding.
- **Cap condition.** Broken caps, and how hard matching replacements are to find.
- **Product.** Different flexible pointing compounds have different costs.
- **Whether it is part of a larger job.** Ridge work done during a restoration may share set-up and access costs.

For how ridge work sits alongside other repair items on a quote, see [roof repair costs in Perth](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-repair-cost-perth/).

[Request a roof quote](https://perthroofquotes.com/quote/)
## Should pointing match the tile colour?

Pointing compounds come in a range of colours, so it is usual to choose one close to the ridge caps. If the roof will be coated afterwards, the colour matters less, because the coating usually goes over the pointing as well. On a roof that will not be coated, a well-matched colour helps the work blend in; ask to see the colour on a sample or a previous job.

## Repointing before a roof coating

In a restoration, ridge work is done before the roof is coated, so the coating covers fresh, sound pointing rather than cracked material. The pointing usually needs to cure before it is coated, and the time depends on the product and the weather. Ask whether the coating is compatible with the pointing compound. See [roof painting](https://perthroofquotes.com/roof-painting-perth/) for more on coating systems.

## Questions to ask the contractor


- Which ridges and hips need rebedding, and which only repointing? Can you show me photos?
- What length of ridge and hip is the quote based on?
- Which pointing product will you use, and in what colour?
- How many broken caps are allowed for, and can you match them?
- How will you price any extra rebedding found once work starts?
- Will you clear mortar and grit from the gutters when you finish?

## Frequently asked questions

### How can I tell from the ground whether my ridge caps need attention?
Look for cracked or missing pointing, caps that sit out of line and mortar fragments in the gutters. A zoomed phone photo from the ground or an upstairs window often shows enough to mention in an enquiry, but only an on-roof inspection can confirm whether the bedding is sound.

### Can ridge repointing be done without coating the whole roof?
Yes. Repointing is often a standalone job on a tile roof that does not need coating. Choosing a pointing colour close to the caps helps the new work blend in.

### Do terracotta roofs need repointing too?
Yes. Terracotta roofs also have ridge and hip caps on mortar bedding, and the pointing cracks in the same way. The approach is similar, although older terracotta caps can be brittle and may break when lifted for rebedding.

### Will repointing stop a leak along the ridge?
It can, if cracked pointing or loose caps are letting water in. If the leak is actually coming from a nearby cracked tile, a flashing or a valley, repointing alone will not fix it, so ask how the source was confirmed.

### Can just one section of ridge be rebedded?
Often, yes. Where only a few caps are loose, those sections can be rebedded and the rest repointed. The quote should name the sections and the approximate length.