Free roof inspection and an obligation-free quote.
Roof Repointing Melbourne
Repointing and re-bedding on terracotta and concrete tiled roofs — the commonest job on a tiled roof, and the one most often mistaken for needing a whole new one.
What repointing actually is
The ridge capping along the top of your roof, and the capping down the hips, is not fixed with screws. It sits on a bed of mortar, and the visible mortar joint holding it in place is the pointing.
Over decades that pointing cracks, crazes and drops out. You can usually see it from the ground — dark gaps along the ridge line, or pieces of mortar in the gutter. Once it has gone, wind-driven rain gets under the capping and into the roof space, and in a strong enough gust the capping itself can lift.
This is a repair, not a new roof. The tiles are generally fine. It is the mortar holding the capping that has aged out.
Repointing and re-bedding are not the same thing
Worth understanding, because the difference is most of the cost.
Repointing replaces the visible mortar joint. The capping stays where it is, the old pointing is cut out, and a new flexible pointing compound goes on.
Re-bedding means lifting the capping tiles off, removing the old mortar bed underneath, and laying them again on fresh mortar. It is the bigger job, and it is what is needed when the bed itself has failed — when capping is loose, rocking or sitting unevenly.
Plenty of roofs need repointing only. Some need re-bedding along one exposed ridge and repointing everywhere else. We will tell you which after looking, rather than pricing the bigger job by default.
Flexible pointing, not cement
Older roofs were pointed with a sand and cement mortar, which is rigid. A roof moves — it expands in summer, contracts in winter, and shifts slightly as the house does. Rigid mortar cracks under that movement, which is why so much of it has failed.
We use a flexible pointing compound, which accommodates that movement instead of fighting it. It also comes in a range of colours, so the pointing can match the tile or contrast with it deliberately — on a job in Glen Iris the owner asked for black pointing against Tanbark terracotta, which is unusual and works well.
When repointing is enough — and when it is not
Repointing fixes the mortar. It does not fix anything underneath it.
If the sarking, battens or fixings have reached the end of their life, repointing will look fine and the roof will still fail, because the problem is beneath the tiles. That is the one thing we check for before recommending it, and the one thing that turns a repair into a re-roof.
The same applies to rusted valley irons. New pointing on a roof with a failed valley is money spent on the wrong thing.
We inspect first and tell you honestly. Plenty of roofs we look at need pointing and a valley cleared, and nothing more.
How long it takes
Repointing a typical house roof is generally a day. Re-bedding and repointing together runs to two or three days depending on the length of the ridges and hips and how much capping has to come off.
Access matters too. A steep roof or a difficult site takes longer to scaffold safely, and that belongs in the quote rather than appearing later as a variation.
What we work on
Terracotta and concrete tiled roofs only — no metal, no Colorbond, no slate. We are a dual supplier of Monier and Bristile, so where capping needs replacing rather than re-bedding we can usually match what is already there.
Some of our recent projects
WHAT FAILS FIRST
Signs your roof needs repointing
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Ridge capping mortar dropping out
The commonest fault here. On its own it is a repair, not a new roof.
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Concrete tiles gone chalky and faded
The surface coating has broken down, not the tile. This is what a restoration is for.
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Stains appearing inside
Often a rusted valley iron, and the stain usually shows up nowhere near the actual fault.
WHY US
Why call us for repointing
We are based here
You can see the tiles in person
We know both halves of the suburb
Tile only, and we say so
Related Services
Roof Repointing Melbourne
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my roof needs repointing?
Look along the ridge line from the ground. Dark gaps where mortar has dropped out, or crumbled mortar in the gutter, are the signs. If you can see daylight or gaps under the capping, it is due.
Is repointing the same as a roof restoration?
No. Repointing is one part of it. A full restoration usually means a clean, repointing and a recoat. Plenty of roofs need only the pointing done, and we will say so rather than selling you the whole package.
What is the difference between repointing and re-bedding?
Repointing replaces the visible mortar joint and leaves the capping in place. Re-bedding lifts the capping off and lays it again on fresh mortar. Re-bedding is the bigger job and is needed when the capping is loose or rocking.
Why use flexible pointing instead of cement?
Because a roof moves with temperature and with the house. Rigid sand-and-cement mortar cracks under that movement, which is why the original pointing on most older roofs has failed. Flexible compound accommodates it.
Will repointing stop my roof leaking?
If the leak is coming in under the capping, yes. If it is a rusted valley iron, a failed flashing or perished sarking, no — and new pointing would be money spent on the wrong thing. That is why we inspect before quoting.
Can pointing be colour matched?
Yes. Flexible pointing comes in a range of colours, so it can match the tile closely or contrast with it if that is the look you want.
How long does repointing last?
Decades, done properly with a flexible compound. The original cement pointing on many Melbourne roofs lasted fifty years or more before it failed, and it was the rigid kind.
Tiled roof that needs looking at?
Cracked pointing along the ridge, or mortar in the gutter? It is usually a repair rather than a new roof, and we will tell you which.
Free inspection and obligation-free quote. Call 03 9888 7088, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm. Safety is always our first priority — hand-rail, scaffolding or a roof harness is used on every job and included in the quote.
