What Is Roof Repointing?
Roof repointing is the process of removing and replacing the mortar (pointing) that seals your ridge tiles — the long tiles that run along the peak of your roof — to the roof deck below. Over time, this mortar dries out, cracks, and separates. When it does, water can get under the ridge tiles and into your roof space.
Repointing is different from re-bedding. Rebedding involves replacing the sand-and-cement bed that physically holds the ridge tile in place. Repointing is the flexible sealant applied over the top of the bed to waterproof the joint. Modern practice uses a flexible polymer-modified compound rather than rigid cement, which handles Melbourne’s temperature extremes without cracking.
How Long Does Pointing Last?
Traditional sand-and-cement pointing has a lifespan of roughly 10–15 years in Melbourne’s climate. The combination of UV exposure, summer heat, and winter freeze-thaw cycles causes the mortar to become brittle and crack. Modern flexible pointing can last 15–25 years.
If your home is more than 10 years old and you’ve never had the pointing inspected, there’s a reasonable chance it needs attention.
5 Signs Your Pointing Needs Replacing
- Cracking or crumbling mortar visible along the ridge line
- Ridge tiles that shift or rattle when the wind picks up
- Mortar pieces in the gutters — the mortar is physically falling off
- Roof leak after rain — especially near the ridge
- More than 10–12 years since last repointing
What Does the Repointing Process Involve?
A professional repointing job typically follows this process:
- Inspection: The roofer walks the ridge and inspects every tile for movement, cracks, and mortar condition
- Remove old mortar: The cracked pointing is cut or ground away — never just painted over
- Check and repair bedding: If the sand-and-cement bed underneath is deteriorated or the tile is loose, it’s re-bedded before pointing
- Apply flexible pointing: A modern polymer compound is trowelled along the joint in a smooth, consistent bead
- Colour match: Quality pointing products are available in a range of colours to match your tiles
What Does Repointing Cost in Melbourne?
Repointing costs vary based on the length of ridge line, roof pitch (steeper = more equipment), and whether rebedding is also required. As a rough guide for a typical Melbourne house (4-bedroom, medium pitch):
- Repointing only: $800–$1,800
- Repointing + rebedding: $1,500–$3,500
- Large or complex roof: $3,000–$5,000+
Be wary of quotes that seem very cheap — cutting ridge caps to apply new pointing over old crumbling mortar is a common shortcut that fails within 2–3 years.
Can You Do It Yourself?
Repointing is technically possible as a DIY project on a single-storey home with a gentle pitch, but we’d advise against it for most homeowners. The risks include:
- Falls — working at ridge height requires proper harness and anchor equipment
- Tile damage — walking incorrectly on tiles can crack them
- Poor bond — surface prep and mixing ratios matter; an improperly applied pointing will fail quickly
For most situations, the cost of a professional job is modest enough that the safety and quality benefit is clearly worth it.
View our repointing service for pricing and suburb coverage, or use the form on this page to request a free assessment.
What Is Roof Repointing?
Roof repointing is the process of removing and replacing the mortar (pointing) that seals your ridge tiles, the long tiles that run along the peak of your roof, to the roof deck below. Over time, this mortar dries out, cracks, and separates. When it does, water can get under the ridge tiles and into your roof space.
Repointing is different from re-bedding. Rebedding involves replacing the sand-and-cement bed that physically holds the ridge tile in place. Repointing is the flexible sealant applied over the top of the bed to waterproof the joint. Modern practice uses a flexible polymer-modified compound rather than rigid cement, which handles Melbourne's temperature extremes without cracking.
How Long Does Pointing Last?
Traditional sand-and-cement pointing has a lifespan of roughly 10–15 years in Melbourne's climate. The combination of UV exposure, summer heat, and winter freeze-thaw cycles causes the mortar to become brittle and crack. Modern flexible pointing can last 15–25 years.
If your home is more than 10 years old and you've never had the pointing inspected, there's a reasonable chance it needs attention.
5 Signs Your Pointing Needs Replacing
- Cracking or crumbling mortar visible along the ridge line
- Ridge tiles that shift or rattle when the wind picks up
- Mortar pieces in the gutters: the mortar is physically falling off
- Roof leak after rain: especially near the ridge
- More than 10–12 years since last repointing
What Does the Repointing Process Involve?
A professional repointing job typically follows this process:
- Inspection: The roofer walks the ridge and inspects every tile for movement, cracks, and mortar condition
- Remove old mortar: The cracked pointing is cut or ground away, never just painted over
- Check and repair bedding: If the sand-and-cement bed underneath is deteriorated or the tile is loose, it's re-bedded before pointing
- Apply flexible pointing: A modern polymer compound is trowelled along the joint in a smooth, consistent bead
- Colour match: Quality pointing products are available in a range of colours to match your tiles
What Does Repointing Cost in Melbourne?
Repointing costs vary based on the length of ridge line, roof pitch (steeper = more equipment), and whether rebedding is also required. As a rough guide for a typical Melbourne house (4-bedroom, medium pitch):
- Repointing only: $800–$1,800
- Repointing + rebedding: $1,500–$3,500
- Large or complex roof: $3,000–$5,000+
Be wary of quotes that seem very cheap; cutting ridge caps to apply new pointing over old crumbling mortar is a common shortcut that fails within 2–3 years.
Can You Do It Yourself?
Repointing is technically possible as a DIY project on a single-storey home with a gentle pitch, but we'd advise against it for most homeowners. The risks include:
- Falls: working at ridge height requires proper harness and anchor equipment
- Tile damage: walking incorrectly on tiles can crack them
- Poor bond: surface prep and mixing ratios matter; an improperly applied pointing will fail quickly
For most situations, the cost of a professional job is modest enough that the safety and quality benefit is clearly worth it.
View our repointing service for pricing and suburb coverage, or use the form on this page to request a free assessment.