What roof repointing involves
On a traditional roof, the ridge tiles along the top and the verge along the gable ends are bedded and pointed in sand and cement mortar. That mortar takes the brunt of the weather. Over time it shrinks, cracks and washes out, and you'll often find lumps of it in the gutter. Roof repointing means renewing that mortar so the tiles are held firmly and the joints are sealed again.
Signs your ridge needs attention
- Pieces of mortar in the gutter or on the ground below the ridge.
- Gaps visible between ridge tiles or under their edges.
- A ridge tile that rocks, has slipped or has come off in wind.
- Damp patches in the loft along the line of the ridge.
- Crumbling mortar along the verge on the gable end.
Repointing or rebedding?
Where the bedding underneath is sound and only the outer pointing has gone, the joints can sometimes be raked out and repointed. More often on an older roof, the bedding itself has failed, so the ridge tiles are carefully lifted, the old mortar cleaned off, and the tiles rebedded on fresh mortar and pointed. Any cracked ridge tiles are replaced with matching ones where possible. We'll explain which applies once we've seen the ridge.
Mortar repointing versus dry fix
Repointing keeps the traditional mortar finish, which suits many older homes and matches neighbouring roofs. The alternative is a mechanically fixed dry ridge system, which doesn't rely on mortar at all. Each has its place, and the choice depends on the roof, the tiles and your preference. Our dry ridge and dry verge page explains the dry fix option in detail, so this page sticks to the mortar route.
The right mortar mix
A mix that is too strong can crack and pull away from the tiles, while one that is too weak washes out quickly. The mix is matched to the tiles and the exposure of the roof. On very old roofs with soft clay tiles, a gentler mix is often kinder to the tiles.
Access and weather
Ridge work needs safe access, which can mean roof ladders on a low bungalow or scaffold on a taller house. Mortar needs dry, frost-free weather to cure, so we plan the work around the forecast.
Part of a wider repair
While we're on the ridge, we can check nearby tiles, flashings and the chimney. If you've got other faults too, our main roof repair page covers the full range, and chimney mortar is covered separately on the chimney repointing page.
Book a free quote
We cover Somerset and Devon, within about 50 miles of Taunton. Call 07399 680142 or send us your details. A photo of the ridge from the garden is a great help.