Expert ridge cap re-bedding and repointing services for tile roofs across Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and all Illawarra suburbs. We use premium flexible pointing compounds for long-lasting, weathertight results backed by our workmanship warranty.
Ridge cap repointing in the Wollongong, Shellharbour, and Kiama areas typically costs between $35 and $65 per linear metre, depending on accessibility, roof pitch, and the condition of the existing bedding. A standard single-storey home with 15–25 metres of ridge line generally costs $800–$1,500 for repointing alone. Full re-bedding and repointing runs $60–$120 per metre. Palmers Roofing provides free on-site quotes so you know the exact price before any work begins.
Re-bedding involves removing the ridge caps entirely, stripping away the old sand and cement mortar bed, and relaying each cap on fresh bedding compound. Repointing is the process of replacing just the visible mortar seal (pointing) between ridge caps without disturbing the underlying bed. If your bedding is still solid and well-bonded, repointing alone may be sufficient. If the bed has crumbled, cracked, or separated from the tiles, a full re-bed and repoint is necessary for a lasting repair.
Traditional cement pointing is rigid and cannot accommodate the natural thermal expansion and contraction of roof tiles — which can be significant in the Illawarra where summer surface temperatures exceed 65°C and winter nights drop below 5°C. This thermal cycling causes cement pointing to crack and separate within a few years. Flexible pointing compounds are formulated to stretch and compress with the roof, maintaining a continuous seal through decades of temperature changes, and they resist salt air degradation far better than cement in coastal areas.
The most obvious signs include visible cracks in the pointing mortar along the ridge line, pieces of cement mortar in your gutters or on the ground around your home, ridge caps that appear lifted or misaligned when viewed from ground level, and water stains on ceilings near the centre of your home (which is directly beneath the ridge). During heavy rain, water entering through failed ridge cap mortar flows down the underside of tiles and can travel some distance before dripping through — making the leak source difficult to pinpoint without a professional inspection.
Most residential ridge cap repointing jobs are completed within a single day. A typical home with 15–25 metres of ridge line takes 3–5 hours for repointing and 5–8 hours for a full re-bed and repoint. Larger homes, multi-storey properties, or complex roof designs with multiple hip lines may take 1–2 days. We always provide a time estimate with your quote and aim to minimise disruption to your household.
Yes. All ridge cap re-bedding and repointing work completed by Palmers Roofing is covered by our written workmanship warranty. We use premium flexible bedding and pointing compounds from reputable Australian manufacturers that carry their own product warranties. Our work complies with AS 2050 (Roof Tiling) and the National Construction Code, and we are fully licensed (NSW Building Licence 168816C) and insured for all residential and commercial roofing work across the Illawarra.