The ridge and hip caps on a tile roof sit on a bed of mortar, finished with a layer of pointing on the outside. Over time, both break down. Which fix you need depends on which layer has failed.
| Repointing | Rebedding | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | New pointing compound applied over the existing bedding | Caps lifted, old mortar removed, caps re-laid on a fresh bed, then pointed |
| When it's right | Bedding is solid; only the outer pointing has cracked or weathered | Bedding is crumbling, caps are loose, crooked or lifting |
| Job size | Smaller | Bigger: more labour and materials |
Signs you need repointing
- Fine cracks in the pointing along the ridge
- Caps are firm and sitting straight
- No loose mortar falling into gutters
Signs you need rebedding
- Caps that rock or move when touched
- Mortar crumbling or missing, chunks in the gutter
- Caps sitting crooked or lifted
- Leaks near the ridge or hips
Why it matters which one you get
Repointing over failed bedding is like painting over rot: it looks tidy for a while, but the caps are still loose underneath and the problem comes back. On the other hand, there's no point paying for a full rebed when the bedding is still sound.
That's why our quotes come with photos of your ridges: you can see the condition for yourself. Get your ridges checked.