Roof pointing - the bedding and pointing of ridge caps and hip caps - is a precision job that protects the joints where tiles meet. In Canberra, most homeowners pay between $1,400 and $2,500 for a typical pointing repair, though the final cost depends on how much of your roof needs work and how badly the existing mortar has failed.
Ridge and hip caps sit on top of your roof tiles and run along the peaks and slopes. They are held in place with a mortar bed underneath and mortar pointing between the tiles. Over time, Canberra's frost-heavy winters and temperature swings crack and perish this mortar, and it falls away. When the bedding fails, water seeps underneath the caps, into the roof structure and down into your roof space. When the pointing fails, water runs between the tiles.
The cost to repair this damage is not a simple per-metre rate because pointing work is skilled and time-intensive. A roofer has to:
If the bedding is cracked but solid, a re-point only (new mortar between the caps) is quicker and costs less than a full re-bed and re-point. If the bedding has failed and the caps are loose or moving, re-bedding is the proper repair. The mortar underneath must be replaced to stop water getting in behind the caps.
A typical pointing job on a single-storey home - around 15 to 20 metres of ridge cap with moderate mortar failure - sits in the $1,400 to $2,500 range. Larger homes, multiple hips, or severe failure push toward the upper end. A smaller repair of 5 metres of pointing with sound bedding might cost a few hundred dollars. The only way to know your exact cost is to have a roofer inspect the roof. We offer a free roof estimate (takes about 30 minutes, you get a written quote) or a $99 roof inspection (60 minutes, full report with photos and a quotation). Either way, you will know the scope and the price before you decide.
Extent of damage. If only the pointing is failing and the bedding is solid, the work is faster. If both are cracked or loose, the whole system must come apart and go back together. That takes longer and costs more.
Height and access. A hip cap on a steep roof or a gable end higher than the ridge costs more labour because access is harder and the roofer must work more carefully. We use scaffolding or elevated work platforms where needed to stay safe.
Weather delays. Pointing must be done in dry conditions and the mortar must cure properly before rain. If we have to reschedule for weather, that can add time. We always rebook promptly and adjust the schedule.
Material type. The mortar itself is inexpensive. The skill and time are the cost drivers. Some older roofs use lime mortar; newer roofs typically use a cement mortar. We match the original so the repair lasts.
Local factors. Canberra's winter frosts and summer temperature swings accelerate mortar failure. If your caps are already loose or moving, the job is more complex.
A pointing repair fixes a defined fault - the failed mortar on one or two sides of the roof. You get water-tightness back and your roof stays sound for years.
A roof restoration is a larger undertaking: it cleans the whole roof, re-beds and re-points all the caps and ridges, and applies a protective roof coating. A restoration can extend the life of the roof by 10 to 15 years or more. A restoration takes 3 to 5 days. On a single-storey home, a concrete tile roof restoration ranges from $11,000 to $18,000, a terracotta roof from $12,500 to $20,500, and a metal roof from $5,500 to $9,500. Terracotta is heavier and more labour-intensive than concrete, which is why the cost is higher.
Choose a repair if the damage is localised and recent. Choose a restoration if your roof is 15 to 25 years old, the pointing and bedding are failing across much of it, and you want to protect it for another decade.
If you think your ridge or hip caps are failing, do not climb onto the roof yourself. That is a fall risk. A roofer can inspect the damage, explain what is needed, and give you a clear written quote. You can then decide what makes sense for your home.
To book a free estimate or a $99 inspection, visit leakyroof.com.au/book or call (02) 5133 5608. We aim to respond within one business hour.
What a roof restoration actually costs in Canberra, by roof material and by home size, what the price includes, what pushes it up or down, and how to tell whether restoration or replacement is the better spend.
Wondering what a roof repair will set you back in Canberra? This guide breaks down typical costs by repair type, what drives the price up or down, and how to get the best outcome for your home.
Thinking about replacing your roof with Colorbond? This guide breaks down Canberra prices for metal re-roofing and tile-to-Colorbond conversions, what drives the cost, and what to expect from the process.
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