Ridge Capping Repairs & Repointing in Canberra
Fix cracked mortar, loose ridge caps, and stop water from entering your roof. Expert re-bedding and re-pointing for tile roofs across all ACT suburbs.
Canberra's Freeze-Thaw Cycle Destroys Ridge Capping
Ridge capping is the row of shaped tiles or metal caps that sit along the peaks and hips of your roof. On tile roofs, these caps are held in place by a bed of mortar (bedding) and sealed with a flexible compound (pointing). It is one of the most exposed parts of your roof and - in Canberra - one of the first things to fail.
Here is why: Canberra regularly dips below zero overnight in winter, then warms up during the day. Water seeps into the mortar, freezes, expands, and cracks it. Repeat that cycle 50-60 times over a single winter and the mortar breaks apart, caps come loose, and water pours straight into your roof cavity. We see more ridge capping failures in Canberra than almost any other roof problem.
The fix involves two stages - re-bedding and re-pointing. Re-bedding means removing the old crumbled mortar and resetting the caps on a fresh bed of flexible compound. Re-pointing means applying a new flexible sealant over the bedding to create a waterproof seal. Using flexible compounds rather than rigid cement is critical in Canberra because they can handle the thermal expansion and contraction without cracking.
Key Points
- Re-bedding and re-pointing with flexible, frost-resistant compound
- Fixes the #1 cause of roof leaks in Canberra tile roofs
- Stops water entry at ridge lines, hip lines, and junctions
- Prevents loose caps from lifting or falling in high winds
- Colour-matched pointing for a clean finish
- All concrete and terracotta tile roofs
- 5-year workmanship guarantee
- Typically completed in 1-2 days
Everything You Get with This Service
Full Ridge & Hip Inspection
We inspect every metre of ridge and hip capping on your roof to identify cracked bedding, failed pointing, loose caps, and any caps that have already shifted out of position.
Old Mortar Removal
All deteriorated bedding and pointing is carefully removed without damaging the underlying tiles. This is done by hand to avoid cracking the ridge caps or the tiles they sit on.
Re-bedding with Flexible Compound
Ridge caps are reset on a fresh bed of flexible, frost-resistant compound. Unlike rigid cement, this flexes with Canberra's temperature swings instead of cracking apart every winter.
Re-pointing with Colour-Matched Sealant
A flexible pointing sealant is applied over the bedding to create a waterproof seal. We colour-match the pointing to your existing roof so the repair blends in cleanly.
Hip Capping Repairs
Hip caps (the angled lines running from the ridge down to the gutters) are treated the same way. These are just as vulnerable to frost damage and are often overlooked until they start leaking.
Debris Clean-Up
All old mortar, dust, and debris is cleaned off your roof and out of your gutters before we leave. We leave the job site cleaner than we found it.
How It Works
Roof Inspection to Assess Condition
We get up on the roof and inspect all ridge and hip capping, identify failures, and provide a clear quote for the work needed.
Remove Old Bedding & Pointing
All cracked, loose, and deteriorated mortar is carefully removed by hand. Caps are lifted and cleaned ready for re-bedding.
Re-bed with Flexible Compound
Caps are reset on fresh flexible bedding compound that is rated for Canberra's freeze-thaw conditions and thermal movement.
Re-point with Colour-Matched Mortar
A flexible, UV-stable pointing sealant is applied over the bedding for a waterproof, long-lasting, and clean-looking finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Services
Roof Repairs
General roof repairs covering broken tiles, damaged flashing, storm damage, and structural issues across all roof types.
Learn moreRoof Restoration
A full restoration includes ridge capping repairs as part of the complete package - cleaning, repairs, re-pointing, and coating.
Learn moreLeak Repairs
If your ridge capping has already failed and water is getting in, we provide emergency leak repairs with same-day service available.
Learn moreRoof Inspection
A $99 roof inspection covers ridge capping condition along with every other component. Full report with photos within 24 hours.
Learn moreProtect Your Roof from Canberra's Winters
Book a free estimate or call us now. We'll give you an honest assessment and a clear quote - no pressure.
Mon-Sun 9am-5pm - All ACT suburbs - 5-year guarantee