Roof tile pointing is the finishing layer that seals the ridge and hip caps to the bedding underneath. Traditional sand and cement pointing is rigid, so it cracks as the roof moves with heat and wind. Flexible pointing compounds stay elastic, bond to the bedding and tiles, and are now the standard choice for repointing Melbourne roofs.
The short answer
- Bedding holds the ridge caps; pointing seals and finishes
- Cement pointing cracks as the roof moves
- Flexible pointing stays elastic and resists UV
- Every ridge and hip tile must be fixed
- Rake out loose material before repointing
Bedding vs pointing
Ridge and hip caps sit over the joins where roof slopes meet. Underneath them is the bedding: a mortar bed, traditionally sand, cement and oxide, that supports each cap. Over the bedding is the pointing, the thin outer layer that seals the edge of the cap and gives a neat finish.
If only the pointing has cracked, the roof needs repointing. If the bedding has crumbled and the caps are loose, it needs rebedding first.
Why cement pointing cracks
A roof moves. Tiles and timber expand in summer heat, contract on cold nights and flex in wind. Cement pointing is brittle, so over years it develops hairline cracks, then larger cracks, and finally pieces drop away. Water then gets into the bedding, the bedding breaks down, and the caps can loosen.
- Cracks along the edge of the ridge caps
- Pieces of mortar in the gutters
- Ridge caps that move when pressed
- Water stains on ceilings near the ridge or hips
How flexible pointing compares
| Cement pointing | Flexible pointing | |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Rigid, cracks with movement | Elastic, moves with the roof |
| Adhesion | Relies on the mix and conditions | Formulated to bond to bedding and tiles |
| Colour | Oxide-tinted on site | Factory colours to suit the tiles |
| Fixing role | Finish only | Can be a permitted ridge fixing where it complies with AS 2050 |
We stock IRC Point Protect Flexi and RGL Supa Point in a range of colours. See flexible pointing.
What the building code says
The National Construction Code housing provisions (Part 7.3) require ridge, hip, barge and valley tiles to be fixed individually in wind classes N1 to N3. The permitted fixings include galvanised clout nails, screws, purpose-made clips, or flexible pointing material complying with AS 2050. Nails and screws must reach at least 15 mm into the batten. Check the product's documentation and your site's wind class before relying on pointing alone.
Repoint or rebed?
The answer depends on what is underneath the cracked pointing.
| What you find | Job |
|---|---|
| Hairline cracks, caps firm, bedding solid | Repoint |
| Pointing falling away, bedding sound underneath | Rake out and repoint |
| Caps move when pressed, bedding crumbles | Rebed, then point |
| Broken or missing ridge caps | Replace caps, rebed and point |
Rebedding means lifting the caps, removing the old bedding, laying fresh bedding mortar and resetting each cap in line before pointing. It is more work, but pointing over failed bedding only hides the problem.
How repointing is done
Walking on tiles cracks them and puts you at risk of a fall. WorkSafe Victoria treats falls from roofs as a serious hazard and puts edge protection ahead of ladders and harnesses. If you are not trained and equipped to work at height, use this guide to buy the right products and brief a roofer.
- Inspect every ridge and hip cap and mark loose ones.
- Rake out cracked and loose pointing with a wire brush or scraper.
- Rebed any loose caps on fresh bedding, using a bedding frame to keep lines straight.
- Clean dust and debris so the new pointing can bond.
- Apply the flexible pointing with a gauging trowel and tool it to a smooth bead.
- Wipe residue off the tiles with a damp sponge before it cures.
Follow the manufacturer's directions for weather, application thickness and curing time.
Choosing a colour
Pointing is visible from the street along every ridge and hip, so colour matters. If the roof is staying as it is, choose a pointing colour close to the tiles, or a neutral charcoal or grey that reads as a shadow line. If the roof is about to be restored, choose a colour to suit the new membrane colour, or let the membrane coat over the cured pointing as the coating system allows. Both IRC Point Protect and RGL Supa Point come in a range of colours, including terracotta, browns, greys and charcoal.
What you need
- Flexible pointing in a colour to suit the tiles
- Ancora gauging trowels in 152mm, 178mm or 203mm, wire brush, sponges and a bucket boot from roofing materials
- For rebedding: bedding frames, bedding sand and oxide
- Replacement ridge caps if any are broken: terracotta ridge caps and trims
Not keen on working at height? Our sister business Royce Roofing rebeds and repoints ridge caps across Melbourne.
Common questions
What is roof tile pointing?
The outer layer that seals ridge and hip caps to the bedding underneath. It keeps water out and gives the ridge a neat finish.
Is flexible pointing better than cement?
For most roofs, yes. It stays elastic as the roof moves, so it resists the cracking that cement pointing suffers over time.
How often does a roof need repointing?
There is no fixed interval. Repoint when the pointing is cracked, pieces are falling into the gutters or caps are loose.
Can you apply flexible pointing over old cement pointing?
Only over sound material. Loose and cracked pointing should be raked out first so the new compound bonds properly.
Do ridge caps need to be fixed?
Yes. The NCC requires each ridge and hip tile to be fixed, using nails, screws, clips or flexible pointing that complies with AS 2050.
Related
Sources: NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 7.3: Roof tiles and shingles; WorkSafe Victoria: Prevention of falls in housing construction.
