Professional Ridge Cap Re-Bedding & Re-Pointing in Perth

What Is Ridge Capping and Why Does It Matter?

Ridge capping refers to the shaped tiles or metal caps that sit along the peak (ridge) of your roof where two opposing roof planes meet. These caps serve a critical waterproofing function: they seal the highest point of the roof, preventing rain, wind-driven moisture, and debris from entering the roof cavity below.

Each ridge cap is held in place by a mortar bed and finished with a pointing compound along the edges. When this bedding and pointing remain intact, the ridge line stays watertight. However, Perth’s extreme climate makes ridge capping one of the most common failure points on any tiled roof.

Why Ridge Capping Fails in Perth

Perth experiences some of the most punishing thermal cycling in Australia. Summer rooftop temperatures regularly exceed 65 degrees Celsius on dark tiles, then drop sharply overnight. This constant expansion and contraction places enormous stress on rigid cement mortar, causing it to crack and crumble over time.

The key factors that accelerate ridge capping failure in Perth include:

• Thermal movement — Daily heating and cooling cycles cause tiles and mortar to expand and contract at different rates, breaking the bond.
• UV degradation — Perth receives among the highest UV indices in the world, which breaks down traditional mortar and sealants faster than in other Australian cities.
• Storm damage — Strong winter cold fronts and summer thunderstorms can lift loose ridge caps, especially when the underlying bedding has already weakened.
• Original installation quality — Many Perth homes built in the 1970s through 1990s had ridge caps bedded with sand-cement mortar that was never designed for flexible movement.

Re-Bedding vs Re-Pointing: Understanding the Difference

These two terms are often confused, but they describe distinct stages of the repair process:

Re-bedding is the more substantial repair. It involves removing the ridge cap entirely, scraping away all old mortar from the cap and the roof tiles beneath, and laying a fresh bed of flexible mortar compound. The ridge cap is then reset into the new bed and aligned correctly. Re-bedding is necessary when the mortar beneath the cap has crumbled or the caps have become loose and shifted.

Re-pointing addresses only the external pointing — the visible line of compound along the edge of the ridge cap where it meets the roof tiles. If the bedding underneath is still sound, re-pointing alone may be sufficient to reseal the joint and restore weather protection.

Why We Use Flexible Pointing Compounds

Traditional sand-cement pointing is rigid and will crack again within a few years under Perth conditions. That is why we exclusively use modern flexible pointing compounds that are engineered to accommodate thermal movement without splitting.

These compounds offer several advantages for Perth roofs:

• Flexibility — They stretch and compress with temperature changes instead of cracking.
• UV resistance — Formulated to withstand Perth’s intense sun without degrading.
• Adhesion — Superior bonding to both terracotta and concrete tiles.
• Colour matching — Available in a wide range of colours to blend with your existing roof.
• Longevity — Expected to last significantly longer than traditional cement mortar in Perth conditions.

Signs Your Ridge Capping Needs Attention

If you notice any of the following, your ridge caps likely need professional inspection:

• Visible cracks or gaps in the pointing along the ridge line
• Loose or rocking ridge caps when viewed from ground level
• Pieces of mortar in your gutters or on the ground around your home
• Ceiling stains or dampness near the centre of your roof
• Whistling or draughts coming through the ceiling during windy weather

Our Ridge Capping Process

We service the entire Perth metro area, from the northern suburbs of Joondalup and Clarkson down to Rockingham and Baldivis, and across to Midland and the hills. Every ridge capping job follows a structured process: full ridge line inspection, removal and cleaning of damaged material, re-bedding where required, and finishing with quality flexible pointing compound. We always clean up after ourselves and provide before-and-after photos for your records.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation inspection of your ridge capping. We will give you an honest assessment and a clear quote before any work begins.