Roof mortar repairs and repointing

Repointing to ridges, verges, valleys and abutments where the mortar has cracked out.

In short

Mortar holds a surprising amount of a traditional roof together, at the ridge, along the gable verges, down the valley edges and where the roof meets a wall. It is also the part that frost gets into first. Repointing those lines is a modest job that prevents tiles working loose and water finding its way underneath.

Signs you need mortar repairs

  • Cracks running along the mortar at the ridge or the gable edge
  • Mortar dropping into the gutter or onto the path below
  • Verge tiles at the gable end loose or lifting
  • Gaps opening where the roof meets a wall
  • Vegetation or moss rooting into the mortar joints
  • Daylight visible along the verge from inside the loft

What the job involves

Rake out the old mortar

Loose and cracked material is raked back to something sound. Pointing over failed mortar just puts a thin skin on the problem.

Wet down and prepare

The surfaces are damped so the new mortar cures properly rather than drying out too fast and cracking straight away.

Point in the right mix

A mix suited to the roof and the exposure. Too strong a mix cracks away from the tile; too weak and it washes out.

Bed loose tiles back

Any verge or ridge tile that has worked loose gets bedded back properly at the same time, and clipped where the exposure warrants it.

Finish and clear

Joints struck neatly, and the debris cleared out of the gutters before we leave.

Want someone to take a look?

Free quote, no obligation, and a straight answer on whether the work is actually needed.

Mortar Repairs near you

We cover Derby, Nottingham, Burton upon Trent and the towns around them.

Frequently asked questions

How long does roof pointing last?

Well done, many years. It depends heavily on exposure, and a gable that takes the prevailing wind will always go before a sheltered one.

Should I convert to dry verge instead?

It is worth considering. Dry verge caps clip on mechanically with no mortar to crack, and on an exposed gable they are usually the better long term answer.

Can pointing be done in winter?

Not in frost. New mortar that freezes before it cures will fail, so we would rather wait for the weather than do it twice.

Is cracked mortar urgent?

Not immediately, but it is the start of a chain. Mortar goes, tiles work loose, then water gets in. It is much cheaper dealt with early.

Do you repoint chimneys too?

Yes, though a chimney stack is its own job. Have a look at our chimney repairs page for what that involves.

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