Roof ridge tiles are an excellent layer of protection over the roof ridge. They are great for keeping rain out of the attic. A poorly protected roof ridge is dangerous and can result in expensive repairs. For example, if you don’t protect the roof ridge, rain can enter the attic and cause rot, compromising your home’s structure.
To maintain your roof ridge tiles, you need to repoint them, which is the process of replacing the mortar in between the tiles. While this is an important job, it can also be expensive.
How much will repointing your roof ridge tiles cost you?
Read on for a breakdown of everything that can affect the price of repointing roof ridge tiles. Some examples include the size and condition of your roof, labour costs and more.
Why is Repointing Roof Ridge Tiles an Essential Task?
Before we detail the costs of repointing roof ridge tiles or the ridge cap, you must understand why it is worth the money.
Roof ridge tiles play a vital role in protecting your roof in multiple ways. The most critical way is protecting the home from water leaks, which can cause mould to grow, damaging the structure.
Additionally, roof ridge tiles can allow for full roof ventilation, which helps regulate the temperature in your home. It also helps with insulation, which keeps your energy bills low.
Roof ridge tiles are also crucial because they make a roof look more visually appealing. If you fail to maintain them, they will not remain aesthetically pleasing.
Also, if you repoint roof ridge tiles, you can help increase their lifespan. Repointing helps longevity by holding the tiles in place, making them less likely to fall off or get cracks.
Finally, although it can be expensive, repointing is much more cost-effective than paying for costly damages caused by failing to maintain roof ridge tiles.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Repointing Roof Ridge Tiles?
Working out the total cost of repointing your roof ridge tiles is more complex than you think. It’s not just a universal cost because there are many variables to consider.
Here are some factors that affect the cost of roof ridge tile repointing.
The Roof’s Condition
If your tile roof is in poor condition, repointing the ridge tiles will cost significantly more.
Therefore, you need to check for any damage on the tiles before arranging a quote. Cracks and loose tiles require repairs before you call someone to repoint the mortar.
Also, if you have an old roof, there is a higher chance that more mortar requires repointing, so you can expect to pay more.
The Size of the Roof
Depending on the size of your roof, the price of repointing ridge tiles may be higher. The bigger the roof, the more expensive repointing will be.
To determine your roof’s size, measure the surface area and the pitch.
Your Choice of Roof Ridge Repointing Material
Depending on the type of mortar you choose for repointing, the job can be costly. However, if you get higher-quality mortar and sealant, you will experience more long-term savings despite the higher up-front cost.
We will discuss this in more detail in our ridge tile repointing material section.
The Labor Costs in Your Local Area
Depending on where you live in Australia, you may need to pay more for installation.
Typically, if you live in an area with higher housing prices, the repointing cost will be higher.
Also, installers with more expertise in repointing will likely charge a higher price. You must decide if you value expertise or price more.
How Much Do Roof Tile Repointing Materials Cost?
The materials you can purchase for roof pointing vary in price and quality.
For example, mortar is the most traditional material for roof tile repointing, but it is also the cheapest. So, while it is a durable material, it may not last as long as a cement-based flexible pointing compound. Therefore, it won’t save you as much money in the long term.
Another thing to consider is to invest in a more expensive sealant. For example, a weatherproof sealant offers more protection and durability to the roof.
If you can afford the higher cost of excellent materials, your ridge tiles will last longer and protect your house more, saving money over time.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Professional for the Repointing Job?
As mentioned, the cost for a professional to come out and repoint your roof ridge tiles depends on where you live. For example, if you live in a poorer area, you may be able to pay less for repointing.
Also, the professional will take several aspects into account before determining a quote. They’ll consider your roof condition, house size and more.
It’s a great idea to get multiple quotes to get the clearest sense of the price range for your roof.
Are There Additional Repointing Costs You Must Consider?
Apart from the repointing itself, there are other costs to consider, including:
- The cost of scaffolding around the roof if you have a high roof.
- Permits needed to complete the repointing, which depends on your local area.
- Repairs needed before repointing to loose or broken tiles.
- The cost of hiring someone to remove the debris off your roof before repointing.
Is it Cheaper to Repoint Roof Ridge Tiles Yourself?
With all the costs associated with hiring someone to repoint roof ridge tiles, you may wonder if it’s a better idea to do it yourself and avoid the up-front cost. However, repointing the tiles yourself comes with its own set of issues.
If you don’t have experience working on the roof, you may end up causing more problems when you repoint the tiles. For example, if you don’t seal the mortar or cement properly, it won’t keep water out.
Additionally, you’ll need to invest in materials and equipment to do the job, adding to the up-front cost.
Top Tips to Save Money on Repointing Roof Ridge Tiles
Here are some top tips to save some money on roof ridge tile repointing without compromising on the quality of the job:
- Maintain the roof ridge tiles and repair damages if you see any.
- Get multiple quotes to find the best price for the repointing job.
- Plan the repointing so the professional comes out in an off-peak season (this will cost less money than peak seasons).
- Buy more expensive materials because they will save you money in the long term.
- If you have the skills and materials, consider doing the repointing yourself.
- Combine roof ridge tile repair with other roof repairs.
Final Thoughts on Your Repointing Roof Cost
In summary, there is no universal price regarding roof ridge tile repointing. Instead, it depends on multiple variables, including your roof’s condition, the number of quotes you get, your repointing materials and more.
No matter the cost to repoint your roof ridge tiles, you should do it because it is critical to maintain your roof and keep your home safe.
For more tips on how to keep your roof in excellent condition, go to Evo Building Products.