Ridge Capping in Adelaide – What It Is, Repairs & Costs

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Ridge Capping in Adelaide – What It Is, Repairs & Costs

27

January

Ridge Capping in Adelaide – What It Is, Repairs & Costs

You know that moment when you hear something move on the roof during a windy night and you think, “Was that… normal?” Yeah, we get that call a lot. More often than not, it comes back to ridge capping.

Ridge capping is one of those roof parts nobody talks about until it causes trouble. Then suddenly, it matters a lot.

Let us explain it without the roofing jargon.

 

What Is Ridge Capping, Really?

Ridge capping is the row of tiles that runs right along the top of your roof. The very highest point. Where the two sides of the roof meet.

Those tiles are locked in place with mortar. Their job is simple… keep water, wind, heat, and dust out of your roof. They also help hold the whole roof together when strong winds hit, which is pretty important in Adelaide.

Over time, that mortar dries out. It cracks. Sometimes it just gives up. That is when ridge tiles start to move, lift, or fall. And once water gets in, things can go downhill fast.

 

Common Signs Something Is Not Right

Most people do not climb onto their roof, and fair enough. But ridge problems usually leave clues.

Things we often hear from homeowners:

  • “There is a small leak but only when it rains heavy”
  • “We found bits of cement in the gutter”
  • “The roof sounds noisy in the wind”
  • “A tile fell down after the last storm”

If you spot cracked mortar or loose ridge tiles, that is your roof asking for help. Quietly at first. Loudly later.

 

Ridge Capping Repairs… What Gets Done

There are two main repair options, and which one you need depends on the condition of the ridge.

Re-pointing

This is when the top layer of old mortar is removed and replaced with a flexible pointing compound. This newer material bends a little as the roof moves with heat and cold. That flexibility matters. Studies in Australian roofing have shown flexible pointing lasts longer than old cement mixes, especially in hot climates like ours.

Re-bedding and re-pointing

We see this a lot on roofs. When ridge tiles move or the base mortar has failed, re-pointing alone will not fix it. The tiles need to come off, new bedding mortar goes on, and only then do we point. It is more work, but it is the right fix.

Quick patch jobs might look fine for a while. Then the next big storm arrives. We have all seen how that ends.

 

How Much Does Ridge Capping Cost in Adelaide?

There is no one price that fits all, but here is a realistic idea.

  • Simple re-pointing usually costs a few hundred dollars
  • Full re-bedding and re-pointing can run into the low thousands, depending on roof size and access

Here is something worth knowing… insurance data in Australia shows roof leaks are one of the most common causes of home damage claims. Fixing ridge capping early is far cheaper than repairing ceilings, insulation, or timber later.

That is just the honest truth.

 

Why Ridge Capping Is More Important Than It Looks

Ridge capping helps your roof deal with wind pressure, heavy rain, and daily heat changes. When it fails, the rest of the roof feels it. Keeping it solid can add years to your roof’s life.

Ignore it, and problems spread. Slowly at first. Then all at once.

 

Why Adelaide Homeowners Call Roof Revival

At Roof Revival, we work on ridge capping across Adelaide all the time. We know how local weather treats roofs, and we fix things properly, not temporarily.

We use quality materials, modern flexible pointing, and proven methods that last. No shortcuts. No guesswork.

If your ridge tiles look cracked, loose, or just not right, let us take a look. We offer clear advice, fair pricing, and work we stand behind.

Give Roof Revival a call and let us sort the top of your roof… before it becomes a bigger problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RESTORING AND RE GUTTERING?

We have been working in the Roofing and guttering industry since 2007.

DO YOU HOLD A BUILDER’S LICENCE?

Yes roof revival does hold a valid builders licence our builders licence number is BLD328061.

ARE YOU INSURED?

Roof revival is most definitely insured with public liability that covers us as tradesman and any damage to your property Aswell.

HOW MANY DAYS DOES A ROOF RESTORATION IN ADELAIDE TAKE?

A full restoration takes about 3-4 working days. We need the proper weather conditions to achieve the
best result. For high pressure cleaning roofs or installing gutters rain is normally not an issue.
However, for flexi pointing caps and painting we will need there to be know no rain to be forecasted
and anything over 33 degrees a job will have to be painted over two consecutive days. Please be
patient in the winter months as we like to make sure all work is undertaken in right weather conditions.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS AFTER I ACCEPT THE QUOTE?

After a quote is excepted. The deposit of 20% is required to be paid to lock in a starting date. Prior to
the starting date we double inspect as a safeguard to ensure that the desired level of quality, accuracy
and compliance is achieved. Once the materials are ordered and delivered to the desired location a
30% progress payment is to be made. We then will give you a rough estimation of starting date for the
work to be undertaken. On the day of completion, the remaining balance will be paid with the desired
method of payment.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF A ROOF RESTORATION IN ADELAIDE?

INSPECTION Your roof and gutters are inspected by a qualified Tradesman.
REPLACE Damaged tiles are replaced.
CLEAN The roof is cleaned using high pressure water.
RE-BED All ridge capping is re- bedded where needed.
RE-POINT Ridge capping is then re -pointed with a flexible acrylic pointing mixture.
ANTI FUNGAL The roof is sprayed to prevent moss and lichen growth.
PRIMER The entire roof area is coated with a sealer/primer to ensure strong adhesion of the roof
membrane.
PAINT X2 topcoats of colour membrane is applied.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO YOU USE?

We only use the top of the range products to ensure longevity and quality!
Our materials:
Acryloc Roofing Membrane: This product is a water based and long lasting. It is made in South
Australia and designed for South Australia’s weather conditions. It doesn’t fade as quick as other roof
membranes.
Stratco:
Made with thick gauge Colorbond steel in a variety of colours and finishes. We also offer
coloured downpipes.

WHAT WARRANTY DO I RECEIVE?

Workmanship Warranty of 5 years which covers all workmanship and materials. Acryloc Roofing
membrane offers a 10-year warranty covering

WHAT IS REQUIRED OF ME?

Roof revival will require access to front and back of your property. Access to electrical power and
water tap is needed to run our machinery. While commencing work all valuables, bikes, cars, clothes
washing etc should be kept out of harms way. Surrounding neighbours should be notified of work
been undertaken.

I HAVE A LEAKING ROOF DO I HAVE WARANTY ON FIXED LEAKS?

We regret to inform you that we cannot provide a warranty specifically for roof leaks. Roof leaks can
be exceptionally challenging to detect and diagnose due to a variety of factors, including:

1. Complexity of Detection: Roof leaks often originate from hidden or unexpected areas, making it
difficult to pinpoint the exact source without comprehensive and sometimes invasive investigation.
  
2. Environmental Factors: Roofs are exposed to various weather conditions, such as heavy rain
and wind, which can unpredictably impact the roof's integrity over time.
3. Material Aging and Wear: Over time, roofing materials naturally age and may develop
weaknesses that are not immediately apparent during inspections. Can be very difficult and time
consuming to detect.
4. Previous Repairs and Installations: The condition and quality of previous repairs or installations
can significantly influence the occurrence and detection of leaks, adding complexity to warranty
coverage.
Despite these challenges, please be assured that our team is committed to addressing any roof leaks
that may arise. We will always work to our best ability to identify and solve roof leaks promptly and
effectively, ensuring the longevity and performance of your roof.

I WANT TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS WHATS THE BEST PROCESS TO HAVE MY ROOF FIXED BEFORE SOLAR IS INSTALLED?

The best process to do this is to have your roof high pressure washed first. After this is done contact
your solar company and ask them to install rails and wiring. When this is finished, we will fully restore
the roof and leave you with spare coated tiles and touch up paint. The solar company final task to
connect the panels to the railing.

MY ROOF HAS SOLAR PANELS ON THEM. CAN MY ROOF STILL BE RESTORED?

Yes, he majority of roof we restore now days do have solar panels. We high pressure the roof and
rinse all panels. When it’s time for painting we cover all panels with a plastic film and paint underneath
the panels, so all visible tiles are coated with primer and colour.

MY ROOFTILES ARE PORUOUS HOW CAN WE ACHIEVE A GOOD PAINT FINISH?

If your tiles are porous this means that they are retaining water which adds significant weight to your
roof and roofing timbers, leading to potential leaks and structural issues. To prevent this we apply a
maxi build primer to the rooftiles when painting. This Ensures that the tiles are coated very thick. All
cracks and rough surfaces on the tiles are filled in turn giving the finish much more appealing and
bolder.

WHY DO MY SOLAR PANNELS NEED REGULAR CLEANING?

All solar panels rely on a clean surface to be able to work to their optimum capacity. When the surface
gets dirty it restricts the panels’ ability to capture sunlight efficiently and will therefore not produce as
much electricity. Regular cleaning is not only advised for productivity of the panel but also in most
cases to adhere to warranty requirements Aswell.

WHATS THE PURPOSE OF WHIRLY VENTS?

Whirly vents help your roof space breathe, in turn saving you money on your energy costs.

What’s the average cost for roof repair in Adelaide?

Roof repairs typically start from $250 for minor tile fixes, while more extensive jobs or full restorations can range from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on roof size and condition.

How do I know if my roof needs restoration or just repair?

If your roof has multiple issues like leaks, tile damage, faded paint, or rusted valleys, a roof restoration is often more cost-effective long-term.

Is Roof Revival licensed for roof repairs in Adelaide?

Absolutely. We’re licensed, insured, and trusted by hundreds of Adelaide homeowners for quality roof repair and restoration services.