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    By Enes, Roof Solutions Melbourne·

    Cracked Ridge Pointing Found Under Lichen in Coburg (and Fixed)

    We were booked to clean this Coburg terracotta roof, its solar panels and gutters. Washing off the heavy lichen exposed cracked, gapping pointing along parts of the ridge and hip caps.

    This wasn't a full repointing job. We fixed only the cracked sections, about 20 metres in total, with flexible pointing, at no charge as part of the roof, solar panel and gutter clean. Here's what we found and what we did, with photos of each step.

    Terracotta ridge caps on a Coburg roof after the cracked pointing was fixed with flexible pointing

    The job at a glance

    A quick summary before the photos:

    • Suburb: Coburg (3058)
    • Roof: terracotta tile, with solar panels
    • Job booked: roof cleaning, solar panel cleaning and gutter cleaning
    • Extra: cracked ridge and hip pointing fixed at no charge
    • Pointing fixed: about 20 metres of cracked sections (not a full repoint)
    • Material: flexible pointing

    What the lichen was hiding

    Before the wash, the ridges and tiles were patched with lichen, the pale grey-green growth common on older Melbourne terracotta roofs. Lichen holds moisture against the tiles and the pointing, and it hides cracks.

    We started with a roof clean in Coburg, working around the solar panels.

    Grey-green lichen growing over terracotta ridge caps on a Coburg roof before cleaning
    Before: lichen over the ridge caps and surrounding tiles.

    Once the roof was clean, the problem was obvious. The pointing along the ridge had cracked and pulled away in places.

    Those gaps are where water can get under the caps.

    Cracked ridge pointing pulling away from terracotta ridge caps after the roof wash
    Cracked, gapping pointing along the ridge after the wash.

    How we fixed the cracked pointing

    With the roof clean and dry enough to work on, we fixed the cracked sections of ridge and hip pointing, about 20 metres in total, using flexible pointing. The rest of the pointing was sound, so a full repoint wasn't needed.

    Flexible pointing stays slightly pliable once it cures. That helps it cope with the movement a roof goes through between hot days and cold nights, compared with rigid mortar.

    Terracotta ridge cap lifted during ridge repointing in Coburg
    A ridge cap lifted during the repair.
    Tub of flexible pointing compound on a terracotta tile roof
    Flexible pointing, ready to apply.
    Applying flexible pointing along a terracotta ridge line by hand
    Applying the new pointing along the ridge by hand.

    The result

    The finished ridges have a continuous, even line of new pointing, sealing the joints between the caps and the tiles again.

    Terracotta ridge and hip after the cracked pointing was fixed
    After: the cracked sections sealed with flexible pointing.
    Hip line after repointing on a Coburg terracotta roof
    After: the hip line, cracked sections sealed.

    Why check ridge pointing after a roof clean?

    Moss and lichen often sit right on the ridge lines, so a dirty roof can hide failed pointing for years. A wash is the best time to see the real condition of the ridges.

    If the caps are firm and only the pointing has cracked, repointing is usually enough. If the caps move or the bedding underneath has broken down, they need rebedding as well. Our ridge capping and repointing service page explains how we tell the difference.

    The same job had a second lesson: growth can survive in the joints between tiles. We photographed it and wrote it up in moss left between roof tiles after pressure washing.

    How much does roof repointing cost?

    On this job, fixing the cracked sections was included at no charge with the roof, solar panel and gutter clean. A full roof repointing is a separate job, quoted after inspection, because the price depends on how many metres need work, whether caps also need rebedding, and access.

    For a rough idea, try our roof repair cost calculator. If the whole roof is due, compare it with what a full roof restoration costs in Melbourne.

    Frequently asked questions

    Look for cracked, crumbling or missing pointing along the ridges and hips, caps that sit unevenly, or ceiling stains below a ridge. Moss and lichen can hide all of these, so they often show up once the roof is cleaned.

    A pointing compound that stays slightly flexible after curing, so it handles roof movement between hot and cold days better than rigid mortar.

    Repointing is quoted after inspection, because the price depends on how many metres need work, whether any caps also need rebedding, and access. Our online cost calculator gives a rough idea.

    Repointing replaces the pointing, the top seal between the ridge caps and the tiles. Rebedding means lifting the caps and relaying the bedding underneath, which is needed when caps are loose or the bedding has broken down.

    Yes. On this Coburg job we cleaned the roof, solar panels and gutters, then fixed the cracked pointing in the same visit. Cleaning first also shows the true condition of the pointing.

    Yes. Coburg is about 2.6 km from our base in Pascoe Vale, so it is one of our closest suburbs.

    Related services and guides

    Ridges looking cracked or loose?

    Tell us about your property and we'll send a clear written quote. Every job is inspected before it's quoted.

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