A 40-year-old double storey home in East Melbourne with cement tiles, and a roof in desperate need of a rebed and repoint. We caught up with Ryan from the Royce Roofing crew while the job was underway. Ryan has been roofing for 20 years and recently joined the Royce team. Here is what he had to say, straight from the roof.
The short answer
- The job: rebed and repoint, valley iron replacement and general roof maintenance
- Safety first: temporary safety rail, working above signs, ladder guards and skylight safety nets
- Rebed and repoint: caps off, old mortar out, new bedding, flexible pointing
- Left too long, water gets through the bedding into the insulation, electrics and ceiling
- Done correctly, a rebed and repoint should last 15 to 20 years
In this guide
- The job: a 40-year-old cement tile roof
- Safety first on a double storey roof
- What sets Royce Roofing apart
- What is a rebed and repoint?
- What happens if you leave it too long?
- How do you know if your roof needs work?
- Do some roofs age faster?
- What to ask when getting quotes
- After the job: what to watch for
- Common questions
The job: a 40-year-old cement tile roof
The property is a medium sized double storey home in East Melbourne with cement tiles, probably around 40 years old. The scope of work for the day was a rebed and repoint, valley iron replacement, and general roof maintenance.
Ryan summed up the condition of the roof straight away.
This one was in desperate need of a rebed and repoint.
Safety first on a double storey roof
Before any work begins, the crew sets up all safety measures on site. On this job that included the temporary safety rail, working above signs, ladder guards, and safety checks with all permits in place.
Obviously we complete all safety measures first.
One thing that stood out on this job was a skylight. The safety supervisor brought in specialist safety nets manufactured in Germany.
Falling from height off the side of the roof is an obvious danger, but some people are not aware that skylights can be dangerous too. If you step on them and they’re old they can break and you can fall straight to the ground. Roofing work is definitely high risk.
Sources: WorkSafe Victoria: Prevention of falls in housing construction.
What sets Royce Roofing apart
Ryan has worked for other roofing companies over his 20 years in the trade. Asked what separates Royce Roofing, he did not hesitate.
The safety, the brotherhood, the quality of work. When everyone works together and you get a good team, that results in good restorations for the customers.
What is a rebed and repoint?
Ryan walked us through the process from start to finish.
We start off by removing all the ridge cappings, then removing all the old mortar, remix the mortar back down, and then we go over with a flexible pointing.
- Remove the ridge capsEvery cap along the ridges and hips is lifted.
- Clear the old mortarThe old bedding, which breaks down over decades, is removed.
- RebedCaps are relaid on fresh mortar.
- RepointFlexible pointing seals the caps and moves with the roof.
The goal is to restore the roof so it is completely watertight and looks presentable again. More on roof repointing and our rebed and repoint service.
Is your roof due for an inspection?
If your roof is getting on in years or you have noticed small leaks or displaced ridge caps, we will give you a straight answer about what it needs.
What happens if you leave it too long?
When it’s neglected, water begins to get through the bedding and then through to your ceiling and cause even more damage. Water finds a way.
Water getting through the bedding is just the start. Beyond the ceiling itself, it can get into the insulation and damage electrical components inside the roof space. The longer a roof is left without maintenance, the more expensive the repair becomes.
How do you know if your roof needs work?
It can be done by visual inspection. You can start to see surface cracks, dislodged ridge caps, things like that.
Most homeowners will not get up on their roof themselves. Is there anything you can spot from the ground?
Something can be noticed from the ground but it would take a roof tiler or someone with experience to notice these things. The best way is always an inspection from the roof.
If your roof is 30 years or older, or you are noticing small leaks, that is a good time to get someone up there for a proper look. Our guide to inspecting your roof safely covers what you can check from the ground.
Do some roofs age faster?
East Melbourne gets Melbourne’s full range of weather. Does that affect how quickly a roof wears down?
Every roof comes with its own unique challenge. Terracotta tiles installed close to the beach tend to wear down a little quicker than others. But in the right areas they last longer. It all depends on the tile, the location, the weather. Every house is different, every job is different.
What to ask when getting quotes
A smart homeowner getting a quote on roof work will look beyond the price. Ryan’s advice:
Reputation, safety measures. Getting open and honest answers and information is probably a good way to ensure you will get a solid result when the roof eventually gets fixed.
- What does the quote include?
- What safety measures does the crew use on site?
- What warranties are included on materials and workmanship?
- Can they explain clearly what work needs to be done and why?
After the job: what to watch for
Once the roof is done, Ryan’s advice for keeping it in good condition:
When getting other tradesmen to install things on your roof, like antenna people, just make sure they are cautious. Hire the right people to work on your roof and keep on top of your gutters.
WorkSafe Victoria’s compliance code for housing construction puts edge protection such as guard railing ahead of harnesses and ladders when controlling the risk of falls from a roof. Our crews set up our own temporary safety rail, ladder guards and, where there are old skylights, safety nets before anyone works on the roof. Every crew member holds a working at heights qualification.
Common questions
How do I know if my roof needs a rebed and repoint?
Look for surface cracks on ridge caps, dislodged or loose ridge tiles, or chunks of old mortar appearing in your gutters. An inspection will confirm whether the bedding has deteriorated enough to need a rebed and repoint.
How long does a rebed and repoint last?
Done correctly with the right materials, a rebed and repoint should last 15 to 20 years. Using the wrong products or shortcuts significantly shortens that lifespan.
Is roofing work dangerous?
Yes. Working at height is high risk work and requires proper training, qualifications and safety equipment. At Royce Roofing all crew members hold working at heights qualifications and safety measures are set up before any work begins.
What is the difference between a rebed and repoint and a full roof restoration?
A rebed and repoint focuses on the ridge caps and mortar. A full restoration also includes cleaning, tile replacement, valley replacement and, for concrete tiles, recoating. We recommend the right option after an inspection.
How much does a rebed and repoint cost in Melbourne?
Published Melbourne figures put a full ridge rebed and repoint at about $840 to $3,675. We give a fixed written quote after a free inspection. See our roof repair cost guide.
Do I need to be home for the inspection or the repair?
For the inspection it helps to be available so we can walk you through what we find. For the repair, as long as we have safe access to the roof our crew can complete the work while you are out.
Related
Sources: WorkSafe Victoria: Prevention of falls in housing construction.
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