Repointing and pointing
Pointing is the mortar between things, and on a roof it is doing more work than people realise. It holds ridge tiles down, seals the verge at the gable end, and keeps water out of the joints in stonework and chimneys.
It also has a much shorter life than the roof around it, which is why a hundred-year-old roof might be on its third lot of pointing.
- Covering
- East Lancashire & Craven
- Quotes
- Free, no pressure
- Ring or text
- 07840 031508
What we repoint
- Ridge and hip tiles, the most common job on this page
- Verges, the mortar along the gable edge of the roof
- Chimney stacks, where the joints have washed out
- Stonework and brickwork, particularly on exposed gables and chimneys
- Flaunching, the mortar bed around the chimney pots
How to tell it has gone
From the ground you can see more than you might think:
- Gaps or missing sections along the ridge line
- Ridge tiles that look out of line or have shifted
- Mortar lying in the gutter or on the ground after wind
- Crumbling mortar at the gable edge
- Open joints on the chimney stack, or pots looking loose
- Vegetation growing out of a joint, which means it has been holding water for years
Failed ridge pointing is worth acting on quickly. A ridge tile is heavy and it lands somewhere.
Getting the mortar right
This is the part that gets skipped, and it matters most on the stone property round here.
Old solid stone walls need lime mortar, not cement. A solid wall handles water by absorbing it and letting it evaporate back out, and lime allows that. Cement does not. Point an old stone wall or chimney in hard cement and the water that gets in has to leave somewhere else, usually through the face of the stone, which then spalls and crumbles.
The damage is slow, expensive and permanent. Plenty of stone gables locally have been quietly ruined this way by well-meant repointing.
On a modern cavity wall, or for bedding ridge tiles, cement-based mortar is correct.
Should you use a dry ridge system instead?
For ridges and hips there is now an alternative to mortar: a dry ridge system, mechanically fixed with screws and a sealing strip.
It costs more up front. It does not crack, does not wash out, and does not need doing again in fifteen years. On an exposed roof, and most roofs round here are exposed, it is usually the better value over time. We will price both if you want to compare.
What repointing costs
- Length of ridge or area of stonework
- Access and scaffold, which is most of the cost on a chimney
- Whether old mortar has to be raked out by hand, which lime work requires
- Lime mortar costing more in labour than cement, and being slower to cure
The things people ask us
Ridge bedding in cement typically goes fifteen to twenty years on an exposed roof. Lime pointing on stonework, properly done, lasts considerably longer.
Ridge work on a low roof sometimes. Chimney work realistically needs a scaffold or a tower, and anyone proposing to do a stack off a ladder is taking a risk with their own safety and the quality of the work.
That is the flaunching, the mortar bed the pots sit in, and yes it is related work. Loose pots need dealing with promptly.
What people said about the work
Read the reviews, then ring us and see if we match up.
Absolutely brilliant service from start to finish. The work was completed to a really high standard they were reliable, professional and tidy throughout. It’s clear they take pride in their work, and the finished roof looks fantastic. Would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy, hardworking roofer. Thank you to Alex, Jeff, Ryan & Junior Kath & Eric at Number 6
Great job done by Alex, Jason and Alfie on our chimney stack and roof. They provide a very professional friendly, service and are a pleasure to work with. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services. Thank you so much.
Excellent work done by a superb team. Alex, Geoff and Luke have done an incredible job on my roof and front of house. The roof no longer leaks (when living in Preston that's an important thing!) and the front of the house appearance has been transformed from an old tired look to a clean and more modern feel. They provide great advice, give you a quote detailing what they are going to do and then crack on and do a brilliant job…
Alex replaced our guttering, reset all the ridge tiles on the roof and capped the chimney properly. Alex and Luke were a breathe of fresh air to deal with. Alex was very friendly, he kept us informed of progress and what they were doing. He attended at the specified time and always kept everything clean and tidy. Quotes were accurate and were stuck to. Quality work throughout so if you want half a job doing don't call him. Personally I…
Alex and Geoff took great care inspecting the roof and deciding on a plan of action. Geoff and Luke worked seamlessly together to repair the numerous faults they discovered. They were cheerful and courteous at all times and were always ready to explain how the work was progressing and the issues they were dealing with as they arose. Jason and Alfie did a good job with the rendering. Photographs were provided, documenting their…
Alex and Luke have pointed our chimney and replaced pots. All the ridge tiles have been removed and replaced. Nothing has been too much trouble for these guys. We are more than happy with the end result. Totally reliable and trustworthy. Very friendly lads. I would 100% recommend their services.
Alex has just repaired chimney (putting right someone else’s bad work mainly) and ridge. Used Alex before after storm in 2022 brought guttering down on my 300 yr old cottage. Measured, made and fitted within about a week thankfully after months of others roofers either not showing or making out how difficult the job was
Very pleased indeed. Alex was responsive, helpful and, as chance would have it, was able to do the repair to the guttering at our daughter's bungalow, promptly. The charge was minimal for two tradesmen. Would certainly use again and have no hesitation in recommending him to others.
Alex and his team did a first class repair job on my roof. Excellent value for my money. Kept me informed at all stages of the job, clean and tidy on completion.
Alex replaced our leaking guttering. The guttering was measured, ordered and all replaced within a week! The job was done very professionally and at a great price! Great guys, who left the area spotless, when finished. Fantastic job! Great, honest, genuine tradesman. We would highly recommend to all!!!!!
We met Alex by chance one rainy afternoon on the local canal towpath. We were both sheltering from the rain under the same bridge. My husband and I had, earlier, been discussing our garage roof which was new a few years ago, but which had been leaking for some time. We think our chance meeting with Alex was meant to happen as, for some reason, I mentioned our leaky roof to him. We have always had difficultly finding reliable…
Excellent job, lovely people, very good roofers and sensible prices
Other things we do
Leadwork
Flashings, valleys, box gutters and bay roofs, in properly dressed lead rather than cement or mastic.
Read moreRoof repairs
Leaks, slipped and broken slates, storm damage, failed flashing and cracked cement. Most roofs we look at need a repair rather than a replacement.
Read moreEmergency roof repairs
Water coming in now. We make the roof safe and watertight first, then talk about the permanent fix once it is dry.
Read more