Ridge Tile Repair & Re-Pointing in Esher, Claygate & Oxshott

Our roofing team brings over 30 years of hands-on experience to ridge and hip repairs, from a handful of hairline cracks in the mortar to a full ridge line that needs stripping back and re-bedding. The ridge is one of the hardest-working parts of any roof – it takes the brunt of wind uplift and sits at the highest point for rain to find a way in – so mortar that’s failed up there rarely stays a small problem for long. This page sets out what causes ridge mortar to fail, the difference between re-pointing and re-bedding, when a dry ridge system is worth considering instead, and what it costs – no subcontracted labour, no unnecessary work.

What Sets Our Ridge Tile Repairs Apart

Every ridge repair is carried out by our own employed roofing team, not passed on to a subcontractor we’ve never worked with before. That matters on ridge work specifically, because a rushed or badly mixed repair can fail again within a couple of years, and by then the mortar’s had time to let water into the roof structure below. Between us, our team has over 30 years’ hands-on experience re-bedding and re-pointing ridge and hip lines across the older, mixed-age roof stock that’s typical of Esher, Claygate and Oxshott. Every repair is backed by our own workmanship guarantee, and where we convert a ridge to our dry ridge and verge system, that element carries a lifetime guarantee.

How We Diagnose and Approach Every Ridge Repair

Ridge mortar can look fine from the ground and still be failing underneath, so every ridge repair we quote starts with a proper inspection – either ladder access or a drone roof inspection – checking each tile for movement, not just looking for visible cracks. That’s important because a hairline crack with no tile movement needs a different repair to a ridge tile that rocks when you press it, and treating the wrong one wastes money. As standard, our ridge repair service includes:

• A written, fixed-price quote that specifies whether the work is re-pointing, re-bedding, or a dry ridge conversion
• Photographic evidence of the failed mortar and loose tiles, so you can see what we’re fixing and why
• Ridge and hip tiles matched to your existing roof’s colour and profile wherever a close match is available
• A tidy site once the work’s done, including clearing old mortar debris from gutters and the ground below

Where some repairs get quoted as a flat “re-point the ridge” without anyone checking whether the tiles themselves are still secure, we’d rather spend the time finding out first, because re-pointing a ridge that actually needs re-bedding just means the same job again in a year or two.

Our Ridge Tile Repair Process

1. Diagnosis – we inspect the ridge and hip lines by ladder or drone, checking every tile for movement and every joint for how far the mortar’s actually failed.
2. Fixed-price quote – you get a written quote for the specific repair needed – re-pointing, re-bedding, or dry ridge conversion – with photos showing the damage.
3. Repair – for re-pointing, we rake out and renew the outer mortar joint along the existing ridge line; for re-bedding, we lift the affected tiles, strip out all the old failing mortar, and re-bed each one on a fresh, properly mixed bed before re-pointing the joints.
4. Site clean-up – we clear old mortar and any debris from gutters and the ground before we leave.
5. Sign-off – we confirm the repair’s complete, back it with our workmanship guarantee, and can share photos of the finished ridge line.

Signs Your Ridge Tiles Need Attention

Ridge problems are easy to miss because you’re not looking at the roof from above, and by the time a stain shows up on a bedroom ceiling the mortar’s often been failing for a while. Typical warning signs include visible cracks or gaps in the mortar along the ridge or hip, ridge tiles that look uneven or have shifted out of line, small pieces of mortar turning up in gutters or on the ground after windy weather, and – if you get into the loft – daylight visible at the top of the roof. A hairline crack with no tile movement is usually straightforward re-pointing; a ridge tile that rocks when pressed, or a joint that’s cracked all the way through, means re-bedding is the safer repair. If you’re not sure which category applies, a drone roof inspection gives us a clear photographed view of the whole ridge line before we recommend either option.

Re-Pointing vs Re-Bedding: Which Do You Need?

These two repairs fix different problems, and using the wrong one is the most common reason a “repaired” ridge fails again quickly. Re-pointing renews the outer mortar joint while the tiles themselves are still sitting securely – it’s the right call for hairline cracks, weathered joints, or minor surface wear with no movement in the tiles. Re-bedding goes further: it lifts the tile, removes the old bedding mortar underneath as well as the pointing, and sets the tile back down on a fresh mortar bed, which is what’s needed once a tile has started to rock or a gap’s opened up beneath it. Re-pointing over a tile that actually needs re-bedding might look fine for a season, but it doesn’t restore the structural support underneath, so the same tile usually works loose again. We check tile movement as standard before quoting either repair, so you’re not paying for a cosmetic fix where a structural one is what’s actually needed.

Mortar Bedding vs Dry Ridge System: Which Is Right for Your Roof?

Traditional mortar bedding has secured ridge and hip tiles on UK roofs for generations, and for most re-pointing and re-bedding jobs it’s still the right, cost-effective repair – particularly on older or period properties where a mortar finish matches the existing roof. A dry ridge system replaces mortar with mechanical fixings – clips and screws that hold each tile in place without relying on cement bedding at all, and current British Standard guidance (BS 5534) now expects mechanical fixing to be used alongside or instead of mortar alone on most roofs, since mortar’s grip can’t be relied on to resist wind uplift by itself over time. A dry ridge system also isn’t weather-dependent to install the way mortar is, and it typically needs less ongoing maintenance once it’s in. If your ridge has failed more than once, or you’d rather not think about re-pointing again in a few years, converting to our dry ridge and verge system – backed by a lifetime guarantee – is usually the better long-term option, and we’ll always explain honestly whether that’s worth it for your specific roof or whether a straightforward mortar repair will do the job just as well.

How Much Does Ridge Tile Repair Cost in Esher and Surrey?

Ridge repair costs vary more than most other roofing jobs, because the range runs from a couple of metres of re-pointing to a full ridge re-bedding or dry ridge conversion along the whole length of the roof. What drives the price is how much of the ridge is affected, whether it’s re-pointing or the more involved re-bedding, access (a roof ladder is often enough, though longer ridges or higher roofs may need a scaffold tower), and whether you’re converting to a dry ridge system rather than repairing the existing mortar. As a guide, a short section of re-pointing on a few tiles is usually the quickest and most affordable job we quote, while a full ridge re-bed or dry ridge conversion on a longer roof costs more, in the same way a bigger job always costs more than a smaller one. We’ll always confirm the exact, fixed price in writing after we’ve inspected the ridge – not before.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my ridge tiles need re-pointing or re-bedding?
Press gently on a ridge tile (or ask us to check for you) – if it rocks or moves, it needs re-bedding, not just re-pointing. Hairline cracks in the mortar with no tile movement are usually fine with re-pointing alone. We check every tile for movement as part of our inspection, so you’re not guessing.

What causes ridge mortar to fail in the first place?
Mostly repeated wetting and drying, freeze-thaw cycles over winter, and general weathering over the years, sometimes made worse by storms vibrating tiles loose or an original mortar mix that wasn’t quite right. It’s a slow process, which is why it’s often well advanced by the time it becomes visible from the ground.

Should I convert to a dry ridge system instead of repairing the mortar?
It depends on the roof. If mortar repairs have failed more than once, or you want a lower-maintenance, longer-term fix, a dry ridge system is usually worth it. If this is the first time the mortar’s needed attention, a straightforward re-point or re-bed is often the more cost-effective repair – we’ll give you an honest recommendation either way.

Will the replacement tiles match my existing ridge?
Wherever possible, yes. We match new ridge and hip tiles to your existing roof’s colour and profile as closely as we can, sourcing reclaimed or discontinued styles where needed for older or period properties. If an exact match isn’t available, we’ll talk you through the closest options before any work starts.

Do you offer a guarantee on ridge tile repairs?
Yes – every repair is backed by our own workmanship guarantee, and any dry ridge or verge system we install carries a lifetime guarantee. Full details are confirmed as part of your written quote.

How quickly can you get to a ridge tile repair?
Straightforward re-pointing or re-bedding jobs can often be booked in within a week or two; if you’re dealing with an active leak or storm-damaged ridge tiles, call us directly and we’ll prioritise accordingly.

What Our Customers Say

We currently hold over 70 positive Google reviews at 5 stars. Recent ridge and hip repair jobs – including a ridge re-bedding and re-pointing job in Claygate where failing mortar had let several tiles work loose – have restored roofs to being fully secure against wind uplift and rain penetration. You can read the full reviews on our Google Business Profile, or get in touch directly for references from recent, comparable ridge repair jobs.

Ridge Tile Repairs Across Esher, Claygate, Oxshott and the Surrounding Area

Alongside Esher, Claygate and Oxshott, we regularly carry out ridge tile repairs and re-pointing in Thames Ditton, Hinchley Wood, Weybridge and Cobham. If a ridge repair uncovers a bigger issue – widespread tile failure elsewhere on the roof, or problems with your chimney where it meets the ridge line – we can quote for that as part of the same visit rather than sending someone else out separately. For roof problems away from the ridge, see our general roof repairs page.