Dustless mortar raking and joint preparation for repointing on a residential brick wall in Kent

Roof repointing in Sittingbourne to secure loose ridges, verges, and chimneys

Perished mortar leaves ridge tiles vulnerable to high winds and lets driving rain penetrate your roof space. With over thirty years of hands-on roofing experience across Sittingbourne and Swale, I chop out failing bedding, secure loose tiles, and repoint ridges, verges, and chimney stacks with durable mortar mixes built to last. Call 01795 904566 to arrange a thorough inspection directly with me—no salespeople and no subcontractors.

Approved & Accredited By

Roof Repointing in Sittingbourne

I have spent over thirty years roofing across Sittingbourne, and I know exactly how Kent’s coastal winds and driving rain can perish the mortar on your roof. Whether it is the ridge tiles on your semi-detached home or the chimney stack on a Victorian terrace, failing mortar leads to loose tiles and water ingress. At C.L. Baker, I provide a personal, hands-on service for all your repointing needs. I do not use subcontractors; I carry out the work myself, ensuring your ridge tiles, gables, and chimneys are bedded and pointed correctly using high-quality hydraulic lime or sand and cement mixes. Based in Bapchild, I cover a 20-mile radius including Faversham, Sheerness, and the Medway Towns. If you have noticed crumbling mortar or moss growth in your joints, your roof's structural integrity could be at risk. I will provide a plain-speaking assessment and a fair price to make your property watertight again.

Deal directly with your roofer from survey to sign-off

With over thirty years of trade experience across Sittingbourne, Chris Baker personally inspects your property, quotes the job, and completes the work with no salesmen or subcontractors.

What is included

  • Complete rake-out of loose, perished, and blown bedding mortar
  • Ridge and hip tiles lifted, cleaned, and securely re-bedded
  • Chimney stack brickwork repointing and top flaunching renewal
  • Gable verge repointing and weatherproofing against driving rain
  • Valley cut tiles re-bedded and mortar fillets remade watertight
  • Traditional lime mortar blending for older Kent peg and clay roofs
  • Replacement of any spalled, cracked, or frost-damaged tiles
  • Clear photographic evidence provided before and after the repair

Five signs your roof needs repointing

  • Chunks of perished bedding mortar or sandy grit washing into your gutters and onto garden paths
  • Visible gaps, horizontal cracking, or missing mortar along the ridge line, hips, or roof verges
  • Damp patches or water staining spreading across upper ceilings and chimney breasts beneath failing stack masonry
  • Loose, rocking, or displaced ridge tiles that have lost their sand-and-cement bond and risk wind-lift
  • Hollowed-out joints, eroded mortar courses, or cracked flaunching around the chimney pots and stack brickwork

Roof Repointing in Sittingbourne: our recent work

Every photo is one of our own jobs.

High-level scaffolding and fresh cement mortar haunching on a coastal property rooflineFreshly repointed red brick wall beneath tiled roofline by C.L. Baker KentChimney stack repointing and brick repair on scaffolding by C.L. BakerC.L. Baker Kent branded roofing van parked on a residential road in SittingbourneDustless mortar raking and joint preparation for repointing on a residential brick wall in Kent

How it works

  1. 01

    Roof inspection

    I inspect your ridge tiles, verges, or chimney stack directly to evaluate perished mortar, loose bedding, and water ingress risk.

  2. 02

    Raking out

    We carefully rake out cracked, loose cement and clear away debris so the new bedding key adheres firmly to the brick or tile.

  3. 03

    Re-bedding & repointing

    Ridge tiles and masonry are solidly re-bedded and pointed using a durable mortar mix tailored to your roof's age and pitch.

  4. 04

    Clearance & sign-off

    We clear all gutters and ground areas, inspect the cured finish, and supply clear photographic proof of your watertight roof.

With more than thirty years on Kent roofs, I rake out perished mortar and properly re-bed your ridge tiles and chimney stacks to stop water ingress at the source.

Roof Repointing in Sittingbourne: your questions answered

How do I know if my roof needs repointing?

The easiest way to tell is by looking at your gutters and the ground around your house. If you see chunks of mortar or "sand" in the guttering, it is coming from your ridge tiles or chimney. You might also see visible gaps under the tiles at the very peak of your roof or notice that the mortar looks crumbly and dark. If you can see daylight through the mortar from inside your loft, you need to act quickly.

Can you just put new mortar over the old cracks?

I never recommend "skimming" or pointing over old mortar. It is a waste of your money because the new layer won't bond properly to the old dust and will just flake off within a year or two. The right way to do it is to rake out the old, loose material until we find a solid base, then apply the new bedding mortar. This makes sure the repair actually lasts.

Do I need a scaffold for chimney repointing in Sittingbourne?

It depends on the height of your house and the position of the chimney. For minor repairs on a standard two-storey home, I can often work from specialist roof ladders. However, if the chimney is hard to reach or needs extensive brickwork repairs, I may need to arrange a scaffold to work safely and comply with health and safety rules. I will always discuss this with you after my initial inspection.

Is it better to use mortar or a dry-fix ridge system?

Mortar has been used for centuries and is often required on heritage buildings in places like Faversham or Rochester. However, for modern homes in Sittingbourne, many people now choose "dry-fix" systems, which use mechanical clips and screws instead of mortar. These are great because they don't crack over time. I can talk you through both options and help you decide which is best for your property and your budget.

How long does roof repointing take to finish?

A typical ridge repointing job on a semi-detached house usually takes about a day, depending on the weather. Chimney repointing can take a little longer if there is a lot of old mortar to rake out. Because I work on the jobs myself, I stay on your project until it is finished, rather than jumping between different sites.

Does your roof repointing service cover the Isle of Sheppey?

Yes, I cover the whole of the Isle of Sheppey, including Sheerness and Minster. Because of the coastal wind, I often find that roofs on the island need more frequent mortar maintenance than those further inland. If you live on the coast, it is worth having your ridge tiles checked every few years to make sure the salt air and gales haven't weakened the bedding.

Roof Repointing in Sittingbourne and across

Related services

Guides

How do I know if my roof needs repointing?

The most common indicator of failing mortar is finding sandy, gritty deposits in your gutters after a period of heavy wind or rain. You might also spot moss growth between your ridge tiles or see visible daylight gaps under your verge tiles at the gable ends of your property. On chimneys, look for areas where the mortar has cracked or fallen away entirely from the brickwork, which is often a result of frost heave during our colder Kent winters. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to act before the loose mortar allows water to seep under your tiles and onto your roof timbers.

Carolyn

Google review · 5.0 ★

The work was carried out efficiently and well and I am very pleased with the result.

Google reviewRead on Google →

Emma Woodcock

Google review · 5.0 ★

The work force went above and beyond to do the job, Very polite, great communication and happy with the work completed. Would definitely recommend these men"

Google reviewRead on Google →

chloe

Google review · 5.0 ★

Roof repair on my tiled roof. Good communication and a fair price! Would highly recommend 5🌟

Google reviewRead on Google →

kristie baker

Google review · 5.0 ★

Great service, would recommend.

Google reviewRead on Google →

david checksfield

Google review · 5.0 ★

Re: refelt garage roof ,Chris was very helpful, and his lads worked very hard on a very hot day, clean and tidy,great finish highly recommend

Google reviewRead on Google →

Our guarantee

Is it better to re-bed or just repoint ridge tiles?

There is a distinct difference between a quick surface patch and a proper repair. Repointing over loose, crumbling mortar is rarely a long-term solution because the new material will not bond to the old, perished base. When I undertake ridge tile repointing, I prefer to re-bed the tiles. This process involves lifting the ridge or hip tile, clearing out the old, failed mortar bed, and installing a fresh, robust sand and cement mix or hydraulic lime mortar. This ensures that the tile is securely attached to the roof structure and fully protected from the high wind loads we frequently experience across the Swale and Sheerness coast.

Covered

  • Workmanship on full strip and retile projects and new tiled roofs
  • Milled lead flashings, dry valleys, ridges, and verges we install
  • Seamless GRP fibreglass and high-performance flat roof systems
  • Targeted roof repairs as agreed on your written quotation

On top

  • Tile, slate, and membrane manufacturer product warranties
  • Clear photographic evidence of battening, felting, and finished work
  • Direct contact with Chris Baker throughout—no sales reps or subcontractors
  • Guidance on Building Regulations Part L requirements for re-roofs

Not covered

  • Extreme storm damage, gale uplift, or tree strikes occurring after completion
  • Adjoining roof pitches, shared walls, or areas outside our agreed scope
  • Subsequent foot traffic or modifications carried out by third-party trades
  • Water ingress caused by uncleaned, blocked, or overflowing gutters

The guarantee for your job is written on your quote before you agree to anything. Read the full guarantee.

Roof trouble in Sittingbourne? Speak directly with Chris Baker

Call 01795 904566 for straightforward advice from an experienced local roofer. I inspect every roof myself, explain the exact issue plainly, and provide a clear, no-obligation quote with zero subcontractors.