What does maintaining and repairing a thatched roof entail?
A. The ridge will require renewing several times in between re-thatching. An experienced thatcher should advise, but this is typically every 10-15 years. Re-ridging allows the opportunity for stripping thatch full height around chimneys to reveal any masonry defects representing a fire risk. All junctions (including mortar fillets and flashings) must be left water-tight. Channels worn where rainwater run-off concentrates may be patched, along with superficial damage caused by birds, squirrels or the wind. This can greatly prolong the life of thatched roofs and avoid more costly, unnecessary replacement. Mosses do not have to be removed, however. They can offer thatch some physical protection and produce beneficial anti-fungal chemicals. Q. How do I go about replacing thatch? A. Both straw and water reed roofs may perform well for at least 30 years, but will eventually need re-thatching when the fixings are near to the surface and open to water ingress. Choose an experienced thatcher wo
