A thatched roof looks stunning, particularly on traditional buildings such as cottages. However, just like standard tile roofs, they need maintaining, or else they can start to appear a little unloved. It’s a good idea to catch any common signs of damage on a thatch roof before it turns into a bigger – and more expensive – problem.
It is worth inspecting a thatch roof once a week so any issues can be quickly dealt with. It can be expensive to resolve damage if left for too long, especially if a thatch insurance policy is not in place to help cover the costs. One common sign of damage are clumps of the material hanging off, combined with holes above them.
This can indicate that wildlife, such as birds or rodents, has gotten into the roof. If you suspect this is the case, contact a thatch roof specialist who can advise you on whether your suspicions are true. While such a professional can repair the damage, it is a good idea to invest in a wire covering to place over the roof to prevent the issue of unwanted wildlife from occurring.
You might not want to put anything over your thatch, but it will be worth it in the long run if it means you no longer have to worry about birds and rats ruining the outwardly appearance of your property.
It can cost hundreds of pounds a year to maintain a thatch roof, particularly if you want it to always look its best. This isn’t always realistic, because as soon as the straw is laid it will gradually begin to rot. There is also the risk of fire damage. While a property with this type of roof isn’t more susceptible to a fire than a house with a standard roof, it does mean that should a blaze occur, the flames will spread more quickly and potentially cause severe damage. Thatch insurance covers this risk, whereas typical buildings insurance policies will not.
Another common sign of damage of a thatch roof is rot. As mentioned, straw will deteriorate as soon as it is laid, and there are two options to prevent this getting out of hand. The first is to pay a couple of thousand pounds a year for a professional to maintain the roof and keep it in tip-top condition, while the second is to have a roof re-thatched every few years.
There are different types of straw that can be used for roofs. Ridges last the shortest – around ten years – followed by longstraw and combed wheat. The most durable material to make a thatch roof out of is water reed, which can last upwards of 30 years.
Whichever type of straw you choose, they will all show similar signs of decay that indicates the material needs dealing with. These include surface clumping, cracking and light coloured patches showing through.
Some homeowners are happy to let these light areas continue to spread until they have the time and money to replace the entire roof, while others prefer to deal with the issue as soon as noticeable. Either way, it is important to choose a professional thatcher with a good reputation to carry out the repairs for you, as they will understand the logistics involved, such as avoiding cutting into electrical wiring.
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