Thatched roof maintenance

If you want to enjoy your thatched roof for as long as possible, then proper maintenance is very important. Think of maintenance as a MOT check for your car; by regularly servicing your thatched roof, you can prevent serious damage. Read more about maintenance costs, maintenance contracts, insurance and handy tips in this article.

Benefits of a well-maintained thatched roof

• Well-maintained thatched roofs have a longer lifespan;
• the chances of a complete renovation, which involves high costs, are minimal;
• the beautiful colour and appearance of your thatched roof remain well intact.

What does maintaining a thatched roof cost?

The cost of maintaining a thatched roof varies widely, depending on the work and the total area of the roof. Sometimes an inspection is enough, unfortunately it also happens that parts of the thatch need to be replaced. On average, the costs are £700 to £1,400 per maintenance job. For the first four to eight years after installation, costs are minimal. The following factors determine how often your thatched roof requires maintenance:

• The age of your thatched roof;
• the extent of moss and algae on your thatched roof;
• the location of the roof, a lot of sun or shade;
• the extent of damage, after any storm.

This is how a thatcher maintains your thatched roof

A well-maintained thatched roof stays damp for less time, increasing its lifespan and keeping it a picture to look at.

This is how to clean and maintain thatched roofing companies clean and maintain thatched roofs:

• The thatcher starts by cleaning the thatched roof by spraying the loose dirt and rotten parts of the roof clean with a high-pressure sprayer;
• the thatcher combs the thatched roof with a kind of hedge trimmer;
• the thatcher taps the thatch tightly on the roof;
• the thatcher applies a special coating that repels water, moss and algae, this is also called impregnation.

Maintenance schedule thatched roof

On average, thatched roofs need a new coating every two years. Every four years, thatchers check the roof for damage and scuffs. Every eight years, the thatcher will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the entire roof.

The frequency of impregnation, damage repair and a complete inspection varies for each thatched roof. Factors that determine the frequency of maintenance are:

• the age of the thatched roof;
• the slope angle of the thatch;
• the position of your roof in relation to trees etc.;
• and the quality of the thatch.

View the average maintenance schedule for a thatched roof below.

Algae and moss on thatched roofs removal

Over the years, algae and moss know how to settle well on your thatched roof. You can recognise this by the layer of slime and green moss on the roof. Are you quick about maintenance? The thatcher will use a high-pressure sprayer to remove the algae and moss from your roof. Your thatched roof is then given a special coating so that your roof is water- and algae-resistant.

You can recognise a damaged roof by algae by the fact that the holes are worn in. If this is the case then maintenance consists of shaving and weeding your thatched roof. The thatcher will cut off the top layer and fill the bare spots with new thatch.

Maintenance contract thatched roof

The benefits of a maintenance contract are:

• Your thatched roof will have a longer lifespan through regular maintenance.
• You know in advance what costs to expect, you won’t have any expensive surprises.
• You don’t have to think about the condition of your thatched roof yourself.
• Your thatched roof remains a picture to look at.

For a fixed annual fee, thatchers run the following items:

• Check for water tightness of the roof;
• check for the presence of mosses and algae;
• check for the quality of the thatch;
• check for lead connections and water drainage;
• depending on the agreements, the two, four and eight annual maintenance sessions.

Did the thatcher find damage? Your thatcher will discuss repairs and any costs with you.

Life of thatched roof

The slope angle of your thatched roof has the greatest influence on its life span. Roofs with a steep slope angle require less frequent maintenance because rainwater and dirt easily slide off the roof. See below how the slope angle affects the lifespan of a thatched roof.

Please be careful with trees close to your thatched roof

Trees or tall shrubs close to the thatched roof have a negative impact on its lifespan. The vegetation makes the wet thatch less likely to dry. The roof is shaded and out of the wind. Remove trees and shrubs that drip rainwater onto the roof. This way you will enjoy the thatched roof for longer. In addition, make sure leaves are removed from the thatch annually.

Insure thatched roof

Many insurers are reluctant to insure traditional thatched roofs. With traditional thatched roofs, it is possible to see the thatch from the inside. These roofs have an increased risk of fire.

Do you have a traditional thatched roof, and still want to take out insurance? The following two steps will make it easier for you to insure your roof:

• Do not install a fireplace. Fireplaces increase the risk of fire. Would you still like a fireplace? Then install a spark arrester.
• Have the thatch treated with a fire-retardant coating. This coating will make your roof less likely to catch fire.

More and more often, we see boards where the thatchers screw reeds onto them. This construction is a lot less fire-prone, the risks are lower as a result, making insurance easier. The reed cannot be seen from the inside.

Tips for finding a thatcher for maintenance

Reeded thatcher from the region

Hire a thatcher from your region. That way you save on call-out fees and the thatcher is quickly on site in case of damage. In addition, this thatcher is familiar with the environmental factors. This way you will receive the best help and advice. Affiliated companies have qualified staff. They hold the “Vakdiploma Rietdekker” certificate. So you can be sure that your thatched roof is in good hands.

Compare thatchers

Request multiple thatcher quotes so you can make a good comparison which thatcher best suits your maintenance needs. Compare the total price for maintenance, whether a maintenance contract is possible, what is included in the price (e.g. VAT and call-out charges), but also the general conditions such as warranty periods.