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Life & Maintenance
The life of a thatched roof
The life of a thatched roof depends on many factors:
Contractors and architects often dare to go further than thatchers do.
The minimum slope of a roof depends also on the shape and length of the coatwork.
Above: the position of reed on a dormer with an inclination of 30 degrees.
Above: the position of reed on a roof with an inclination of 50 degrees.
Formula for a long roof life:
(in order of importance)
Note: There are two types of lifespan: the functional and aesthetic.
(Preventive) maintenance of a thatched roof
Preventive maintenance:
Preventive maintenance on a thatched roof has always been a good idea. That is, keeping the roof in a good condition to ensure that real maintenance can be delayed for as long as possible. When damage due to storm or birds occurs, quick repair is seldom costly. A crack in the masonry of the ridge can also be repaired easily. Damage left unrepaired can cause a leak and the roof to deteriorate faster resulting in a much higher cost of repair. Apart from any subsequent damage.
In recent years preventive maintenance also includes the control of algae and to a lesser degree mosses.
Lifespan of a thatched roof:
A thatched roof has been more affected by the environment than before.
Excessive amounts of eutrophicating material in the air, due to our western lifestyle, cause everything to be covered with a thin layer of algae. On a thatched roof these algae give rise to an increased drying time. The reed remains moist for a longer time.
When this turns into a green sludge on the reed it may extend the drying time such that the reed does not dry during the autumn and winter period (keeping it moist from October to April). This can cause the reed to deteriorate dramatically in a very short time.
The reed does not wear out but becomes soft and degenerates. Below the top staying too wet for too long the reed will decay.
The solution is to treat the roof against the growth of algae and moss vegetation.
Maintenance contract
If wanted, we can offer you an annual inspection on your thatched roof. We inspect it once a year for defects. If necessary, we treat it against algae and moss.
With this maintenance contract we strive to keep the roof in top condition, while you do not have to worry about anything. Because proper maintenance extends the lifespan of your roof.
You can inquire for maintenance contracts.
copyright © 2010 Gregor van den Elzen.
all rights reserved. design primastyle
The life of a thatched roof depends on many factors:
-
In general it can be said: the dryer a roof is on average, the longer the expected life will be.
-
The slope, in combination with the length of the face of a thatched roof is the main factor that determines the lifespan of a thatched roof.
In general, we recommend an angle of at least 45 degrees for a normal coatwork. Short faces and dormers we like to go over carefully before we can give advice
In general, we recommend an angle of at least 45 degrees for a normal coatwork. Short faces and dormers we like to go over carefully before we can give advice
The roof of a dormer is the flattest, so this has to be renewed first.
Because the lifespan of a thatched roof is so strongly influenced by its slope, it is a matter of careful thought how gradual one wants to make the roof.
The minimum slope of a roof depends also on the shape and length of the coatwork.
(in order of importance)
1
Make the roof as steep as possible.
2
Keep the roof free of algae and moss. See also: (preventive) maintenance.
3
Use only first class reed.
4
Keep a margin around the roof free of large trees so wind and sun can reach it.
5
Have small defects repaired as soon as possible.
1
Functional: how long will the roof be watertight?
2
Aesthetic: a new roof is more beautiful than an old roof.
Preventive maintenance:
Preventive maintenance on a thatched roof has always been a good idea. That is, keeping the roof in a good condition to ensure that real maintenance can be delayed for as long as possible. When damage due to storm or birds occurs, quick repair is seldom costly. A crack in the masonry of the ridge can also be repaired easily. Damage left unrepaired can cause a leak and the roof to deteriorate faster resulting in a much higher cost of repair. Apart from any subsequent damage.
In recent years preventive maintenance also includes the control of algae and to a lesser degree mosses.
Lifespan of a thatched roof:
A thatched roof has been more affected by the environment than before.
Excessive amounts of eutrophicating material in the air, due to our western lifestyle, cause everything to be covered with a thin layer of algae. On a thatched roof these algae give rise to an increased drying time. The reed remains moist for a longer time.
When this turns into a green sludge on the reed it may extend the drying time such that the reed does not dry during the autumn and winter period (keeping it moist from October to April). This can cause the reed to deteriorate dramatically in a very short time.
The reed does not wear out but becomes soft and degenerates. Below the top staying too wet for too long the reed will decay.
The solution is to treat the roof against the growth of algae and moss vegetation.
Maintenance contract
If wanted, we can offer you an annual inspection on your thatched roof. We inspect it once a year for defects. If necessary, we treat it against algae and moss.
With this maintenance contract we strive to keep the roof in top condition, while you do not have to worry about anything. Because proper maintenance extends the lifespan of your roof.
You can inquire for maintenance contracts.
copyright © 2010 Gregor van den Elzen.
all rights reserved. design primastyle
