Care and maintenance of a thatched roof

Care, maintenance and repair are crucial factors that determine the longevity of a thatched roof. Preventive care and maintenance is of great importance for a roof. Proper care can help delay expensive renovations. If there is bird or storm damage, immediate action rarely costs much. A crack in the ridge masonry is easy to repair. However, if it does not react, water can penetrate to the affected areas. Over time, the amount of money needed to repair the damage multiplies and unpredictable consequential damage can occur. Algae, moss and fungus are considered the main causes of damage to thatched roofs or premature aging. Therefore, in recent years, combating algae and, to a lesser extent, moss has become part of maintenance work.

General care and maintenance of a thatched roof

As part of the general care of a thatched roof, it is advisable to clean and tighten the roof once a year.

The better a thatched roof is cared for and maintained, the longer it will last. A dirty roof with pine needles, leaves, moss and algae will take longer to dry than a clean roof. The wet and damp condition of the roof, in turn, promotes the growth of fungi, which feed on the cellulose and thus break down the thatch. Timely and professional maintenance extends the life of a roof many times over. Therefore, maintenance work is cheaper in the long run than might appear at first glance.

The reverse is also true. A lack of care always has a negative effect on the longevity of the roof. The following measures can help your thatched roof:

• Cleaning thatched roof
• Repairing thatched roof
• Fighting algae and moss on thatched roof
• Surrounding tree cuttings

Algae and moss control on thatched roofs

The drier a roof is, the longer it lasts. Wind and sun are primarily responsible for the “natural drying out” of the roof. So, if a roof isn't exposed to both of these elements, it can't dry efficiently and the likelihood of a film of algae forming increases. This layer can seal the roof surface tightly and causes the roof to stay wet longer. The result is reduced roof life. It is therefore important to try to control algae growth. In case of dryness, an algaecide can be applied. The control agent is applied to the roof with a spray gun (avoid high pressure). Algae and moss are killed, and as the thatched roof becomes drier on average, fungi lose their livelihood. Measures aimed solely at fungi would at best address the symptoms and not the cause of the growth. This procedure is inexpensive and worthwhile as it can save money on necessary renovations and make your roof last longer (an additional 10-15 years).
A welcome side effect is that your roof looks better. If the algae is not removed in time, you can easily spend ten times as much on renovation work. After carrying out maintenance work, additional protective treatment must be carried out. If you don't do this, it will take the remaining moss and algae less than a year to recover and spread all over the roof again.