# Thatched roof repairs in Hertfordshire and the Home Counties

> Not every roof needs a full re-thatch. Often a repair to one area adds years to the life of the coat. Send us photos of the damage with the form, and we give you a free quote.

- Free quotes from your photos
- Storm, bird and vermin damage repaired
- Chimney, valley, dormer and eaves repairs
- Honest advice: repair or re-thatch

## Send us photos first

Take a few photos of the roof from the ground, near and far. Add them to the enquiry form. A master thatcher looks at them and tells you what the repair needs and what it is likely to cost.

If we need to see the roof, we arrange a visit. Repair quotes are always free.

## What we repair

We repair storm damage, worn patches, valleys and the thatch around chimneys and dormers. We re-dress eaves and gables. We also repair holes made by birds and rodents, and fit wire netting to stop them.

We tell you honestly if a repair will last, or if a re-thatch is better value. If the coat has good years left, we say so.

## Moss and roof care

Light moss can protect the thatch, so we often leave it. Very thick moss holds water against the coat, so the thatch decays faster. We decide for each roof, and we remove very thick moss carefully by hand. We also tell you which trees to cut back because they drop leaves on the roof or shade it.

Our Thatch Care Plan gives your roof 1 day of inspection and repairs each year, so small problems never become large ones.

## Questions

### Can I send photos of the roof for a quote?

Yes. Add up to 6 photos to the enquiry form. A master thatcher looks at them and gives you an idea of the work and the cost. If we need to see the roof, we arrange a free visit. Repair quotes are always free.

### Should moss be removed from a thatched roof?

Not always. Light moss can protect the thatch, so it is often best to leave it. Yes, get rid of very thick moss: it holds water against the thatch, so the reed decays faster. We look at each roof and decide. Remove moss carefully by hand, or the coat gets damaged. Cut back trees that shade the roof or drop leaves on it.

### How long does a thatched roof last?

A Norfolk water reed coat lasts 50 years or more, so it is the hardest-wearing material. A combed wheat reed coat usually lasts 25 to 35 years, and a long straw coat 15 to 30 years. The ridge wears faster, so it needs replacing every 10 to 15 years. Roof pitch, shade from trees and the quality of the work all change these figures.

### What is the Thatch Care Plan?

For one fixed fee of £995 + VAT a year, your roof gets 1 day of work from a master thatcher. That 1 day includes the inspection, the written report and the repairs. The repairs can include small patch repairs, moss removal where needed, debris clearance and repairs to loose netting. When we can do a repair there and then, we do it. When the work needs a team, we arrange for a team to come back. If the roof needs work that the plan does not cover, your report includes our recommendations and a separate quote. You also get your insurance report when your insurer asks for it, and priority after a storm. The fee covers work we can do safely from ladders. If the roof needs scaffold, the scaffold costs extra.

Contact C&C Master Thatchers: 07860 292801, info@masterthatchers.biz.

Source: https://ccmasterthatchers.co.uk/services/thatch-repairs/