Tin roof maintenance

The maintenance of thatched roofs is essential to ensure that the roof retains not only its aesthetic appearance but also its durability over a long period of time. By combining different maintenance methods, we ensure that the roof can withstand the elements and other environmental influences.
The age at which this should be done for which roofs depends on many things. For example: how windy or draughty is the house? What is the pitch of the roof? Are there tall trees around the roof? The foliage that sticks to the surface does not allow the roof to ventilate. What fasteners did the thatcher use? If he was not using stainless materials, the rusted sap that leaches out of them can start the composting process very quickly. Was there any surface treatment? 

1. Cleaning, cleaning and rinsing

Recommended for roofs 5-8 years old

One of the first steps in the maintenance process is to remove moss. Moss is not only an aesthetic problem, but can also be dangerous as it retains moisture, thus promoting composting of the reed. Removing these plants is essential to maintaining the longevity of the roof. Once the roof has been cleaned, the entire surface of the roof is pounded and beaten. This involves re-compressing the thatch structure, making the roof more compact and stronger. The compressed thatch will also be more resistant to wind and rain 

2. Fighting, "plugging"

Recommended for roofs 15-20 years old

As the roof ages, further interventions are needed. At a later maintenance stage, it may again be necessary to remove the moss, but at this stage the roof will also need to be reinforced, a process known as needling or plugging. Pinning is the process of stapling a new handful of bundles of about 50 cm between the existing worn parts. This restores the original thickness and structure of the roof. This process ensures that the thatched roof retains its solidity and extends its life by up to several decades. By inserting new thatch, we increase the roof's strength and ensure that it is more resistant to the elements 

3. Overlay (cover)

If the surface of the thatched roof is already significantly worn, a more radical solution is needed. In this case, we apply a covering, which means that a new layer of thatch 20 cm thick is applied on top of the existing roof. The first stage of the process is to remove the entire worn surface of the existing old roof. Typically, underneath the worn layer, the quality of the old thatch is still in good condition even for roofs that are 30 to 40 years old. This process is used to renew the entire roof surface without having to replace the entire roof. The new layer of thatch is organically bonded to the existing one and the two layers together ensure the durability of the roof and a natural, fresh appearance. This overlay is not only aesthetically beneficial, but also functional, as it protects the old roof from further wear and tear and weather damage

When this three-step maintenance process is combined with the surface treatment procedures we recommend, you can be sure that your thatched roof will serve its owner for many decades. In our work, we take great care to use the most modern techniques while preserving the values of traditional thatching methods. This regular maintenance not only guarantees the beauty of the roof, but also its safety and durability.