Picture of Irish Thatched Cottages in Adare, Co. Limerick clearly
showing the recent repair to the ridge. Very often, the ridge and
the underneath of the eaves are covered in chicken wire to prevent
birds from dragging at the thatch during nest-making season.
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Advice for Owners of Irish Thatched Cottages.
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*Always seek independent advice from a couple of
different sources before stripping a roof to have it
re-thatched. Very often, a shabby looking roof needs no more
that a surface stripping and a layer a few inches thick of new
thatch replaces. Obviously, this is far less expensive that
having the entire roof replaced.
*Remember to keep workmen away from the roof, and
only allow those who are prepared to follow your instructions to go
near the thatch. A general list of workmen who might wish to go on
your roof could include:- chimney cleaner; aerial erector
etc. I once watched in horror across a field as a plumber who
was putting in a new cooker at the house, walk across the ridge of a
thatch roof and I knew immediately that he was causing serious
damage to the scallops (hazelwood pins) and the thatch, but I was
too far away to do anything about it. Sure enough, the ridge
began to slip within a year or two of the plumber's roof-walk and
the thatcher had to come back and do a few days work. All for
the want of a good roof ladder and a bit of common
sense.
*As a general rule, T.V. aerials (antennae) should
be kept away from your thatched roof. Water dropping from the
aerial is damaging but the biggest danger is from the people going
on your roof. There is also the danger of the aerial blowing
onto the roof causing damage. Perhaps one of the main reasons
for not having a TV antenna on your thatched cottage is because it
would look terrible. Sometimes, there might be no other option but
most areas can now get satellite reception so a satellite dish on a
pole in the yard away from the house is a better option.
*It goes without saying that naked flames should be
kept away from the thatched roof but I have seen flat roof
extensions to the rear of thatched houses that are cause for
alarm. There was a time when bituminous substance was used to affix
layers of roofing felt to flat roofs, and that was okay as long as
the heating of the bitumen was carried out a distance from the
house. Modern roofing felts tend to be of the torch-on variety
and are heated with a blow-torch in-situ to melt them to the timber
subsurface of the flat roof. I imagine this behaviour beside
thatch would negate every insurance policy ever written for a
thatched house.
*Remember to enjoy the visit of the Thatcher when
you do need him. Thatching is something that cannot be rushed
and it is rewarding to have seen the roof being created for your own
Irish Cottage.
*Local Authorities usually have information
regarding grants available for thatching and thatch repairs. If your
house is a protected structure, you may qualify for a grant from the
Heritage Council.
*When seeking insurance for thatched house, don't
be put off if the first company you approach, refuses to give you a
quotation. Use the Yellow Pages, the internet, the local
Authority, etc. We will gladly list (for free) any Insurance
companies who cover thatched houses.
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