Water Reed
Thatching to timbers
Preparatory work
Ridgework
Material - good quality long straw, combed wheat reed or sedge
Netting
The ridge should be protected by 20 gauge x 19mm galvanised wire netting. If wire netting is fixed to reed coat, it should conform closely to roof shape.
Preparatory work
- Old wire and thatch to be removed.
- The roof frame shall comply with specifications for thatch.
- The reed is to be secured by adequate fixings to ensure that there is no slippage.
- Every course of reed should be fixed to every rafter with suitable length hooks or other appropriate fixings.
- The dimensions of lateral fixings should be sufficient to ensure that there is no bowing between rafters.
- The water reed shall be sufficiently compact and be of even density to maintain suitable angle.
- The surface of the reed will conform to the pitch of the rafter which will not normally be less than 45 degrees.
- The minimum depth over the batten from the surface of the thatch will not be less than 305mm (12in).
- Lining and backfill courses shall be employed as necessary to avoid the reed laying too flat.
- The depth of reed over fixings will be a minimum of 102mm (4in).
- Facework thicknesses will be maintained throughout all features.
- Soil pipes etc extending through coatwork will be weathered by adequate flashing.
- Box gutters to chimneys will be sufficiently large to accommodate removal of debris.
- Eaves and gables will be dressed to give adequate overhang.
Ridgework
Material - good quality long straw, combed wheat reed or sedge
- All ridges will preferably be of the block pattern type, minimum thickness 76mm (3in) cut to ornamental pattern if required and secured by liggers and cross spars.
- Rolls are normally employed in ridging work, and covered with a 4in minimum thickness.
- The ridge shall be set at the best possible angle dependent on the features of the roof.
- Joints at the chimney etc projecting from the ridge shall be proofed against weather by adequate flashing.
Netting
The ridge should be protected by 20 gauge x 19mm galvanised wire netting. If wire netting is fixed to reed coat, it should conform closely to roof shape.