Water Reed

Thatching to timbers
Preparatory work 

• Old wire and thatch to be removed. 
• The roof frame shall comply with specifications for thatch. 

Fixings 

• 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. 

Coatwork 

• 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.




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