If you are fortunate enough to own a property with a thatched roof, the care, maintenance and repair of this type of roof will determine the durability of it. As the cost of replacing a thatched roof is extremely high, preventive care and maintenance is of great importance. If the roof is damaged by birds or by the elements immediate action can reduce the costs involved. For instance, a crack in the masonry of the ridge is easily fixed. However, if you fail to act quickly then water can penetrate the roof and can cause further damage.

Algae, moss and fungi are considered to be the main cause of damage on thatched roofs, so the control of algae and moss needs to be part of the ongoing maintenance.

It is recommended that a thatched roof is cleaned and re-tightened once a year. This ongoing maintenance is essential to the durability of the thatch. A roof that is covered with leaves, moss and algae needs more time to dry than a clean roof. The wet, damp conditions of an uncleaned roof does in turn promote the growth of fungi which affects the thatching reed.

A thatched roof ideally should be cleaned by hand. With the help of different types of rake, the roof can be cleared of leaves and moss during a dry spell as the moss is easier to remove in these conditions.