Method of work

• To set up ladders etc safely as per the on site assessment guidelines.
• To remove existing netting as needed, fold up and dispose of off site in skip.
• To remove existing thatch as required for particular job and collect into bags.
• To fix eaves to roof, to overhang existing enough so a proper cut can be made, the most outward point of the new straw from the wall should be a point at which the eaves are cut.
• Packing should be used where needed, to ensure correct angles and firmness.
• The distance a course of material travels up the roof should be small enough to definitely secure the previous course again. Constant checks are needed.
• Packing should be used at ridge or top course level to ensure the correct pitch and firmness.
• The coat work should be smooth and level where possible.
• Ridge to be packed when working if appears soft areas when sparring down
• Ridge if sheared off to merge into coat-work without a line showing.
• Ridge to be of a neat and sharp appearance if a block pattern is cut.
• Area between turnover rows of spars and top row to be of a level and not lumpy appearance.
• All coat-work to be trimmed or brushed and all course marks and dents to be removed.
• Constant checking from the ground is required for all the above actions.
• All eaves to be trimmed and cut to leave a sharp neat finish, there is to be no dents or wobbly bull-nosed area, this is the finishing touch to the job, if this procedure takes a little more time than thought, it doesn’t matter. Constant checking from the ground is definitely required.
• All flag and leaf from eaves to be brushed off.
• All area and ridges under chimneys should be packed and made firm.
• All brickwork under thatch level that is exposed when working to be checked and reported.
• All flashings around chimneys to be functional, neat and tidy.
• Wire netting to be hung on roof with small overlap and of a straight appearance from the ground, constant checking is needed.
• All bubbles to be removed from netting, without over stretching wire.
• Wire to be folded around eaves very neatly, not pinched or pulled up through, as this is again a finishing touch to the job and if it takes more time than originally thought, then it doesn’t matter. Checking from ground is required.
• Wire to be fixed under eaves before thatching onto flat roofs.
• Care to be taken near plants, pots, outbuildings, and windows etc.
• To leave site tidy as working and spot clean at the end of job.