Among the biggest concerns for thatched house owners is the possibility of a fire taking hold in their property and causing thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
While it is a myth that fires are more common in thatched homes, it is true that serious damage is more likely to be caused in this type of house if there is a fire, compared to other residences.
But there is a lot that thatched house owners can do to reduce the risk of fire in their properties and by taking these measures they can ensure they have a level of protection for their home.
With many of the UK’s remaining thatched properties located in the region, Suffolk County Council recently advised owners of this type of house of some of the things they can do to cut the risk of fire in their building.
Chimney faults
As many as 90 per cent of fires in thatched houses are caused by problems with the chimney or the fireplace, so this must be a part of the home property owners pay close attention to.
Having the chimney cleaned professionally on a regular basis will cut the risk of a fire taking hold, as will having it inspected by a specialist to ensure there are no issues that need repairing.
Investigations show heat transfer is the main cause of fire in thatched properties so ensuring this runs as smoothly as possible has to be a major priority.
Insulating the chimney’s flue properly can help to cut the risk of a fire and thatched house owners will want to ensure this task is carried out to a very high standard to reduce the risk of fire.
Electrical issues
Another of the most common causes of fire in houses with a thatched roof is electrical problems and these can be prevented by having the electrics of the building checked by a professional on a regular basis.
Spark arrestors have also been blamed as the cause of some fires in these types of properties and many thatched houses will have them, as advice previously claimed they can help to prevent sparks issuing from the chimney and lighting the thatch.
However, investigations have now found that if spark arrestors become blocked they may cause more harm than good so thatched house owners will have to decide whether or not these are the right choice for their needs.
Insurance for thatched properties
While there are many measures thatched property owners can take to reduce the risk of a fire in their home, they must still be alert to the possibility an incident of this type could happen.
This is why thatched property insurance is such a vital purchase for anyone living in this type of building, as the level of cover will protect you in the event of the worst happening.
As many insurers from the high street will not cover a thatched house, owners of this type of property may need to seek advice from a specialist broker, who will be able to help them to find the appropriate level of cover for their needs.
Thatched property insurance might be a cost some homeowners believe they can manage without, but this is a massive risk and it is much better to be safe rather than sorry.
