Moss on the thatch / Repainting the house

[RChurch]

We have a recently noticed a slight build up of moss on our thatched roof (rethatched in 2000). Mainly around the base of the chimney stacks.

Have heard on the grapevine that this can and should be removed where possible - is it necessary? If so can anyone recommend anyone in the Hampshire area / how to do this safely?

Secondly - thinking about repainting the house - some bricks have blown and the paint is starting to crack and bubble slightly in places - based on the previous owners quick fix solutions that we have discovered on the rest of the house I am guessing that he probably used the wrong paint. Is there a right paint and if so can anyone recommend a supplier? However, unless all of the previous coating is removed is it worth using more suitable paint over the top of the wrong paint if you see what I mean! Grade II listed brick and flint cottage.

Any advice would be gratefully received!

 

[middi]

The moss developing on your thatch would be more premanent to the north side of the building and it will eventually need to faster deterioration of the thatch fabric. depending on the constitution of this, long straw or reeds, it will sorten its life at differing rate of decay.

It is worth removing exessive build up if possible, bearing in mind that the original stages of decay has already taken place and it will keep reoccurring.

I am no thatch expert and do not know if there is a natural remedy to retard the decay process and stop the moss build up.

I do know that thatched roofs with patches of growing moss on them look so romantic it makes all life's troubles melt away. ( albeit for a short while).

As to the painting of the brickwork, it is a shame that this was painted originally, and the best and the quickest thing you can do is repair and repaint in similar materials already used.

The ironic thing is that by painting the bricks in the first place has probably led to these deteriorating faster.

 

[Moreteyne]

Rchurch

We used to have a thatch in Norfolk which luckily for us was re thatched whilst we lived there. The same issue is known throughout, and the build up can be worse at times depending on the weather. We were advised by the thatcher to apply a fungicide where it was most prominent a couple of times a year. Whilst this may help , I think it depends on how much you have.

As for the wall , I think you know the real answer is to remove the paint, lime wash etc..... sounds like a lot or work , but you could tackle this a bit at a time. Think of it as a restoration hobby.

 

[biffvernon]

We were advised by the thatcher to apply a fungicide.

Since moss is not a fungus...
There is a tradition of putting a copper wire wire across the top of the thtach as moss does not like the copper salts that wash down, but it is doubtful whether this actually works. The advice from my thatcher friend is that moss does tend to stop the thatch drying out and will shorten its life and it is best to just scrape the moss off with your hands.