Hatherleigh, Devon  

DEA's Part 1 & 2. @ 9.00 - 1.00

HI's Parts 1,2 & 3.@ 9.00 - 5.30

The Understanding Thatch Course is in 3 parts:-

• 1/. An Introduction to Thatch & assessment for an EPC.
• 2/. A walk around the town to see some of the 30 plus thatched cottages nearby.
• 3/. Defects in Thatched Roofs and the Condition Rating of Thatched Roofs for a Home Condition Report.

Who should attend?
Attendees will include  Home Inspectors, Domestic Energy Assessors and those training for these qualifications, Building Surveyors, Architects and Estate Agents.  A prior knowledge of old buildings will be necessary.

Outline
This Powerpoint based course is ideally suited to those people who need to have a greater understanding of thatch and how a thatched roof works.  It is designed to equip specialist Inspectors, Assessors and Surveyors with the knowledge to identify most defects in a thatched roof, to know what caused them and how to apply a Condition Rating to thatched roofs and to assess a thatched roof for an EPC.

There will be a model of a thatched roof, examples of different fixings, and materials.

Scope of the Course

Part 1 An Introduction to Thatch and EPC's.
This will cover some history of thatch, the materials used, regional styles, the different methods of thatching - Combed Wheat Reed, Long Straw and Water Reed, ridging techniques, some roof construction, tools and fixings, how to recognise the different materials, fire precautions, factors affecting the life of thatch and its maintenance. For the EPC we will cover recognition of internal fire barriers and how to arrive at energy ratings for thatch.

This is a morning course and includes refreshments, a light lunch, a full set of course notes and a CPD Certificate for 3 hours. Cost: £100 (DCHI members £95)

Part 2 See a selection of Thatched Properties.
When the course is held in Hatherleigh, West Devon, there will be an opportunity to walk round the town and see and assess the external condition of some of the 30 or so thatched houses and cottages within half a mile of Thomas Roberts House.

This follows on from an Introduction to Thatch and EPC's and is before lunch. Cost: Free

Part 3 Defects in Thatch and Condition rating for an HCR.
This will cover; external defects specific to thatched roofs that include:- chimneys, roof coverings, rainwater pipes and guttering, windows in thatch or dormers. Internal defects include:- roof frames and ceilings. It is intended that time will be spent doing practical condition ratings on a selection of thatched roofs from photographs.

This afternoon course is aimed at Home Inspectors and surveyors and is inclusive of Parts 1 & 2. A prior knowledge of old buildings is necessary. It includes refreshments, a light lunch, a full set of course notes with a comprehensive check list and guidance notes on how to condition rate a thatched roof, and a CPD Certificate for 7 hours. Cost: £160 (DCHI members £140 )

Achievements
By the end of the course attendees should have a basic understanding of how a thatched roof works, how thatch is attached, be able to identify the different types of thatching and materials used.  They will have a reasonable understanding of the common defects found in thatched roofs, they will be able to condition rate most thatched roofs for a building survey, or an HCR and be able to assess the thatched roof for an EPC.

The course will be lead by Charles Chalcraft who is both a Licensed Home Inspector, an Associate Member of the Devon and Cornwall Master Thatchers Association, An Associate Member of The National Society Of Master Thatchers and a Member of the Devon and Cornwall Home Inspector's Association. 

Please email me an expression of interest if you would like to attend an Understanding Thatch Course in Devon or if you have a group and you would like me to come to you.

Contact: Charles on 01837 811278 or email thatchcourses@thatchedhomeinspector.co.uk