On the one hand many of us love the idea of a chocolate box cottage covered in thatch but on the other hand, we all worry about the potential fire hazard and the cost of maintaining a thatched home.
However, much of the downsides of owning a thatched property are myths. Typically they are no more complicated than owning a normal home with a normal roof. You just need to understand what the differences are between a thatched roof and a tiled one, and know a good Thatcher!
Top five things you need to know about a thatched home:-
1. The Risks of Owning a Thatched Home
The key risks of owning a thatched property include fire and the risk of unwanted rodents inhabiting your roof. However, the risk from fire is much lower now as modern day precautions and treatments mean it’s less likely this will happen, as the thatch can be pre-treated to reduce the spread of fire should it occur. We’ve all probably had birds nesting in our roof, but thatched roofs also attract rats and even squirrels and the best way to keep them from your thatch is to attract them to other areas of the garden via feeding boxes.
2. You need to use the professionals!
Thatching is a skill that’s acquired over time, so make sure you secure the services of a good Thatcher. Remember that a ‘master’ Thatcher hasn’t necessarily taken any exams to get this position, but it should signify they are qualified to do the job. Speak to the person selling the home or nearby neighbours with thatched roofs to ensure you find a reliable Thatcher. Ideally get three quotes and references before any major work, such as fitting a new roof, and ensure the quote is broken down into labour and the type of materials they are planning to use.
3. Costs of re-roofing and maintaining a thatched home
It’s important to be aware that there are different types of thatch which are of differing levels of quality. On average, repairing a thatched roof can cost somewhere between £600-£800 per square foot and can last for just 15-20 years or 30-40 years depending on the quality of thatch and how well it was fitted.
4. Rules and regulations
For many owners of thatched properties you are likely to have to adhere to third party rules and regulations for example, Grade II Listing or the property might be in a Conservation area. Make sure when buying, your legal company clearly states any restrictions on maintaining and extending the property.
5. Secure specialist insurance
Ordinary home insurance will not cover a property that has a thatched roof, mainly because most insurance companies don’t understand that a thatched roof is rarely any more of an insurance risk than a normal one. It is essential that you secure insurance from a specialist company not only because they will be more understanding if you make a claim, but also because the premiums are likely to be more reasonable than a non-specialist company. Contact Towergate Insurance for more information.
So, don’t be put off buying a thatched home, just make sure you understand how to and the cost of maintaining and replacing a thatched roof before you decide to buy and sign on the dotted line!
About the Author:
Kate is one of the top property experts in the UK and regularly quoted in the press including the Telegraph, Independent, Times, Daily Mail and Express, and has appeared on BBC2, as well as featured on BBC Radio 4 and a number of local BBC Radio stations.
Kate has also been a consultant to the property sector for a number of years and is the author of a number of books, including four for Which? – Buy, Sell, Move House, Renting and Letting, Develop your Property and the Property Investment Handbook.
Contact Kate Faulkner at http://www.designsonproperty.co.uk/
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Top five things you need to know about thatched properties
Filed under Home Insurance by on Jan 23rd, 2010. Comment. 
Whether you have had a small leak in one of your pipes or a full out flood, water damage mold is nothing to be taken lightly. Mold can be very persistent and hard to get rid of and it can also be hazardous to your health. Not only that but if left unchecked, mold will ruin any surface it grows on.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a fungi whose job it is to decompose things. We often think of it as decomposing vegetables, bread and other foods that have been left around but when it gets into your home, mold can decompose your carpets, your drywall, your clothing, your books and any other organic surface in your home.
Mold loves more sure which is why water damage mold is so common in flooded areas. Since mold spores are always present outside, it doesn’t take too much for them to get inside you all in all they need is a moist area, some organic material and the temperature of between two and 40°C. Needless to say, you don’t have to experience a major flood to get mold in your home.
What To Do
If you have mold in your home whether it’s from a simple leak in a pipe or your basement flooding, you want to assess the extent of the damage. Get into the area and see how bad the mold is. If it is excessive, you probably want to check your insurance policy to see if mold damage is covered and then call the insurance company. In many cases a mold remediation company is necessary to remove the mold safely.
If you just have a minor leak at a pipe that has caused a little area of mold that you may be able to remove yourself. The first thing is to be sure of where the mold this. Remember, it can grow on wood, drywall, carpeting, fabrics and books so you want to check to make sure if any of these items around that they do not have mold on them.
When removing the moldy items, you want to be sure that you seal him in a bag so that the mold spores do not become airborne and find another place to grow in your house. If it is a big job, you want to section off the entire area and be sure to have ventilation to the outside. Also, wear protective clothing when cleaning or removing mold as water damage mold can be very hazardous to your health.
Don’t let water damage mold ruin your home! Visit http://www.householdmoldguide.com to find out more about getting rid of mold as well as it’s health hazards.
Filed under Home Insurance by on Jan 14th, 2010. Comment.
Buying a home is generally considered a great investment. However, a surprising number of people fail to take actions to protect their investment. Any number of misfortunes can befall a home at great cost to the owners. A simple way to avoid excessive payment for damages is purchasing home insurance.
Home insurance is not required for homeowners unless there is a mortgage involved. However, most people opt to purchase home insurance anyway because its rewards far outweigh its costs. Most people end up needing at least some portion of their home insured at some point, and when the cost of the home is considered, it simply does not make sense to skip home insurance.
Home insurance generally covers the structure of your home. This should cover any damage that occurs from most accidents but not general wear and tear. Storms, fires, and other disasters are usually covered, whereas floods and hurricanes may be extra- it all depends on the individual policy you purchase. This also applies to other structures you have on your property such as garages. Home insurance is very important because no one is immune to these types of disasters.
Home insurance also encompasses your personal property such as the contents of your home. Furniture, clothes and other belongings are usually covered in the case of accidental damage, and this coverage can be very useful if you have some expensive items such as diamond rings. It is important to have appraisals of the most expensive items you own in order to prove their existence and worth. Some home insurance policies will replace these items even if they are lost or damaged outside of the home. Many people consider this a great incentive for purchasing home insurance.
Even if you are not worried about the damages that might occur to your property, home insurance is still a good idea because it covers damages that may be caused to others who are on your property, such as neighbors having an accident in your yard or if your dog attacks someone. This part of your insurance will cover your legal defense costs as well as any lawsuit money awarded to the victims. Lawsuits and legal bills can be quite steep so home insurance is worth it for this reason alone.
Many <a href=\”http://www.aami.com.au/home-insurance/building-insurance-replacement-cover.aspx\”>home insurance policies</a> also cover your living expenses if you are forced to live elsewhere temporarily due to one of the damages listed in your policy. So if your home becomes uninhabitable for a period of time, home insurance will cover your hotel stay or temporary rent in another location while repairs are undertaken. In the midst of a disaster, numerous expenses crop up so living expenses are one less worry for those who have home insurance.
Buying a home is a major purchase and without insurance, you can set yourself up to lose a substantial amount of money. Home insurance helps you protect your investment and to rest easy without worrying about what unforeseen circumstances may occur. Home insurance simply makes sense for smart consumers.
About the Author:
AAMI is a leading car insurance, home insurance, compulsory third party (CTP) and home building insurer.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Home Insurance Is A Must Have
Filed under Home Insurance by on Dec 20th, 2009. Comment.