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Chartwell hutch repair

Steph2790

Young Bun
Hi everyone :wave: was just wondering if anybody knows of anywhere that sell spares for the chartwell rabbit hutches? We've had our 5ft chartwell double hutch for over 8 years and it's been brilliant. Just recently the rain cover had failed (silly cats siting on top of the hutch) and we didn't notice it had torn, this has resulted in the roof dipping down inside quite a lot. The hutch is absolutely fine so it seems silly to buy another hutch for the sake of the roof.

If anyone has ever repaired or made a new hutch roof themselves is it easy to do? What sort of resources would I need to souce - I assume the roof is made of plywood? Which probably isn't the greatest material to be making roofs from in the first place :?

Many thanks in advance :D
 
I have re-roofed hutches before. Depending on how big the hutch is and its construction, I have put a suggested shopping list together from Wickes as it was easy to find (discounts often available if you order online). Timber yards will be cheaper. You will need basic tools - drill, drill bits, screwdriver, saw, tape measure, etc. Roofing felt is much easier to handle on a nice warm day as it is flexible without cracking.

If the old roof is too far gone, remove it and replace it. I tend to add a new sheet over the old if possible. That way I can add a bigger overhang without any other alterations (especially at the front so I don't get dripped on) and more of a slope for better drainage (add a batten right across the front - fasten to the hutch with screws, then screw the new roof on top). Materials you might need:

Batten: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Treated-Sawn-38-x-47-x-1800mm/p/9000036485
Screws for batten: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-External-Grade-Screws-Green-No-8x50mm-Pack-20/p/156548
Screws for roof sheeting: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-External-Grade-Screws-Green-No-6x23mm-Pack-30/p/156544
or http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-External-Grade-Screws-Green-No-8-x-23mm-Pack-25/p/156546

New roof sheet:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-General-Purpose-OSB3-Board-9-x-1200-x-2400mm/p/102972
or: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Structural-Softwood-Plywood-CE2+-18x1220x2440mm/p/120945 (although you may find some thinner structural ply elsewhere)

Cut the sheet to the size you need, screw on to the battens / old roof via some main parts of the hutch structure, then cover it in roofing felt using large headed zinc nails. If you have an overhang all round, the felt is easier to tuck underneath to make it more waterproof:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/IKO-Green-Mineral-Shed-Felt-10-x-1m/p/164174
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-General-Purpose-Tacks-16mm-40g/p/516100
or use a suitable stapler (like ones for paper, but more substantial).

I also tend to cover any hutch / shed roof with a corrugated bitumen sheet as it gives much better protection for many years:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Onduline-Green-Corrugated-Bitumen-Sheet-950-x-2000mm/p/240059
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Profile-Sheeting-Nails-70mm-Green-PK20/p/240099
 
I have re-roofed hutches before. Depending on how big the hutch is and its construction, I have put a suggested shopping list together from Wickes as it was easy to find (discounts often available if you order online). Timber yards will be cheaper. You will need basic tools - drill, drill bits, screwdriver, saw, tape measure, etc. Roofing felt is much easier to handle on a nice warm day as it is flexible without cracking.

If the old roof is too far gone, remove it and replace it. I tend to add a new sheet over the old if possible. That way I can add a bigger overhang without any other alterations (especially at the front so I don't get dripped on) and more of a slope for better drainage (add a batten right across the front - fasten to the hutch with screws, then screw the new roof on top). Materials you might need:

Batten: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Treated-Sawn-38-x-47-x-1800mm/p/9000036485
Screws for batten: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-External-Grade-Screws-Green-No-8x50mm-Pack-20/p/156548
Screws for roof sheeting: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-External-Grade-Screws-Green-No-6x23mm-Pack-30/p/156544
or http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-External-Grade-Screws-Green-No-8-x-23mm-Pack-25/p/156546

New roof sheet:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-General-Purpose-OSB3-Board-9-x-1200-x-2400mm/p/102972
or: http://www.wickes.co.uk/Structural-Softwood-Plywood-CE2+-18x1220x2440mm/p/120945 (although you may find some thinner structural ply elsewhere)

Cut the sheet to the size you need, screw on to the battens / old roof via some main parts of the hutch structure, then cover it in roofing felt using large headed zinc nails. If you have an overhang all round, the felt is easier to tuck underneath to make it more waterproof:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/IKO-Green-Mineral-Shed-Felt-10-x-1m/p/164174
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-General-Purpose-Tacks-16mm-40g/p/516100
or use a suitable stapler (like ones for paper, but more substantial).

I also tend to cover any hutch / shed roof with a corrugated bitumen sheet as it gives much better protection for many years:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Onduline-Green-Corrugated-Bitumen-Sheet-950-x-2000mm/p/240059
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Profile-Sheeting-Nails-70mm-Green-PK20/p/240099

Oh wow thank you so much for such a detailed reply shimmer :) wickes is literally two minutes down the road from me too. Will start looking into the items you've linked. Thanks again :thumb:
 
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