Customer Stories

Severely Leaning Gable Walls & Roof

When AWT surveyed this 1970s cavity wall bungalow in Canterbury it was obviously in a perilous condition. The gable walls at either end of the property were leaning far beyond the tipping point. Urgent action was required to prevent collapse.

AWT provided a permanent and cost-effective structural repair without rebuilding work on the walls or removal of the roof.

The Structural Problem

The roof structure including the roof trusses and both brickwork gable walls were leaning precariously to the left. The walls were some 250mm/9.8 inches from vertical. This is far beyond the tipping point and makes structural collapse inevitable.

Inspection of the roof revealed no braces had been installed on the roof trusses. The roof tiles, fascia boards and soffits had warped with the structural movement but remained intact. The property also lacked effective wall ties.

These deficiencies in the original construction left the gable walls unrestrained. Over time, the weight of the roof structure and the heavy roof tiles caused the gable walls to lean significantly.

The Structural Solution

The structural repairs had 3 main elements:

• Restoring the gable walls to vertical
• Bracing the roof trusses
• Reinforcing & repairing the brickwork

AWT designed and installed temporary steel anchors on the right side of the building and attached steel frames to both gable walls. The structure was realigned using AWT’s specialist hydraulic and screw-powered jacks. This shifted the gable brickwork, roof, fascias and soffits back to the vertical position.

To ensure a permanent repair, AWT installed roof truss braces and wall ties. The brickwork gable walls were reinforced and restrained to prevent leaning.

Disturbed areas of mortar and damaged bricks were repaired with carefully matched replacements. The result is a nearly invisible repair with no visible fixings, no rebuilding work and minimal disruption for the residents.

AWT provides cost-effective structural repairs for a wide range of structural issues. Our specialist tools and techniques allow rapid and permanent structural repairs without the high price and disruption of rebuilding work.

We work with structural engineers, architects and project managers to find economical and effective solutions. We operate not only in Kent, but across London and the whole South East of England.

To book a time for one of our surveyors to visit your property or to discuss your requirements, call us today on 01227 721255, email us at enquiries@actionwallties.co.uk or use our contact form to get in touch.