Customer Stories

Large expanse of brickwork with extensive cracking

Contemporary terrace of houses with large expanse of brickwork with extensive cracking – introducing remedial movement joints and repair the cracking brickwork.

The subject buildings were a terrace of domestic residences of cavity construction, circa 1970s typical of London and Kent.

The Structural Problems

Our inspection revealed many significant cracks to and from windows and to the lower valley of the roofs, along with evidence of many previous repairs. No expansion joints were noted.

Discussion

The cracking noted was not attributable to significant subsidence but to seasonal moisture, thermal expansion and contraction (i.e. hygrothermal).

This considerable length of continuous brickwork had been constructed without the benefit of any expansion joints.

Structural Repair Solution

AWT completed a structural repair / remedial scheme that provided a viable repair by introducing expansion joints, bed joint reinforcement beaming and crack stitching.

With a hydraulic twin diamond bladed saw we cut a 10mm wide joint to the full depth of the external skin and thereafter formed a flexible joint, all in accordance with AWT’s methods.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems in London and Kent. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.