Bay window spreading, dropping arches /lintels and cracking brickwork Archives - Page 3 of 3

Unstable Masonry on Victorian/Edwardian Bay Window

AWT was called in after replacement bay windows had been fitted to this period property in London SE15. Cracks had appeared in the surrounding masonry plus outward movement of the two storey bay window’s supporting masonry column, lintel and brickwork.

A temporary support had been put in place but urgent action was required to restore structural integrity.

Collapsing Bay Window

What started out as a simple home improvement revealed structural issues with this Victorian/Edwardian period property in Lewisham, SE London. The masonry of the 2 storey bay window had become unstable and was being supported with a temporary prop. AWT were able to realign and reinforce the structure without the need to demolish and rebuild the brickwork.

Specialist Bay Window Repairs

AWT have designed and developed specialist realigning cramping equipment. This provides a stable framework that then allows careful use of hydraulic rams to realign the distorted brickwork. The brickwork arches, columns and masonry elements were returned to the level of the adjacent brickwork and joints were closed up again.

Custom made, stainless steel reinforcing restraints were introduced into the brickwork, leaving no visible support. This is an important consideration, especially for period properties.

Attention to Detail

AWT’s specialist structural repair skills saved the ornate stucco rendered brickwork around the windows from being destroyed. AWT’s attention to detail includes matching not only the colour but also the texture of the original mortar when repointing the disturbed areas. When the stucco render was painted the whole area looked as good as new.

AWT’s structural repairs are quicker and more cost effective than using a general builder. AWT are able to get to the root cause of bay window structural issues and provide a long term solution.

AWT provide help for owners of period properties across the South East – Greater London, Surrey, Kent, Sussex and Essex.

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

Unstable Bay Window

Bay Window Cracking & Sagging After Installing New UPVC Windows

The bay windows in this London, SW2, property had become unstable due to the removal of the original timber windows for replacement double glazing installation. Problems were manifested as cracks in the plaster and brickwork. Gaps also opened up between the ceiling and the bay wall.

AWT was able to restore structural integrity to the bay window without the need for slow, costly rebuilding work. AWT provided a cost effective, long term repair with minimal disruption to the ongoing restoration project.

case study 5b62dbe93c42d4.63894392 - Unstable Bay Window — Gaps, cracks & damaged brickwork. Structural issues caused by replacing windows in period bay windows.

Common symptoms of structural issues arising from fitting replacement windows into bay windows include:

Cracks in internal walls around bay window
Gaps opening up between the ceiling and the bay window wall
Difficulty opening/closing windows
Cracks in external brickwork
Bay window masonry sagging
Bay window masonry leaning/pulling away from the main elevation

The Structural Problem with the Bay Window

During the refurbishment of this mid-terraced Victorian/Edwardian period property in Brixton, South West London it became evident that there was a serious structural issue with the bay windows. Cracks were radiating out from the bay window brickwork and the first floor bay window was leaning outward. Both the plaster and the brickwork showed significant cracking.

The Action Wall Ties team quickly discerned that when UPVC windows had previously replaced the original timber sash window frames the supports afforded at the head of the bay had been removed. This had allowed the bay window to sag, drop and rotate away from the main elevational house wall.

Initially, temporary supports were put in place to the underside of the first floor front bay window masonry. This prevented further deterioration of the brickwork.

This is a common problem that AWT is called to repair. Removal of timber sash windows from a bay window often leaves the bay window brickwork without sufficient support. Structural problems with the bay window masonry may become evident during or after the fitting of new double glazed units to the bay window.

Restoring Structural Integrity to the Bay Window

Action Wall Ties’ plan involved restoring the structural strength integrity of the bay window and redistributing the load from the upper storey of the property.

Utilising our specially developed equipment, tooling, methods and skilled staff allowed the realignment of the leaning masonry. This was followed by the fabrication and installation of remedial steelwork and fixings. The introduction of bed joint reinforcement beaming, to form composite beams within the masonry, together with lateral restraints restored the structural strength, all with minimal impact on the face of the brickwork.

Action Wall Ties used bed joint reinforcement beaming, lateral restraints and grout tie injection to reinforce the masonry. Steel lintels and columns were also fitted.

Replacement bricks were colour matched to blend with the original masonry. The pointing style and mortar mixture were also designed to match the original texture and colour.

Action Wall Ties serve customers in SW London and throughout the South East i.e. in Kent, Greater London, Sussex, Essex and Surrey. We are often called in by homeowners encountering bay window problems following the fitting of new double glazed windows. We are experts in repairing and stabilising bay window brickwork and stonework.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems including issues with bay windows. Contact us on 01227 721 255, email us or use our contact form.

Failing Bressummer Lintel Due to Brown Rot

This Victorian/Edwardian terraced property with a render finish in South East London was suffering from advanced brown rot in the wooden bay window lintel and floor joists.

The Structural Problem

Brown Rot had taken hold in the horizontal load bearing timber beam in the front bay window of this home in the Hither Green, SE13 area of London. The rot had also spread to the adjacent cantilevered floor joists.

The beam and joists were no longer strong enough to support the weight of the building. The bay window area of the property was becoming unstable. The brickwork was cracking and bulging.

If structural repairs are sought early enough or if the structural defect is localised, as in this case, AWTs specialist repair techniques may allow for repairs without removing the render. The small disturbed areas of render can then be made good with a concrete repair mortar system.

The Structural Repair Solution

Action Wall Ties acted quickly to firstly stabilise the structure to prevent further movement.

Before installing temporary supports and starting to uncover the Bressummer beam AWT installed Bed Joint Reinforcement Beaming both externally and internally. Box beams were also installed.

Bed Joint Reinforcement Beaming requires precision drilling and injection of stainless steel bars and Cementitious grout into the brickwork. No fixings are visible once the work is complete. Re-pointing with colour matched sand and cement mortar gives a neat finish.

This vital work redistributed the upper storey loads to those parts of the supporting structure which were best able to carry them. It also assisted in restraining any further diagonal cracking and bulging of the brickwork.

When the temporary supports were in place the bay window beam and rotten floor joist were replaced. With the structural integrity restored, this property can now continue to be a home for many years to come.

AWT can provide cost-effective structural repairs for a wide range of structural faults including rotting wooden beams. AWT can advise on structural repairs to properties with render, pebble dash and spar dash finishes. We operate not only in SE London but across the whole of London and the South East of England.

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