Bowing bulging brick walls including Gable & Flank walls Archives - Page 2 of 3

Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

Collapsing Bay & Gable

This period property in Hampstead, North West London had significant structural defects due to a failing Bressumer beam over the bay window area. The entire bay window area and the decorative gable wall above was leaning away from the main structure. Without professional structural repairs, this would result in the ultimate failure and collapse of the structure.

The Structural Problem

This front elevation of this home in London, NW3 was at risk of collapse. The first floor timber Bressumer beam over the bay window was failing, causing the downward movement of the central column of brickwork. This resulted in significant distortion to the window cills, lintels and first floor causing them to lean down to the centre of the building.

This type of horizontal wooden beam is known by a number of different names including:

Timber lintel
Bressumer or Bressummer
Breastsummer
Summer Beam
Various other spellings including Sommer, Somer, Sommier and Somier

This type of substantial wooden beam is often found in period properties over bay windows supporting the building above and above shop windows.

Victorian timber Bressumer beams over bay windows are generally over stressed compared to modern day standards. They are often affected by Creep with significant deflection together with further deterioration of the timber due to rot, damp, pest infestations etc. This can render the beam ineffective, deflecting the brickwork above, as well as the floor and the ceiling, requiring remediation. Another common cause of Bressumer beam problems is movement within the building’s structure which leaves the beam lacking adequate support.

Many of the common symptoms of a failing timber bay window beam were clearly visible including:

Significant deflection of the beam
Cracking, bulging brickwork above
Masonry leaning away from the main elevation
Cracking internal plaster
Bulging ceilings
Sloping floors
Bowing of the main roof
Distorted window cills
Distorted window lintels

The entire bay window and the decorative gable brickwork was at risk of collapse. Traditional building methods would have required substantial and costly rebuilding work. Without AWT this would have required a major building project to de-construct the front elevation down to the Bressumer beam, replace the beam and thereafter rebuild the front first floor brickwork complete with window cill, lintels, refitting the windows and replacing internal plastering and finishings.

AWT was called in to stabilise the structure and preserve the period features. AWT’s specialist tools and structural repair skills enabled them to restore structural integrity without the need for rebuilding work, saving time, money and disruption.

NW3 bressummer repaired 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

NW3 bressumer 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

NW3 bresummer 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

The Structural Repair Solution

AWT used specialist equipment to realign the masonry, replace the wooden Bressumer lintel with a steel beam and install restraints. A lateral gable beam was also installed, the bulging gable wall was realigned and the structural integrity was restored.

Traditional building methods often provide a superficial, temporary solution. AWT’s structural repairs get to the root cause of the structural failings.

The structural repair works included:

Installation of temporary supports
Removal of failing Bressumer beam
Installation of new steel Bressumer lintel
Installation of lateral gable beam
Realignment of masonry by 70mm using hydraulic equipment
Bed Joint Reinforcement
Lateral restraints
Re-pointing disturbed areas with colour matched mortar

The remedial works restored the leaning masonry to its vertical alignment and restrained it from leaning outwards. The new steel Bressumer beam, lateral gable beam and the Bed Joint Reinforcement within the masonry restored the strength of the structure.

AWT provided a permanent solution to the structural defects without the need for expensive rebuilding work or visible fixings.

NW3 new bressumer 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

NW3 new bressummer 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

Hampstead bressummer repaired 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

NW3 bressummer support 1 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

Hampstead bressummer repairs 1 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

Hampstead bressumer repairs 1 300x225 - Failing Timber Bressumer Lintel

Satisfied Customers

The first photo below shows the re-plastered ceiling ready to be repainted and the second shows it after redecoration was completed. The beautiful period features of the house can be enjoyed in their former glory.

The home owners were delighted with how hassle free the process was and at the finished results.

Some of their comments were:

“You managed to diagnose pretty much what was wrong over the phone without having seen a photo i.e. Bressumer beam failure. We felt we were dealing with a professional company with a real idea of what we would need.”

“Your surveyor, Scott, was again reassuring. He gave the impression that whilst our house was of concern it was nothing compared to some properties you’ve repaired and it wouldn’t be beyond you.”

“Once we agreed to go ahead you were again very supportive and we felt comfortable and confident that we were in good hands.
The building team you that sent us were very reassuring and immediately had our confidence. The entire team were polite and professional and inspired confidence.”

“My elderly neighbour 2 doors away asked me when the works were starting and I was happy to tell her they were already finished….”

“We have a family friend that was very concerned with us walking blindly into a massive building program with no clue as to what we were doing and that it could all go horribly wrong. I’ve been very pleased to let him know everything went better than expected and AWT completed the works quicker than we hoped. It’s all been a very positive experience.”

AWT provide cost effective structural repairs for a wide range of structural faults including failing wooden beams and lintels. We operate not only in NW London but across the whole of London and the South East of England.

Read our frequently asked questions about bay window structural repairs.

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.

Repairing Gaps Around Bay Window Glazing and Distorted Gable Brickwork

Repairing Distorted Gable Brickwork & Large Gaps Around Bay Window Glazing.

The masonry of the bay window of this property in London E11 was leaning away from the main structure. Large gaps were opening up between the bay window frames and the double glazing units. Realignment of the sagging bay window plus reinforcing failing gable brickwork to restore structural integrity were required.

The skills of the AWT team allowed them to restore the structural integrity in a cost effective and efficient manner without any rebuilding or visible fixings.

The Structural Problem

This East London home had visible cracking in front bay window brickwork and stone lintels. Outward rotation of the first floor bay window was clearly visible. Large gaps had opened up between the bay window frame and the glazing. The cracking and distorting of the masonry bay had caused significant movement to the brickwork gable above.

Problems of this type are common in such Victorian / Edwardian properties and are usually the result of ageing and inadequate restraining in the original building methods.

The AWT also had to be prepared for the possibility that the masonry components might not be solid masonry but simply a thin facade covering a timber frame.

The Structural Repair Solution

After the initial inspection, the AWT team conducted an intrusive survey by drilling carefully placed inspection holes and using an endoscope where necessary. This allowed them to determine that this property’s bay window was constructed using solid masonry elements.

The first element of the structural repairs required the installation temporary supports to the underside of the first floor bay window lintels. AWT designed realigning cramping equipment and hydraulic powered jacks were used to realign the columns and brickwork ready for reinforcing.

Specialist drills were used to introduce rows of 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement fixings. This redistributed the upper storey load to the supporting structure below and restrained the diagonal cracking and bulging tendencies.

Precision drilling rigs were used to install helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch. Resin bonded stainless steel pins were used to reconnect the brickwork to the main body of the building.

Internal gable restraints were fixed in place. Stainless steel lateral restraints were installed directly into the timber joists and resin bonded to the masonry. This restored the structural integrity of distorted gable brickwork.

Any disturbed mortar was re-pointed with mortar matched for colour and texture to blend with the existing pointing.

Read our frequently asked questions about bay window structural repairs.

For a fast, effective solution to bay window structural problems contact AWT today. We provide professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems for home owners across London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

Concrete boot lintels to window openings were in common use in the 1970s and have the unique appearance of a visible one course high concrete toe that appears not to have any bearing onto the adjacent brickwork (i.e. the visible concrete toe is in between the brickwork reveals).

Many low rise blocks from the 60s and 70s develop defects that require concrete boot lintel repairs due to cracks, gaps and sagging brickwork above the windows. Failure to address these issues promptly can lead to dangerous, collapsing masonry as well as extensive damage to internal walls.

AWT are able to provide long term, cost-effective boot lintel repairs with minimal disruption to residents.

Concrete Boot Lintel Problems

Boot lintel gaps cracks rotation - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

Boot Lintel stepped cracks - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

Boot Lintel gaps - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

Boot Lintel compression - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

Rotating Boot Lintel Causing Gaps & Cracks

Stepped Cracks Due To Failing Boot Lintel

Gaps Above Concrete Boot Lintel

Boot Lintel Defect Causing Compression Cracks

As shown in the gallery, in the 60s and 70s, many concrete boot lintels were incorrectly fitted onto unsuitable bearing allowing the lintel to rotate and the supported brickwork to drop and crack.

This fundamental flaw in the installation of concrete boot lintels means that the weight of the heavier brick outer skin is too great for the relatively soft and lightweight inner blocks to support. The lintel rotates, causing gaps to open up, compressing the blocks of the inner wall and causing the outer brickwork to sag.

Common symptoms of boot lintel problems:

Cracks in the visible part of the concrete lintel
Stepped cracks in the brickwork above windows/doors
Dropping of the brickwork above windows/doors
Bulging or bowing brickwork above windows/doors
Cracks in the internal walls and ceilings above windows/doors
Warped window/door frames making them difficult to open and close

Chris Nichols explains, “This type of lintel has no bearing onto the external brickwork the concrete lintel rarely fails. (As with any concrete the toe of a boot lintel can be affected by corroding reinforcing bars and require concrete repairs.) The boot lintel is reliant on the bearing onto the internal skin. The internal skin bearing the lintel should be of a material capable of withstanding and spreading the load (e.g. pad stone concrete blocks or engineering bricks). “

“In many cases the lintel was bedded directly onto lightweight blocks that are unable to take the imposed load and compress the outer edge of the bearing, rotating the lintel and allowing the external brickwork above to crack and drop as described in BRE Good Building Guide 1.”

case 55 a - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

case 55 d - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

case 55 b - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

case 55 c - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

case 55 e - Fixing Cracking Above Concrete Boot Lintels

Cracking Concrete Boot Lintels

Gaps & Cracks Above Concrete Boot Lintel

Gaps & Cracks Around Concrete Window Lintels

Rotated Boot Lintel Causing Gaps

Boot Lintel Problems Due To Incorrect Installation

Concrete Boot Lintel Repairs

Action Wall Ties provide a cost-effective, long term solution that retains the existing appearance of the brickwork with the minimum disruption to the occupants and the environment.

Action Wall Ties have developed a remedial system and methods, including specifically designed equipment, to remedy the problem of cracked concrete boot lintels. Action Wall Ties slightly anti-rotate the lintels back in place, drilling for and then resin bonding 16mm stainless steel shear pins to both end bearings. Once the resin bonded fixings are set the props are released, pre-loading the shear pins, thus reducing any further cracking.

To larger openings and with advanced movement it may be necessary to introduce two rows of twin cord reinforcement, forming a composite deep masonry beam. To the underside of the concrete toe, we drill for and inject grouted 8mm helical stainless steel pins passing into the line of the deep masonry beam to arrest any further rotation of the concrete lintel.

Action Wall Ties concrete boot lintel repair and replacement solutions are available to clients in London and the South East.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, lintel repairs, replacing a damaged lintels, and providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. We work with home owners, London boroughs, social housing providers, architects, project managers, local authorities and insurance companies.

Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

Bowed Flank Wall on Victorian Semi

Victorian semi-detached house with very large bowed flank wall. AWT used bed joint reinforcement, lateral restraints and resin bonded ties to realign and stabilise the bowing brickwork. As with many properties that AWT is called in to repair, the property showed signs of previous repairs that had failed to address the underlying structural issues.

The Structural Problem: Bowing Flank Wall

This substantial Victorian traditionally built semi-detached house is a domestic residence spread over three floors. As shown in the photo, the flank wall had a significant visible bulge in the centre of the wall at first-floor level. No significant cracking was noted. The third floor (top level) appeared to have been rebuilt.

The AWT survey team judged the movement of the masonry to be progressive and in need of stabilisation to avoid the entire wall collapsing. The previous rebuilding of the third floor brickwork failed to tackle the weakness in the structure that was allowing the brickwork to bow outwards.

What Causes Bowed Brickwork?

As is common with Victorian properties, the bowing masonry was due to some downward movement compounded by ineffective or inadequate restraining. Under the weight of the masonry above, and without strong enough fixings to tie it to the main body of the property, the brickwork bulges outwards.

The bulge may have been formed by some de-bonding of the brickwork (or cracking of the headers). It was common practice in buildings of this age for a 9-inch wall to be constructed as two half-brick walls with snapped headers to the external skin to save on expensive facing bricks. This results in a less structurally stable wall, compared to fully bonded brickwork, because the inner and outer skins of the wall are only connected by mortar.

The Structural Repair Solution

AWT’s remedial scheme involved the introduction of bed joint reinforcement, lateral restraints and resin bonded ties (see coloured remedial works on our proposal picture.) This added tensile strength and reinstated the brickwork’s integrity and the uniformity of the wall. After installation, the pointing was raked out, reinstated and tinted to match the existing.

1. Bed Joint Reinforcement:
The AWT team installed two rows of twin cord reinforcement, forming a deep masonry beam – indicated by red double dotted lines in the image.

2. Lateral Restraints:
In conjunction with the beam, 8mm stainless steel lateral restraints were introduced and screwed directly into timber floor joists’ end grain or into the side grain and resin bonded to the masonry – indicated with yellow stars in the image.

3. Wall Ties to De-bonding Brickwork:
Using specialist precision drilling rigs, the AWT team drilled for and installed new resin bonded, 6mm stainless steel remedial ties – indicated with blue lines in the image. Disturbed areas were re-pointed with colour matched sand and cement mixture.

Cost Effective Structural Repairs

Rebuilding work would have been, slow, messy and expensive. The affected rooms would also have been uninhabitable during the rebuilding work.

AWT was able to provide a long lasting structural repair that got to the root cause of the bulging brickwork. The bowing masonry was strengthened and brought back into vertical alignment. No visible fixings or rebuilding work was required. The vast majority of the work was carried out from the exterior of the property thus minimising the disturbance to the residents and to interior finishes.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) based in Canterbury, Kent, 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.

Bed Joint Reinforcement Beaming

Victorian property in Hampstead, NW3. Three-storey bay windows with pulling away outward movement, dropping brickwork (all with previous failing repairs) and bowing side flank wall. Repaired using bed joint reinforcement beaming, lateral restraints, crack stitching, and resin bonded ties.

The subject building was a substantial Victorian end-of-terrace domestic residence in North West London.

Structural Problems

Outward movement to the gable wall, patress plates and tie bars were noted, which indicated that a previous attempt to restrain the outward movement had been made. No significant cracking was noted. Also, a steel band to the front bay window on the first and second floors was found to be heavily corroded and delaminating.

Causation

The movement noted is progressive, attributable to historic subsidence (downward movement) compounded by outward movement due to ineffective or inadequate restraining to the main elevational walls and the bay window, allowing the brick arch to spread and drop and the brickwork above to crack.

Structural Solutions

AWT’s remedial scheme was to introduce bed joint reinforcement beaming, lateral restraints, crack stitching and resin bonded ties – adding tensile strength and restraint and thus reinstating the brickwork’s integrity and the uniformity of the wall.

After installation, pointing was raked out, reinstated and tinted to match the existing (see coloured remedial works on our proposal picture).

1. Bed joint reinforcement:
The introduction of two rows of twin cord reinforcement, forming a deep masonry beam – as indicated with red double dotted lines on our proposal images.

2. Lateral restraints:
In conjunction with the beam, 8mm stainless steel lateral restraints were introduced and screwed directly into the timber floor joists’ end grain or into the side grain, all resin bonded to the masonry – as indicated with yellow stars on our proposal images.

3. Crack stitching:
To stitch localised cracks, single 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcements were introduced – as indicated with red single dotted lines on our proposal images.

4. Wall ties to de-bonding brickwork:
Wherever possible, we drilled for and resin bonded 6mm stainless steel remedial ties to the centre of a brick. We then re-pointed the disturbed areas with a coloured sand and cement mixture – as indicated with blue line on our proposal plan images.

5. Making good and pointing:
We then raked out the existing mortar and repaired with new coloured sand and cement mortar to approximately 20mm in depth.

AWT operatives are highly skilled in traditional building methods and always attempt to match replacement bricks, pointing styles and mortar colour to be sympathetic with the existing building.

High Quality Structural Repairs

The photo below shows the completed structural repairs 14 years after the project was completed. Unlike the previous repairs by traditional builders, AWT’s structural repair techniques got to the root of the problem.

AWT provide long lasting, cost effective structural repairs so you can enjoy your home.

Read our frequently asked questions about bay window structural repairs.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) based in Kent are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair covering London, Kent and the whole South East area. AWT provide professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

Bowing gable wall 1950s style two-storey semi

1950s Semi with Bowing Gable Wall

Bowing gable wall to a 1950s style semi-detached house in Sittingbourne, Kent. Remedial wall ties, isolating the existing ties, bed joint reinforcement beaming, crack stitching and lateral restraints.

The subject property in Swale, Kent, comprised a 1950s style two-storey semi-detached house of cavity brickwork construction.

Problem – Gable wall bowing & cracking

The gable wall: The right side gable wall had a visible outward bulge at the centre of the wall at first floor level and significant cracking was noted (no corresponding internal cracking was present). The front elevation external skin was rebuilt after suffering damage in a hurricane. No downward movement at DPC level was noted.

An AWT investigation with a metal detector and an endoscope revealed that the wall ties viewed to the right side gable wall and rear elevations were mild steel vertical twist ties, all in a similar heavily corroded condition and showing signs of de-laminating.

Horizontal cracking, lifting and opening up of joints were noted at irregular intervals on the right side and rear elevations, with corroding ties clearly visible.

Discussion

Right side elevations: We believed that the movement was progressive, due to ineffective and/or inadequate restraining, and not attributable to significant subsidence.

Wall ties: Our opinion, in accordance with the Building Research Establishment’s recommendations, was that the symptoms noted above were likely to be representative of the majority of the cavity wall ties to the right side, and the main rear elevation suffering from corrosion.

It was believed that the building’s right side and main rear elevation would benefit from remedial wall ties and the isolation of the existing ties.

Structural Repair Solution

AWT completed a remedial scheme providing a viable repair by introducing remedial wall ties, isolating the existing ties, then employing bed joint reinforcement beaming, crack stitching and lateral restraints.

Remedial wall ties and isolation of existing ties: Our operatives undertook remedial wall tie treatment to the right side and main rear elevations in accordance with AWT’s wall tie treatment – Generic Repair.

Bed joint reinforcement beaming: The introduction of two rows of twin 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement forming a deep masonry beam – as indicated with red double dotted lines on our proposal plan.

Crack stitching: We stitched localised cracks with the introduction of single 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement – as indicated by red single dotted lines on our proposal.

Lateral restraints: At approximately 900mm centres we drilled for, and screwed directly into alternate timber floor joist’s end grain or into the side grain, 8mm stainless steel lateral restraints into the timber floor and ceiling joists, all resin bonded to the masonry along with corresponding wall ties – as indicated with green stars on our proposal plan.

Make good the pointing: To the cracking schedule for reinforcement listed above, and to areas of weakness to pointing to the right side elevation, we raked out the existing cracked mortar and repaired with new coloured sand and cement mortar to approximately 20mm in depth. AWT operatives are highly skilled in traditional building methods and always attempt to match replacement bricks, pointing styles and mortar colour to be sympathetic with the existing building.

Homeowners, landlords, housing associations and councils across Kent, London, Surrey and Sussex can call on AWT’s experts to repair rusting wall ties and other structural problems. Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in gable wall repairs, masonry reinforcement and repair. We provide professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

Terracotta Facade Bowing Out

East Ham Town Hall in East London. Main terracotta facade bowing out – precise drilling deep into the building and installation of Cintec anchors

East Ham Town Hall, in the E6 area of London, is an important landmark building, and its hundred year old brick and ornate terracotta construction requires specialised care when remedial works are called for.

LB Newham engaged Action Wall Ties to undertake reinforcing works to stabilise the important facade of the town hall. External cracking was spreading across the entablature frieze cornice above the left side entrance.

Problem – cracking and debonding brickwork

1. The main entrance – Above the staircase and to the left side of the entrance cracking was noted between the internal junction of the external brickwork, the dividing wall and the corner of the ceiling above.

2. The floor slab and ceiling – Cracking was noted on the 150mm floor slab that was found to be of a clinker rich material.

3. Brickwork – There were no signs of significant cracking to brickwork, although the movement noted was considered likely to be progressive. It was apparent that the outer brickwork was bowing outward, de-bonding from the dividing walls, and had become unconnected, cracking the dividing walls and floor slab – all reducing the restraining to the facade.

Proposed Cintec Anchor solution

Action Wall Ties completed a remedial scheme providing a viable repair by the introduction of Cintec anchors.

1. AWT entered the terracotta by diamond drilling with a narrow wall diamond core drill and retained the core to be replaced.

2. AWT then diamond drilled a 38mm × 4 metre hole through the external wall into the floor slab and the dividing wall as indicated with red crosses on the accompanying image.

3. AWT supplied and installed Cintec 40mm sock anchors with 18mm stainless steel bar, in accordance with the manufacture’s recommendations by certificated operatives.

4. The entrance hole in the terracotta was made good by the replacement of extracted core together with replacement bricks and coloured sand and cement pointing, all in accordance with AWT specifications.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, including specialised mediums such as Terracotta, providing professional structural repair solutions with Cintec anchors to a wide variety of structural problems in London, Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Please contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us to discuss your structural repair issues.

Grade I listed country house with detached bay window

Madingley Hall, a 15th Century Oriel large bay window became detached – complicated diamond drilling pattern and installing Cintec sock anchors

Madingley Hall is an elegant Grade I listed country house built by Sir John Hynde in 1543 and set in its own expansive gardens.

The hall is now owned by Cambridge University, and Action Wall Ties were engaged to undertake reinforcement works to stabilise the front bay of the building.

Over the years the Oriel bay had become detached from the main building. The internal walls of the bay were finished with oak panelling along with ornate plaster works, all of which were protected by listing in their own right.

Repairing The Detached Bay Window

A complicated cross stitch anchor was proposed to stabilise the bay and preserve the integrity of this historic building.

Cintec Sock anchors

Action Wall Ties’ operatives diamond drilled 30mm diameter holes approximately 3.8 metres in depth and a second hole, angled off approximately 1 metre, into the masonry to meet and form cross ties to each side of the bay window at five levels.

They then prepared for, supplied and inflated the Cintec sock anchors in accordance with the specifications and manufacture’s recommendations.

This work was completed by AWT Cintec certified operatives.

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

Stabilising stone and flint dormer window

Stabilizing stone and flint dormer window at King’s School, Canterbury – diamond drilling for, and installing, grouted ties

King’s School is possibly the oldest school in England, believed to have been established over 400 years ago. AWT were engaged to undertake remedial works to stabilise a stone and flint fronted gable dormer window of this substantial, historic school building. We used lateral restraints and grout ties to remedy the problem and offer an effective repair solution.

Problem – movement and rotation of gable masonry

• The dormer gable masonry was of stone window mullions and copping stones with a flint infill backed with brickwork.

• The dormer gable masonry had suffered from significant outward movement, leaving a gap between the flashings and the dormer roof.

• The masonry appeared to be rotating outwards on the joints to the stone window mullions.

• No fixings to the masonry and the roof structure were noted.

Discussion

From our findings it was apparent that the building had suffered from movement over a period of time. It was deemed that this movement was progressive, due to current ineffective and/or inadequate restraining.

The Repair Solution – Lateral Restraints

AWT completed a remedial scheme providing a viable repair, through the introduction of lateral restraints and grout ties to reconnect the substance of the wall and restrain the same.

• Grout ties: To connect the substance of the masonry stone and flint of the gable wall, AWT installed remedial grout ties by drilling for, and injecting, grouted 8mm helical bar – as indicated with green stars and parallel lines on our proposal plan images.

• Lateral restraints: In conjunction with the grout ties we installed stainless steel ties, screwed into the side grain of the timbers behind and resin bonded to the masonry – as indicated with yellow stars on our proposal plan images.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair including historic flint and stone walls, in Kent, Surrey, London and Sussex.

Our Lateral restraint solutions are permenant and effective, creating a better than new outcome.

We are successfully providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

The Smithery, Historic Dockyard Chatham

Historic dockyard Chatham The Smithery – long 3500mm diamond drill for and installing grout ties and Cintec ties

The Smithery at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II* listed building.

The Smithery, built in 1808 and the last building within the walls of The Historic Dockyard Chatham on the English Heritage ‘at risk’ register has been saved.

This important historic building fell out of use in 1974 and is in a very poor condition, funding has enabled emergency stabilisation works to commence.

Action Wall Ties diamond drilled a pattern of 50mm diameter holes horizontally, 3500mm in depth through mass brickwork, prepared for the supply of Cintec sock anchors M16 x 3500mm anchors and inflated in accordance with the specification and manufacturers recommendations by certified operatives.

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.