Bay window repair & reinforce Archives - Page 2 of 2

Failing Bay Window Masonry

This period property in Kent required structural repairs to the bay window masonry. Due to a combination of weathering, ageing and ineffective restraining the brickwork of the bay window was leaning outward. The bay window brickwork was cracked and bulging away from the windows.

Bay Window Masonry Defects

The front corner of this house in Thanet, Kent had been previously rebuilt by a traditional general builder. This had failed to get to the root cause of the structural problem.

There was visible bulging of the side wall, cracks in the rear wall and outward movement of the higher levels of the front bay. There was also significant cracking in the spandrel brickwork between the lines of windows.

The bay window brickwork columns to the top floor had become unrestrained, de-bonded (see diagram) and bulged outwards. This caused the brickwork arches and the parapet wall above the bay window to also lean outwards. As a result, there was a bow shaped space between the timber window frame and the brickwork columns.

Bay Window Masonry Repairs

AWT installed temporary supports and then deployed their AWT designed realigning equipment to restore the brickwork to an upright level. Specialist drilling rigs were used to introduce stainless steel reinforcement into the brickwork. This provided the necessary strength and restrained the brickwork to give a permanent solution to the problem.

AWT used their specialist equipment to close up the cracks in the brickwork and restore the dropped brick arches. The custom made stainless steel fittings are all concealed within the brickwork to preserve the appearance of the property.

AWT have a great deal of experience in restoring structural integrity to listed and period properties. To maintain the appearance of the property AWT matched the colour and texture of the existing mortar and repointed the disturbed areas.

AWT can provide cost effective structural repairs for a wide range of structural faults including bay window structural problems. We operate not only in Kent but across the whole of London and the South East of England.

Contact us using our contact form, call 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.

Bulging and Cracking Ornate Bay Window

This Victorian/Edwardian terraced home in Lewisham SE4 was suffering with structural defects that were causing cracks in the decorative work around the bay windows as well as bowing brickwork.

The Structural Problem

The beautiful decorative moulding around the bay windows of this terraced home in South East London was cracking. Even more worryingly, the brickwork of the bay window was visibly bulging and rotating away from the main part of the house. Inside the house there were cracks appearing in the internal party wall.

Action Wall Ties were called in to find a permanent solution to the structural issues while preserving the period features of the property.

The Structural Repair Solution

The AWT’s survey team diagnosed inadequate restraint of the bay window and a point loading issue with the party wall. Reinforcement of the masonry and a redistribution of the load on the party wall was required.

AWT have an arsenal of techniques at their disposal that are not available to traditional builders. This allows them to repair structural defects without rebuilding works.

Following a thorough survey, the following techniques were selected to restore the structural integrity:

Bed Joint Reinforcement Beaming
Crack Stitching
Grout Tie Injection
Lateral Restraints
Concrete and Brickwork Repairs

The specialist tools and equipment developed by AWT allows them to repair structural defects without compromising the look of a period property such as this.

A twin diamond bladed machine with attached vacuum was used for precision drilling prior to the installation of rows of twin 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcements. This helped to redistribute the weight of the upper storey to those parts of the supporting structure best able to carry them. It also assisted in restraining diagonal cracking and bulging.

8mm stainless steel lateral restraints screwed into the floor joists’ bresummer beam and resin bonded to the masonry provided further lateral restraint.

Localised cracks in the brickwork were stitched together using stainless steel fixings embedded out of sight within the brickwork.

Any patches of defective masonry were cut away and the areas were repaired using Flexcrete – a specialist repair substrate.

The finishing touches included colour matching any replacement bricks and ensuring the pointing style and mortar mixture matched the existing texture and colour.

AWT’s specialist skills allowed these serious structural faults to be repaired quickly and economically without damaging the character of the period features.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair. We provide professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems for home owners in Lewisham and the whole of London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. 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.