Solution: Brick arch repair & reinforce

Collapsing Ornate Bay & Balcony

Victorian Bay Window & Balcony: Structural Repairs & Restoration

victorian portico bay - Collapsing Ornate Bay & Balcony

This beautiful example of ornate Victorian architecture in Thanet was at risk of imminent collapse due to severe structural issues. The property had visible significant movement including bowing, cracking, dropping of brickwork arches and bowing columns of the front bay window and to the front elevation.

Several companies had surveyed the problems but none offered any solutions. Previous repairs to the property had tackled the symptoms of the structural defect but had failed to cure the root cause of the problem.

It took just 2 weeks of work for AWT to complete a cost-effective, long-term structural repair. Compared to rebuilding work, the disruption to the residents was minimal.

The Structural Problem

The structural issues with this period property in Thanet, Kent were clearly visible. Wide gaps had opened up between the masonry and the window frames. The structural defect had caused damage from the ground floor bay window columns up to the decorative brickwork panels below the eaves. This entire section of the property was in severe danger of collapse.

Bay Window Issues

 

AWT’s inspection of the front bay window found significant distorting movement to the front ground floor causing:

  •  outward movement
  • dropping and cracking of the brickwork arches and stone quoins
  • significant outward bowing of brickwork columns beyond the tipping point

 

First Floor Masonry Issues

Inspection of the front elevational brickwork found signs of distorting movement of the ground floor supporting bressummer beam (over the bay window) causing:

  • dropping of the supported main elevational brickwork
  • dropping brickwork pier stone quoins
  • dropping window arches above the bay window
  • inward sloping and cracking of the brickwork above the bay window

As part of previous attempts to halt the movement of the masonry, the bressummer beam over the bay window had been replaced by an old-style RSJ.

Bay & Portico Balcony Issues

The owners also wanted to deal with some aesthetic problems with the bay and portico balcony balustrade’s decorative wrought iron panels and stone top rails. All the panels required refurbishment. The bay window’s stone top rail had been replaced with an unattractive concrete capping. The portico stone top rails were mainly missing. New stones, in keeping with the period features, were needed to complete the restoration.

The Structural Solution

AWT recommended realigning and reinforcing remediation work to the existing brickwork including:

  • brickwork realignment
  • bed joint reinforcement
  • brickwork arch repair
  • diamond drilled grouted anchors
  • lateral restraints
  • grout tie injection
  • stonework & brickwork repairs
  • addition of fabricated steel spines to the columns
  • addition of an internal restraint post to the first floor

This multi-faceted approach reinstates uniformity and provides restraint to the masonry.

AWT also carefully removed the balcony balustrade panels for refurbishment. The lugs were replaced with stainless steel before the panels were grit blasted, powder-coated black and refitted. The brickwork corner piers were rebuilt. Finally, AWT had replacement capping stones cast in a limestone material with stainless steel reinforcing and bedded them in position.

Fast, Cost-effective, Minimal Disruption, Long Term Structural Repairs

Tackling such serious structural issues using traditional building techniques would have required reconstruction and rebuilding of the front of the property. Rebuilding would have been expensive, slow and highly disruptive to the homeowners. Damage to the original bricks and ornate stonework would be inevitable.

In just 2 weeks, AWT’s long-term repairs were completed without major rebuilding work or visible fixings to mar the internal or external period features.

Action Wall Ties are specialist structural repair contractors with the skills and experience required to repair and restore period properties.  AWT works on large and small projects for property owners, structural engineers, architects, project managers and local authorities.

AWT are available in Kent, London, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. To arrange a survey or to discuss project details, please use our contact form, email us or call us on 01227 721 255.

Period Property with Bulging Brickwork

Repairs to Victorian Period Property with Bowing Masonry

This tall brick-built Victorian-type townhouse in Southwark, South-East London, has 3 floors plus a basement.

The very large rear brick wall of the property was visibly bulging outwards and the brick arches above the windows were dropping and cracking. The property owners had contacted AWT before the problem had become too severe, so there was no significant cracking and failing of the main brickwork. The front bay window was also suffering from some cracking and distortion.

The Structural Problem

In common with many properties of this period, ageing and inadequate restraining of the brickwork had allowed the masonry to bulge outwards. Without structural repairs, the bulging of the masonry would continue and accelerate, allowing the brickwork arches to drop and fail and the main elevational brickwork to become unstable and collapse.

Rebuilding such a large area would be very costly and hugely disruptive to the residents. AWT was asked to provide a cost-effective, long-term structural repair.

The brick window arches were also dropping and cracking, another progressive structural defect that required a long-term solution.

The Structural Repair Solution

repair bulging house wall - Period Property with Bulging Brickwork
Before Repairs

As indicated with red lines and green stars, stainless steel corded joint reinforcement and grouted helical bars were installed within the masonry using precision diamond drilling techniques. This forms a deep masonry beam that adds tensile strength to the structure. It also redistributes the upper-storey loads and restrains any diagonal cracking and bulging tendencies.

As indicated with green lines, grouted helical stainless steel pins were used to realign and reinforce the brick arches.

As indicated with yellow stars, resin-bonded stainless steel lateral restraints were used to restrain the brickwork from bulging outwards.

The cracked window cill at the front of the property was repaired with an anti-carbonation cosmetic-grade mortar. Areas of damaged or disturbed mortar were made good with colour-matched mortar.

No Rebuilding, No Visible Fixings

AWT’s specialist structural repair techniques allowed masonry to be realigned and strengthened without rebuilding work or any visible fixings. This preserved the property’s period features and saved the homeowners time, money and inconvenience.

Action Wall Ties are specialists in structural repairs, including bulging and bowing masonry. AWT works on large and small projects with homeowners, architects, project managers, London borough councils and local authorities.

AWT are available in Kent, London, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. To arrange a survey or to discuss project details, please use our contact form, email us or call us on 01227 721 255.

Remedial Wall Ties for Victorian Semi in Surrey

Bulging & Cracking Brickwork Across Front of Victorian Semi Detached Houses

These 2 Victorian semi detached houses in Egham, Surrey had a significant bulge in the brickwork above the first floor windows. There was also a failing brick arch lintel and cracking to the brickwork. Without swift action the masonry would collapse.

AWT were called in to repair the defects and allow the homeowners to avoid slow, expensive and disruptive rebuilding work. Equipment designed by AWT was used to realign the brickwork, stabilise and reinforce the masonry and then install new wall ties and lateral restraints.

Surrey bowing masonry repairs - Remedial Wall Ties for Victorian Semi in Surrey

The Structural Problem

The AWT survey team visited the property in Surrey, TW20 to identify the root cause of the visible bulging of the masonry at the front of the property. The AWT survey team quickly identified that this Victorian semi was built using cavity wall construction and that failing cavity wall ties were likely a root cause of the problem.

A limited inspection of the wall ties was undertaken by drilling 12mm holes in the outer leaf of brickwork to view within the cavity via an endoscope. This confirmed the diagnosis of failing wall ties, as can be seen from the photos taken with the endoscope, as the corrosion of the metal was clearly visible. The mild steel ties were all in a similarly heavily corroded condition and showing signs of de-laminating.

Failing Victorian wall ties surrey - Remedial Wall Ties for Victorian Semi in Surrey

Horizontal cracking, lifting and opening up of joints was noted at irregular intervals on the front elevation. Metal ties were located behind the cracks, with an electronic wall tie locator.

Corrosion of the embedded mild steel wall ties was causing them to expand to many times their original size. This was damaging the outer leaf of brickwork, splitting the bed joints and causing either lifting or bowing of the walls and damage to internal finishes. This left the wall vulnerable to vertical and wind loads, especially such a large gable wall.

Without structural repairs the wall would continue to bow further and eventually collapse. Traditional building methods would have required the partial deconstruction and rebuilding of the front of the properties.

The Structural Repair Solution

Completed wall tie repairs Surrey - Remedial Wall Ties for Victorian Semi in Surrey

Unlike some cavity wall tie repair contractors, AWT always works to the standards laid out in the Building Research Establishment Specification Digest. This means that the separation between new wall ties, the layout pattern of the new wall ties and the material used to manufacture the new wall ties all meet the highest standards to ensure a safe, long term structural repair.

To avoid failure of the brickwork and brickwork arch AWT realigned the bulged brickwork, installed new stainless steel wall ties, isolated the old ties to prevent them causing further damage and formed a composite beam within the external brickwork. The formation of deep masonry beams within the existing masonry supports the masonry and maintains the integrity of the brickwork.

AWT use their own custom designed hydraulic realignment equipment and diamond bladed precision drilling rigs. This allows the new fixings to be installed with minimal disturbance to the masonry. A variety of specialist fixings were introduced into the brickwork to restore the strength and stability of the wall.

As can be seen in the photo above, when the work is complete there are no visible fixing either inside or outside the property. The AWT team also take the time to colour match any replacement bricks as well as matching the colour, texture and pointing style of the mortar where work has taken place.

AWT provide cost effective structural repairs for a wide range of structural faults including failing cavity wall ties and bulging brickwork. We operate not only in Surrey 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 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.

Hazardous Masonry on Grade 2 Listed Building

Listed Building with Bulging & Cracking Masonry

This Grade II listed building in Thanet, Kent, was built in the 1840’s. The owners of this period property were facing the prospect of demolition and rebuilding of the facade of the property due to serious structural defects. Previous repairs using standard building techniques had failed to solve the structural problems. The property is currently in use as a nursery school. The business would have been forced to close for several months during traditional building works. AWT were able to repair the severe structural problems in a couple of weeks and preserve the period features without disrupting the running of the business.

Thanet grade 2 listed - Hazardous Masonry on Grade 2 Listed Building

The Structural Problem

The structural issues with this Victorian, Grade 2 listed property in Ramsgate, Kent were becoming hazardous due to the risk of falling masonry. Traditional building methods would have required several months of expensive and messy deconstruction and rebuilding work. The business would have been forced to close during the building works and the subsequent re-plastering and redecoration.

The front of the building had clearly visible bulging and cracking to the head of all the first floor windows. There were also cracks in the brickwork and stucco works each side and to the underside soffit of the window opening heads. There were clear signs of previous attempts at repairs that had failed to get to the root cause of the problems.

grade 2 listed structural defect - Hazardous Masonry on Grade 2 Listed Building
Buckling Brickwork

As shown in the photo below, the mild steel embedded within the masonry had corroded and the rust caused it to expand to several times the thickness of the original metal. The heavily corroded wrought iron arch bars were lifting and cracking the brickwork and the decorative stucco around the windows. The stucco stringer course frieze and cornice of the parapet wall was also cracking and distorting. Previous attempts at repairs had provided a temporary, cosmetic repair but had failed to solve the underlying structural defects.

The continued expansive corrosion of the wrought iron arch bars would, without remedial works, lead to the failure of the masonry and the risk of detached masonry falling from the building. Urgent structural repairs were required.

The Structural Repair Solution

Structural repairs to listed buildings need to be handled carefully to preserve the period features of the building. AWT have many years of experience working on listed properties. AWT can help the owners of listed buildings to navigate through the process of obtaining permission for repair works.

The specialist tools and techniques that AWT employ allow structural repairs to be made without the need for visible fixings. Using custom designed drilling and cutting tools, AWT can remove corroded metal fixings and embed new stainless steel fixings within the masonry.

Scaffolding listed building repairs - Hazardous Masonry on Grade 2 Listed Building

In order to allow the business to remain open during the structural repair works, AWT arranged for the scaffolding to be erected at the weekend while the nursery was closed. The scaffolding was then double boarded and netted for safety. The AWT crew accessed the scaffolding from the side of the building allowing parents, children and staff to access the building as usual through the main entrance.

 

The AWT team used their specialist techniques to form composite beams within the existing brickwork and then remove and replace the corroded wrought iron arch bars. The team then reconnected and reinforced the brickwork above the windows and the parapet wall. They also repaired the cracked decorative stucco.

This project required a combination of:

  • Bed joint reinforcement beaming
  • Grout tie injection
  • Resin bonded ties
  • Cintec sock anchors
  • Removal of corroded mild steel arch bars
  • Replacement arch bars
  • Brickwork repairs

The team at AWT strive to make all works as sympathetic as possible with the existing masonry. Not only do they try to match replacement bricks and pointing for colour and style they even match the mortar mixture texture.

The high quality fixings used by AWT combined with their thorough knowledge of structural defects ensures a long term solution to structural issues.

Action Wall Ties are structural repair contractors with the specialist skills required for listed buildings. AWT work along with property owners, architects, project managers and local authorities to preserve historic buildings.

AWT are available for large and small projects in Kent, London, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. To arrange a survey or to discuss project details, please use our contact form, email us or call us on 01227 721 255.

Stone Arch & Bay Window Reinforcement

Reinforcement and Repair of Ornate Stone Arch & Bay

This end of terrace home in Walthamstow, East London had 2 structural issues. The stone entrance arch had significant cracking to the brickwork above and cracking in the internal walls. The ornate bay window was dropping and leaning outwards plus the stonework was cracking and spalling.

Walthamstow bay repairs - Stone Arch & Bay Window Reinforcement

The Structural Problem

The period decorative features on this home in London, E17, were showing their age due to structural issues causing cracked brickwork and stonework. The structural movement had exacerbated the deterioration of the paintwork leaving the beautiful, ornate stonework looking shabby.

There was significant cracking above the stone entrance arch in both the external brickwork and the internal walls.

E17 stone arch repair - Stone Arch & Bay Window Reinforcement

The bay window had visibly shifted and caused cracks in the external brickwork as well as in the interior walls. The supporting columns and cills had become distorted.

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

The AWT team also had to be prepared in case the masonry components weren’t solid masonry but simply a thin facade covering a timber frame.

 

The Structural Repair Solution

  • Installation of temporary supports & AWT designed cramping equipment
  • Realignment of masonry with hydraulic jacks
  • Precision diamond drilling & installation of stainless steel corded joint reinforcement.
  • Reconnecting the bay window brickwork to the main elevation by embedding grouted 8mm helical bars.
  • Installation of lateral restaints.
  • Repair damaged stonework with Flexcrete Monomix concrete repair mortar system.
  • Crack stitching work to cracked brickwork.
  • Cutting back damaged brick faces or resurfacing damaged bricks where possible using AWT methods.
  • Cutting out badly cracked bricks and replacing with colour matched yellow stock bricks.
  • Re-point disturbed areas with colour matched sand lime and cement mixture.

AWT provided an efficient, cost effective, permanent repair without the need for visible fixings. AWT have the tools and skills to remediate the root cause of these types of period property structural defects. AWT’s specialist fixings meant no rebuilding work was required and so disruption to the homeowner was kept to a minimum. The property was left ready for painting to restore it to its former glory.

E17 bay arch repairs - Stone Arch & Bay Window Reinforcement

Read our frequently asked questions about bay window structural repairs.

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

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.

Grove Green bay repairs - Repairing Gaps Around Bay Window Glazing and Distorted Gable Brickwork

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

East London Bay Window Repairs - Repairing Gaps Around Bay Window Glazing and Distorted Gable Brickwork

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.

Bowing brickwork on Victorian semi

Bowing brickwork on Victorian semi

Victorian mid-terrace house rear addition bowing and dropping brickwork – stabilisation, bed joint reinforcement beaming, crack stitching, fenestration lintel repair, grouted tie and lateral restraints

case study 56e199b5a11814.78242588 - Bowing brickwork on Victorian semi

The subject building was a traditionally built Victorian mid-terrace domestic residence, consisting of three floors below a pitched tiled roof.

Problem

Signs of distortion and distress, with localised cracking, were noted to the far external gable wall of the rear addition – along with cracked and dropped brick arches to the first and second floor level. Previous repairs of old tie bars with patress plates, large steel straps, rebuilding and re-pointing were noted, indicating a history of movement.

A significant outward bulge to the side elevation at first floor level with localised cracking was also noted, as was significant downward movement at the rear doorway with all brickwork leaning towards that point.

Causation

The movement noted was attributed to subsidence, which may well be historic as internal redecoration shows no sign of cracking. Under these circumstances we did not consider that underpinning was warranted at this stage. Our pragmatic solution was to reinforce and tie back the building by using a combination of bed joint reinforcement and lateral restraints into the first floor construction to reinstate structural integrity.

Solution

AWT’s remedial scheme was the introduction of bed joint reinforcement beaming, crack stitching, fenestration lintel repair, grout tie injection and lateral restraints – 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.

case 3 a - Bowing brickwork on Victorian semi

1. Reinforcement:
We introduced two rows of twin 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement to form a deep masonry beam – as indicated with red double dotted lines on our proposal images.

2. Grout tie injection:
We drilled into the party wall and bent into the hole one of the grouted 8mm stainless steel cords – as indicated with red stars on our proposal images.

3. Lintel repair:
To the underside of the fenestration openings head we drilled for and injected grouted 8mm helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch and passed into the line of the deep masonry beam installed within the existing masonry – as indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal images.

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

5. Lateral restraints:
In conjunction with the beam, we introduced 8mm stainless steel lateral restraints 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.

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.

 

Victorian Crack Stitching and Lintel Repair

Victorian Property: Crack Stitching & Lintel Repair

Extensive superstructure reconnection and reinforcement after underpinning for a Victorian house in North West London.

case study 56e199c6599876.58043227 - Victorian Crack Stitching and Lintel Repair

The subject building was a substantial Victorian traditionally built semi-detached domestic house in London, NW3.

The Structural Problem

Click on the gallery images below to see the full extent of the damage caused by the structural issues. Evidence of previous, unsuccessful attempts to fix the structural issues by traditional building techniques can also be seen.

Signs of distortion and distress were noted, with localised cracked and dropped brick arches to the first and second floor levels of the square bay.

Significant cracking was noted to the external brickwork running from and to the ground, first and second floor window openings. The brick arch was missing from the first floor window and distortion, cracking and dropping were noted to the ground and second floor arches. The first and second floor window openings had temporary supports.

Causation

The movement noted was attributed to subsidence. Downward movement had allowed the brick arch to spread and drop and the brickwork to crack. The downward movement had been addressed by a recently completed underpinning scheme. Some de-bonding of the brickwork was also noted.

debonded brickwork bulges 1.3 - Victorian Crack Stitching and Lintel Repair

The Structural Repair Solution

case 4 c - Victorian Crack Stitching and Lintel Repair

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

2. Lintel repair:
To the underside of the fenestration openings head we drilled for, and injected, grouted 8mm helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch, passing into the line of the deep masonry beam installed within the existing masonry – as indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal images.

3. Bay window repair:
To form a beam and reconnect the bay window elevational brickwork, we diamond-drilled a 20mm hole through each elevation, chased into the main elevation and injected grouted 8mm helical bars – as indicated with green horizontal parallel lines on our proposal images.

4. Crack stitching:
To stitch localised cracks we introduced single 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement – as indicated with red single dotted lines on our proposal images.

5. Wall ties to de-bonding brickwork:
To brickwork within the beamed area and arches, where brickwork was believed to be de-bonding, we drilled for and resin bonded 6mm stainless steel remedial ties and re-pointed disturbed areas with a sand and cement mixture.

case 4 d - Victorian Crack Stitching and Lintel Repair

Signs of distortion and distress, with localised cracking, were noted to the external brickwork to the front entrance archway bridge, along with cracked voussoirs and the dropping of the brick arch and outward movement.

6. Resin bonded ties:
To stabilise the brickwork archway bridge, we introduced truss ties. To form the truss we drilled a 14mm hole at 45 degrees to the required depth, opened the entrance hole to 18mm, resin bonded 10mm stainless steel threaded rods, drilled a horizontal 14mm hole to the required depth, inserted the 10mm stainless steel threaded rods, fixed nuts and washers, resin bonded to the inner wall, tightened nuts to both sides and resin bonded to the outer brickwork.

case 4 e - Victorian Crack Stitching and Lintel Repair

7. Making good and pointing:
We 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 photos below show the property 14 years after the work was completed. The high quality structural repairs carried out by AWT are designed to last. Unlike traditional building repairs, our techniques get to the root cause of structural defects.

Victorian bay window repairs c4 - Victorian Crack Stitching and Lintel Repair

 

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

Bungalows with failing lintels and localised subsidence

Kent Bungalows with failing lintels and localised subsidence

Bungalows with failing lintels and localised subsidence – bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repair and crack stitching

case study 56e19a59582bd6.78581213 - Bungalows with failing lintels and localised subsidence

This small development comprised detached purpose-designed bungalows and maisonettes for the elderly. Each block was of a similar design, facing a common central garden. To the front elevation of each block there was a central gabled section accommodating a first floor with a single-storey wing on both sides.

Structural Problems

Signs of distortion and distress with cracked and dropped brick arches, both cracking to the brickwork to the ground and first floor windows and cracking to the brickwork below the ground floor windows were noted.

Discussion

We believed that the movement noted was progressive, due to inadequate lintels. The cracking noted below the ground floor window could be attributed to some localised subsidence. The buildings were to undergo a window replacement programme and it was requested that our proposal included the restraining of the single brick arch above each window.

case 15 a - Bungalows with failing lintels and localised subsidence

Structural Repair Solution

AWT completed a remedial scheme providing a viable repair by introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repair and crack stitching.

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 images.

Fenestration lintel repair: To the underside of the fenestration openings head we drilled for, and injected grouted, 8mm helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch, passing into the line of the deep masonry beam installed within the existing masonry – as indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal images.

Made good the pointing: To the cracking schedule for reinforcement, 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.

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

1930s Purpose Built Library

1930s Public Library

A 1930s purpose built library in Welling, near Dartford, Kent. Corroding support angles to the flat brick soldier course lintel required bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repair, grout tie injection and resin bonded ties and removal of the corroding angles.

case study 56e19a7884e823.25433311 - 1930s Purpose Built Library

The subject building was a substantial purpose built library constructed in the mid-1930s of brick on a concrete foundation.

Structural Problems and Issues

Visible cracking and lifting movement noted to the window openings to the top floor front and two side elevations. A total of 20 windows.

The external brickwork soldier course formed a flat arch above the window openings. The flat arches were built on a 50mm × 50mm mild steel angle that was found to be heavily corroding and delaminating.

case 18 a - 1930s Purpose Built Library

Severe corrosion of the embedded mild steel support angles and its resulting expansion had caused severe distress to the adjacent brickwork.

The internal brickwork was being supported by an independent concrete lintel.

Structural Repair Solution

AWT completed a remedial scheme, introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repair, grout tie injection and resin bonded ties.

case 18 b - 1930s Purpose Built Library

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

case 18 c - 1930s Purpose Built Library

2. Fenestration lintel repair:
To the underside of the fenestration openings head, we drilled for, and injected, grouted 8mm helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch, passing into the line of the composite deep masonry beam installed within the existing masonry – as indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal images.

3. Resin bonded ties:
Within the area of the beaming we drilled for (wherever possible to the centre of a brick), and resin bonded, new 6mm stainless steel remedial ties (four per square metre) above window openings, then re-pointed disturbed areas only with coloured sand and cement mortar.

After the proposed reinforcing works had been completed the windows were removed (by others) to enable the removal of the mild steel angles and making good of the brickwork.

High Quality Structural Repairs

The gallery below shows the completed structural repairs after 15 years. The repairs are as good as new.

Traditional building methods are only able to provide short term, cosmetic repairs. Our skilled structural repair specialists can identify the underlying causes of structural defects and provide long lasting repair solutions.

Councils, housing associations and other public sector organisations across the South East have turned to AWT for cost effective, long term solutions to a wide range of structural issues.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair across Kent and London, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems and issues from cracks to wall movement and window sill defects. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

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