Edwardian round bay window cracking & dropping brickwork arches – bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repairs and to install resin bonded ties
The subject building is a substantial, traditionally-built, Edwardian building on two floors below a pitched tiled roof.
This period property required sympathetic treatment by Action Wall Ties’ specialised staff. Cracking and dropping brickwork was stabilised with stainless steel bed joint reinforcement and wall ties. The round structures and brick arches were reinforced and the surrounding structure made good, in keeping with the appearance of the property.
Detailed Case Study
Structural defects
Action Wall Ties investigated and reported varying stages of distortion, cracking and dropping of brick arches, along with some cracking to the brickwork above, together with many previous attempts of repairs to the round bay windows.
Causation
Action Wall Ties reported that the movement noted was believed to be progressive due to a combination of ageing, seasonal moisture, thermal expansion and contraction (i.e. hygrothermal) resulting in ineffective support from the existing arches allowing the brick arch to spread and drop, allowing the brickwork above to crack.
Solution for the structural repairs
A long term, cost-effective solution was provided by Action Wall Ties’ highly skilled operatives. The existing appearance of this period property was carefully maintained. The works were designed to minimise disruption to the building’s occupants and minimise any impact on the environment.
Our remedial scheme involved introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repairs and to install resin bonded ties to reinstate the uniformity of the wall and provide restraint.
As indicated with red double dotted lines on our proposal 1 and 2, we introduced two rows of twin stainless steel corded joint reinforcement, forming a deep masonry composite beam all around the bay.
As indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal 1 and 2, to the underside of the fenestration openings head we drilled for, and installed, either grouted or driven 9mm helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch and passed them into the line of the deep masonry beam installed within the existing masonry.
As indicated with red stars on our proposal 1, we drilled for, and resin bonded, new 9mm stainless steel remedial ties and re-pointed disturbed areas.
Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair in London and Kent, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems and defects. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Victorian bay window with spreading and cracking masonry
A much loved family home in South East London featuring an ornate brick and masonry Victorian bay window with spreading and cracking masonry. Diamond drilling through the brick arches and injection of grouted cords and bed joint reinforcing restored the property to its former glory.
This building was a traditional two-storey mid-terrace domestic residence in Blackheath, SE London, of Victorian vintage with a pitched tiled roof.
Problem – Bay Window Cracking/Dropped Arches
The front bay windows showed visible distortion and distress, accompanied by significant cracking to both main brickwork and brick entrance arches, which had also dropped.
Causation
It was clearly evident that the bay window had rotated away from the main building line, owing to subsidence.
The bay window’s foundations were shallow, compared with those of the main building.
This situation had been exacerbated by the close proximity of a tall tree that was further desiccating the clay subsoil, though the subsidence was not deemed severe enough at the time to warrant underpinning.
Bay Window Repair Solution
The bay window was tied back to the main elevation using stainless steel bed joint reinforcement and one core installed into diamond drill holes, indicated with green lines. This served also to beam up the brickwork and repair the cracking. In addition, the bay was tied back to the two floors behind to provide proper lateral restraint.
The arch was pinned up, using stainless steel pins, and resined into the brickwork above. After installation, pointing was raked out, reinstated and tinted to match the existing (see coloured remedial works on our proposal picture).
Arboricultural works were undertaken on the tree (by others), to reduce the crown and accordingly lower its water demand from the underlying clay.
Long Lasting Structural Repairs
The gallery below shows AWT’s completed structural repairs after 15 years. This is why homeowners across the SE of England can trust AWT with their period properties. Our structural repair techniques provide long lasting, cost effective repairs that maintain the beauty of period properties.
Before
Before
After
After
Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. We have many years experience working on period properties, listed buildings and heritage structures.
For expert structural repairs in London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex please contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.
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.
Stabilising Victorian gable wall stone corbels, pediment and copings – diamond drilling for, and installing, grouted and Cintec ties
The subject building is a substantial Victorian traditionally-built house featuring a gable embellished with substantial supporting stone corbels, coping stones and pediment in North London.
This property required work to remedy the rotation of the supporting stone corbels and dislodged copings without detracting from the look of the property.
Action Wall Ties have highly trained staff with a wealth of experience in dealing with period properties. We used our own design of diamond drilling equipment to drill for, and install, ties strengthening the structure.
Detailed Case Study
Problem: Stone Corbel Movement
The gable wall had a substantial stone corbel supporting the stone coping stones. Rotating and outward movement was noted to the stone corbel together with cracking to surrounding brickwork as well as dislodged coping stones and pediment.
Discussion
Action Wall Ties’ remediation works were designed to assist in restraining the masonry to return the integrity to the structure.
Stone Corbel Repair Solution
Remedial work by Action Wall Ties provided a cost effective long-term solution. The existing appearance of the building was maintained. Work was carried out with the minimal amount of disruption to residents and the environment.
The remediation works involved diamond drilling 38mm X 2000mm holes into stone corbels, and others into the pediment and stone coping, to accommodate installation of remedial Cintec 40mm sock anchors.
Cintec anchors installed in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation and by Action Wall Ties’ trained certificated operatives.
Action Wall Ties serve customers throughout the South East i.e. in Kent, Greater London, Sussex and in Essex.
Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems including issues with stone corbels, pediment and copings in Victorian properties. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.
Stabilisation of cracking and dropping Victorian brickwork arch
Victorian Box sash window brickwork arch defects repairs – bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repair and make good
The subject building was a traditionally built Victorian house on two floors below a pitched tiled roof.
This period property required sympathetic treatment by Action Wall Ties’ specialised staff. Cracking and dropping brickwork arch was stabilised with stainless steel bed joint reinforcement and ties, together with brickwork repairs maintaining the original appearance of the property.
Detailed Case Study:
Dropping and cracked brick arches.
Structural Problems
Action Wall Ties investigated and reported distortion, cracking and dropping of brick arches, along with some cracking to the brickwork above.
Causation
Action Wall Ties reported that the movement noted was believed to be progressive due to a combination of ageing, seasonal moisture, thermal expansion and contraction (i.e. hygrothermal) resulting in ineffective support from the existing arches allowing the brick arch to spread drop and the brickwork above to crack.
Structural Repair Solution
A long-term, cost-effective solution was provided by Action Wall Ties’ highly skilled operatives. The existing appearance of this period property was carefully maintained. The works were designed to minimise the disruption to the building’s occupants and minimise the impact on the environment.
Our remedial scheme involved introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming fenestration lintel repair and install resin bonded ties to reinstate the uniformity of the wall and provide restraint.
Greater London, Essex, Sussex and Kent are all covered by the professional services of Action Wall Ties.
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.
Substantial cracking brickwork to 18th Century water tower due to corroded mild steel – reinforce, remove corroding steelwork and make good
This building is an interesting 18th century purpose built water tower constructed to service a country estate with running water.
Problem: Cracking brickwork
AWT was contacted by the owners of the water tower with concerns about significant cracking to the brickwork.
On inspection we noted that there was indeed substantial cracking and distortion to the external brickwork, together with corresponding internal cracking.
The cracking noted appears to originate from the embedded mild steel.
Causation
The cracking noted was found to be progressive, mainly due to expanding corrosion from the mild steel RSJ’s lifting and cracking the brickwork and stone work, together with a combination of ageing, seasonal moisture, thermal expansion and contraction (i.e. hygrothermal).
Corrosion of the embedded mild steel resulted in the formation of ferrous oxide that expanded to several times the thickness of the metal it had resulted from, thus breaking out the brickwork and causing lifting and bowing of the walls.
Structural repair solution
Our proposed remedial scheme was to provide a viable repair by firstly removing the corroding mild steel, thus addressing the causation, and thereafter introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming, crack stitching, and lateral restraints to reconnect and restrain the brickwork, together with brickwork repairs to reinstate the uniformity of the wall and apply dry seal.
Starting at the top level and repeating to the lower levels we provided working platforms to accommodate the proposed works, installing temporary support with AWT developed props to brace the steel beams and allow for the removal of the embedded mild steel channels and RSJ’s, together with the removal of the surrounding brickwork.
We then replaced the removed channel with suitable bricks.
Once the brickwork was set the horizontal bed joint between the rebuilt and original brickwork was dry packed providing a supporting connection.
To maintain lateral restraining we drilled the masonry for, and resin bonded, stainless steel 12mm grip bars together with brickwork repairs.
To reconnect the brickwork we installed rows of twin 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement, forming a deep masonry beam to stitch localised cracks and to add cohesion and tensile strength to the brickwork.
Failing and Rotating Victorian Pentagon Bay Window
Unstable Victorian pentagon bay window. The masonry of this 5-sided bay window was failing and rotating. It required stabilising, realignment and reinforcement. AWT was able to restore the structural integrity of the ornate period bay window without slow and expensive rebuilding work.
The bay window at the corner of this end-of-terrace domestic Victorian property was in danger of collapse. There was significant visible outward leaning movement and the dropping of the brickwork arches in the pentagon bay window.
The Structural Problem
This two-storey, pentagon-shaped (also known as 5 lite/5 panel/5 pane) bay window with a brickwork crenellated parapet wall was found to be unstable. It suffered from rotational outward movement, dropping of the brickwork arches at ground floor level, and significant rotational outward movement to the masonry columns, causing spreading and dropping of the brickwork arches above, which was of great concern.
Sagging Bay Brickwork
Cracking Brick Arches
Gaps & Cracks
Dropping Brick Arches
Collapsing Brickwork
Leaning Bay Window
The structural defects in the bay window were having a knock-on effect on the rest of the house. Similar movement was reflected in both the front and left side elevations, with outward bulging noted and some cracking of the front ground floor arches.
The movement noted by the AWT survey team was progressive and advanced. The structural failings were attributable to ineffective, inadequate restraining to the bay window structure, This has allowed the masonry columns to bulge outwards and the brick arches to spread and drop, cracking the brickwork above and becoming unstable and in danger of collapse.
The Structural Repair Solution
Action Wall Ties proposed remedial scheme was to provide a viable repair by realignment and then introducing Bed Joint Reinforcement Beaming. Other structural repair techniques were also used including:
brickwork arch lintel repair
lateral restraints
special diamond drilling for grout tie injection
resin bonded ties
This combination of specialist structural repairs enabled the AWT team to reinstate the uniformity of the wall and provide restraint to the masonry.
We provided temporary support to the underside of the ground floor, then the underside of the first-floor window brick arches, removed debris from the cracks and deployed AWT designed and developed realigning cramping equipment to realign the masonry elements, closing open joints and returning the arches back to a more level line with the adjacent brickwork, along with the masonry columns, and into a more upright line before proceeding with the proposed drilling and reinforcing.
As indicated with red double dotted lines on our proposals 1, 2 & 3, we introduced twin 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement, forming a deep masonry beam.
As indicated with horizontal green parallel lines on our proposals 1, 2 & 3 to form the beam and reconnect the bay window elevational brickwork, once the brickwork had been realigned with AWT-designed drilling equipment we diamond drilled a 20mm hole through each elevation of the bay, through the main elevational wall and chased internally into the main elevation wall, injecting a grouted 8mm helical bar.
As indicated with vertical green lines on our proposals 1, 2 & 3, to the underside of the fenestration openings head, we drilled for, and installed, grouted 8mm helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch and passed them into the line of the deep masonry beam, installing them within the existing masonry.
As indicated with yellow stars on our proposal 2, we drilled for, and screwed directly into timber floor joists, 8mm stainless steel lateral restraints, all resin bonded to the masonry.
As indicated with vertical green parallel lines on our proposals 1, 2 & 3, once realigned and columns made more upright, we drilled with specially designed drilling rigs from the top of the parapet down through brickwork and passed into the top of the masonry columns in order to inject a grouted 12mm stainless steel grip bar.
For cracked brick arches scheduled for reinforcement listed above, we raked out the existing cracked mortar and repaired it with new coloured sand and cement mortar to approximately 20mm in depth.
Action Wall Ties have developed methods and trained skilled experienced operatives to strive to finish our work to always be sympathetic to the existing structure. Where possible AWT match replacement bricks, pointing style and mortar mixture for texture and colour.
Restored Pentagon Bay
Realignment of Brickwork
Realignment of Bay
Bay Window Repair
Reinforced Bay Window
Restored Bay Masonry
Period Bay Repairs
5-Pane Bay Repairs
Bay Window Crack Repair
As can be seen in the gallery images, AWT’s specialist structural repair techniques were able to save this beautiful pentagon bay window. The period features were preserved. A long-lasting repair to the structure was achieved without any visible fixings and without rebuilding work.
Restoration of Collapsing Bay
Restoration of Period Bay
Structural Repairs to Period Bay
Action Wall Ties services are available to clients in the South East i.e. in London & in Kent, Sussex & Essex. We regularly rectify problems and issues relating to cracking and movement around bay windows in properties of all ages and types.
Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in bay window reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.
AWT were the chosen contractors for the Crossrail project at the Victorian Connaught Tunnel in central London. Strengthening, pinning and pressure grouting techniques were used for this vital infrastructure project.
The Crossrail project was to breathe new life into the old Connaught Tunnel. It was built by the Victorians but was, at the time of this work, a disused brick-arched structure lying beneath London’s Royal Docks that survived a hit from a bomb during WW2. This was to be the only existing tunnel to be re-used for Crossrail. Works involved the widening, deepening, as well as strengthening, of the existing structure.
Action Wall Ties’ expertise and experience was sought to undertake the proposed strengthening works to the brickwork arches to the approach cutting, and the damaged area of brickwork rings that form the tunnel. This was to be carried out with the introduction of injected grout, grouted ties and pressure grouting areas where the brick work rings had separated, which was believed to be due to bomb damage.
In line with the Crossrail specification to reconnect the brickwork with the temporary supports in place we firstly drilled vertically 20mm holes 1000mm deep and injected cementitious grout, filling any contiguous voids. Once this was set we revisited the grout filled holes and re-drilled to 25mm for, and injected, cementitious grout and 16mm stainless steel bars simultaneously pinning the brickwork rings together.
After the completion of the pinning, in an attempt to fill any voids to complete the reconnection, we drilled a pattern of 16mm holes with the entrance counter drilled to receive injection packers, ready for the pressure grouting injection. With the pre-batched TamCrete MFC grout mixed and holes flushed with water we injected the grout up to 1 bar over injection pressure, until either hydraulic lock or venting grout from adjacent holes is attained.
Finally, AWT made good the entrance holes with concrete repair mortar.
AWT can provide cost effective structural repairs for a wide range of public sector and infrastructure projects. We operate not only in London but across the whole of the South East of England. We have many years of experience working on large projects, liaising with structural engineers and local authorities.
Contact AWT today to book a survey with one of our experienced team of structural repair specialists. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.
