Repairs to masonry stonework & Render Archives - Page 2 of 2

Bay window cracking dropping subsidence

Failing Victorian terraced house bay window cracking dropping subsidence – bed joint reinforcement beaming, crack stitching and brickwork repairs

Victorian bay window subsidence repair.

The subject building was a socially-owned Victorian terraced house with significant bay window cracking and rotational movement reported.

Structural engineers had been engaged and their investigation revealed the bay windows’ footing had been affected by leakage from a damaged drain and repairs instigated.

To avoid costly underpinning and new footing, the structural engineers recommended delaying any further works to allow some recovery of the underlying clay to take place.

Thereafter, they recommended that remedial works should be undertaken to include some rebuilding of the rotated brickwork at ground floor and the reconnecting and restraining of the bay window structure at ground and first floor levels with bed joint reinforcement and lateral restraints.

Action Wall Ties designed and completed the remediation works

Our remedial scheme provided a viable repair by introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming, crack stitching and brickwork repairs to reinstate the uniformity of the structure.

To the basement level of the front bay window we provided temporary support and braced the brickwork columns to accommodate the deconstruction of a sufficient amount of distorted brickwork to accommodate the realignment and reconnection of brickwork and masonry elements onto the existing footing.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems including Victorian bay window cracks and movement including subsidence and other issues in the South East (around Kent and London). Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

Bay window with cracking and spalled pointing

Victorian terraced house bay window problems with cracking and spalled pointing – bed joint reinforcement beaming, lateral restraints, grout tie injection and resin bonded ties and repointing

The subject building was a traditionally built mid-terraced domestic Victorian/Edwardian residence with cracking to the front bay window and spalling pointing to the rear elevation.

Bay Window Problem

Some visible rotational bulging and cracking movement was noted to the front bay window, distortion and spreading of the supporting brickwork, and the dropping and cracking of masonry lintels was also noted.

The movement noted was clearly progressive, due to ineffective and inadequate restraining.

Bay Window Repair Solution

AWT’s remedial scheme provided a viable repair by introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming, lateral restraints, grout tie injection and resin bonded ties to reinstate the uniformity of the wall and provide restraint.

As indicated with red double dotted lines on our proposal 1, we introduced two rows of twin 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement, forming a deep masonry beam.

As indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal 1, formation of the beam and reconnecting the bay window elevational brickwork. To accomplish this we diamond drilled a 20mm hole through the right hand elevation, chased into the main elevation and installed a grouted 8mm helical bar.

As indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal 1, we drilled for, and installed, grouted or driven 8mm helical stainless steel pins through the window reveals on both sides at ground floor level to tie back to the main elevation. In accordance with data specification sheet TLR 09 Appendix C.

As indicated with yellow stars on our proposal 1, in conjunction with the beams, we drilled for, and screwed, 8mm stainless steel lateral restraints into the floor joists and resin bonded to the masonry. In accordance with data specification sheet TRB 02 & 04 Appendix C

Making Good – Concrete Repairs

As indicated with blue lines on our proposal 1, we raked out the cracks and made good with, a concrete repair mortar system.

To the cracks to the spandrel brickwork scheduled for reinforcement listed above, we raked out the existing cracked mortar and repaired with new coloured sand and cement mortar to approximately 20mm in depth.

As indicated within the blue lines on our proposal 1, we raked out 20mm of the existing spalling pointing and re-point with coloured sand, lime and cement mortar to approximately 20mm in depth with rubbed-in finish.

Action Wall Ties have developed methods and trained skilled experienced operatives to strive to finish our works to be sympathetic with the existing by attempting to match replacement bricks, pointing style and mortar mixture for texture and colour.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in structural defect remediation, masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Greater London, Essex, Sussex and Kent are all covered by the professional structural repair services of Action Wall Ties. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.

Cracking Museum Courtyard Walls

This Grade II listed mansion in London W1 is now a national museum housing the Wallace Collection. AWT were called in to repair cracked brickwork in the courtyard walls. The brickwork repairs on this heritage building needed to provide a cost effective, long term solution while preserving the appearance of the red brick and render walls.

The subject building in central London, known as Hertford House, dates from the 1770s and features red brick and render courtyard walls.

As part of a major refurbishment cracking to the front courtyard walls was to be addressed.

Working with the main contractor and architects we proposed and completed remedial works including bed joint reinforcement, brickwork repairs and render finish repairs.

AWT used their specialist structural repair techniques to restore structural integrity without the need for visible fixings or slow, costly rebuilding work. The beauty of the red brick and render finish was preserved.

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

AWT are available for large and small projects in London, Kent, 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.

Structurally Unstable Period Property

Victorian / Edwardian property in Harrow, Greater London, saved from partial demolition and rebuild.

This period property in North West London was saved from partial demolition and rebuild by our specialist structural repair techniques and solutions.

5 Along side before 225x300 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

Bowing brick columns 1 225x300 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

The Structural Problems

Slender brick columns between the front windows were severely bowing outwards.

The masonry above the windows was dropping and sagging. The gable wall above was leaning inwards and had started to collapse.

There was evidence of previous attempts at repairs by traditional builders.

The building had been deemed structurally unstable and was unoccupied. Standard building contractors has proposed demolishing the affected areas and rebuilding. This process would be lengthy and costly.

Bowing brick columns 2 225x300 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

Bowing brick columns 3 225x300 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

Demolition and rebuilding would have destroyed much of the ornate brickwork and altered the character of the property. A partial rebuild of the property would also have entailed removing all the internal finishings from the affected areas which would add to the costs.

Click on the gallery below to see how far out of alignment the brick columns were.

repair work victorian pillar 230x120 - Structurally Unstable Period Property — Before

bowing pillar before 230x120 - Structurally Unstable Period Property — Before

pillar after 230x120 - Structurally Unstable Period Property — After

The brick columns around the windows of this Victorian / Edwardian property had rusting metal fixings within the brickwork. This is a common cause of cracking and bowing in brickwork.

The slender support columns were visibly bowing causing structural instability in the brickwork above.

The brickwork of the gable above was leaning in and was only being held in place by the internal roof rafter. Some of the brickwork had collapsed inwards leaving a hole in the wall.

Apex 3 230x120 - Structurally Unstable Period Property — Before

Apex 2 230x120 - Structurally Unstable Period Property — Before

Apex 1 230x120 - Structurally Unstable Period Property — Before

Apex 4 - Structurally Unstable Period Property — After

Structural Repair Solution

Specialist equipment designed by Action Wall Ties was employed to firstly retain the columns to allow the removal of the corroded fixings and debris then realign the columns back to inline before installing new stainless steel fixings to reinstate the structural integrity of the masonry.

Specialist hydraulic rams developed by Action Wall Ties were used to gradually realign the thin brickwork columns. Custom made stainless steel fixings were then installed to strengthen and stabilise the masonry.

Replacement bricks, where necessary, were colour matched to the existing bricks. In areas where the mortar was disturbed repointing was carried out using colour matched mortar.

Long Lasting Structural Repairs

AC c2 300x225 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

AC c3 300x225 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

AC c4 300x225 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

The precisely targeted repairs carried out by Action Wall Ties preserved the decorative brickwork of this Victorian / Edwardian property. The repair works were substantially cheaper and faster than the proposed rebuild. In contrast with rebuilding, the precision techniques used by Action Wall Ties left the internal finishings of the property virtually unscathed.

AC c1 225x300 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

AC c5 225x300 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

AC c6 225x300 - Structurally Unstable Period Property

Action Wall Ties offer structural repair services to period properties for clients in the South East – in London & in Surrey, Kent, Sussex & Essex.

Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in repairs to period properties with bespoke solutions avoiding the need to demolish and rebuild. We also offer professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.