Cavity Wall Tie & Crack Tie Replacement

Millions of homes and properties across the UK suffer from either wall tie corrosion or wall tie failure and are in need of specialist remedial wall tie replacement. More often than not the problem is that during building there have been insufficient wall ties installed. In order to remedy this, ebm Structural & Damp Defects Specialists have perfected our cost-effective and non-intrusive cavity wall tie replacement service.

Read on to find out more, or get in touch with our structural repair and cavity wall tie experts by clicking on the button below.

What Are Wall Ties?

Cavity wall ties and brick ties are terms that are used interchangeably to refer to long metal strips that tie the inner and outer walls together, creating a space that is known as the cavity void or cavity wall. Constructing walls this way improves the stability of the building, helps to protect the property against the elements and will also minimise the amount of heat you lose through your home.

How To Check If You Have Cavity Walls?

The two most common and effective ways to check if you have cavity walls are:

Check the brickwork pattern – If your external wall has a nice neat pattern this means you likely do have cavity walls. If the pattern is irregular with some long bricks and short bricks then the likelihood is that you have solid walls.
Measure the width of the wall – You can do this by taking a measuring tape to a door or window frame to measure the space between the external and internal wall. Generally if the space of more than 26cm then you do have cavity walls, while anything less means you probably have solid walls.

If you are unsure whether you have cavity walls or not then give our team a call for some expert help and advice.

Proud members of the Wall Tie Installers Federation

The Federation is nationally recognised as the accepted reference point for professional bodies along with private individuals seeking information or guidance on these subjects. The Wall Tie Installers Federation was formed in 1989 to ensure members work to a strict code of practice and the BRE standards.

25 Year Insurance Backed Gaurantee

The Wall Tie Installers Federation can help

If you need an inspection, we can help you select one of our Registered Installers to inspect your property and, if required, carry out the necessary wall tie remedial work. Our Installers are experienced in both the diagnosis and remedial treatment of wall ties along with any ancillary work that is required. Once the wall-tie work has been completed, an insured 25 year Warranty can be applied for from the Federation. Ask our Registered Installer about the warranty when the property is being inspected.

What Are The Signs Of Cavity Wall Failure

Unfortunately, cavity wall tie failure is only visible once the effects of cavity wall tie corrosion cause damage to the internal and external walls.

The ‘tell-tale signs’ of cavity wall tie failure include:

Horizontal cracking – at regular intervals in external mortar joints
Outward bulging of the wall – joints widen causing the wall to deflect outwards, often around window frames
The lifting of roof edges – at gables the growth of brickwork can cause a noticeable ‘pagoda’ effect
Internal cracks – vertical cracks may be found at internal wall junctions & horizontal cracks appear at internal wall & ceiling joints
Cracks to render coats

If you have experienced any of these issues then cavity wall tie failure could be to blame. Contacting a qualified expert to inspect your walls would be beneficial to diagnose the cause of your property problems as well as recommend the best course of action to remedy them.

Delaying any form of treatment for cavity wall tie problems tends only to lead to further deterioration to the building.

Get in touch with us today.

What Causes It?

Originally cavity wall ties were made using iron or steel to ensure their stability however, under damp conditions, iron or steel corrode. To prevent them from deteriorating, wall ties were galvanised with a protective zinc coating. Yet over time, it is not uncommon for wall ties to corrode as a result of the protective coating breaking down. The most frequent causes for this is down to insufficient wall ties being used during construction.

No industry standard implemented before 1945
Substandard galvanisation
Corrosive black ash mortar used
Location of the property – properties along the coast or areas more susceptible to driving rain and salt laden atmospheres are more at risk.

Cavity Wall Tie Replacement

Firstly, to establish the extent of the wall tie repairs and replacements required, our fully trained and professional surveyor will arrange the property inspection at a time that suits you. To locate the position of existing cavity wall ties, we use a range of specialist equipment such as metal detectors to plot the different locations of the wall ties and endoscopes to inspect the condition of cavity walls ties. The existing ties are isolated and extracted to prevent further corrosion with the new ties inserted in their place.

Types Of Replacement Wall Ties

Our standard replacement wall ties are formed in austenitic stainless steel, replacement ties are available in differing lengths to suit cavity widths up to 110mm. All designs incorporate a drip detail to prevent transmission of water across the cavity. A range of alternative wall tie designs are available: resin, drive tie or cementitious, so your property surveyor will recommend the best option for you. This depends on the type and condition of the masonry involved.

How Much Does It Cost?

The eventual cost of cavity wall tie replacement will depend on the severity of the problem and how many cavity wall ties you need to replace. At ebm Structural & Damp Defects, we have a team of local cavity wall tie survey specialists who will visit your property to conduct an investigation so they can understand the scale of the problem at hand. You will then receive a written report outlining the costs to repair and strengthen your wall by replacing your cavity wall ties.

Crack Tie Stitching

// What Is A Crack Tie?

A series of Helical crack stitching bars are retrofitted into cracked walls to reconnect walls on to either side of a fracture, The high-tensile stainless steel reinforcement bars are bonded into slots that extend 500mm either side of the crack to permanently strengthen the masonry and stabilise the structure within the cracked zone.

How It Works

Helical reinforcement bars have a deep interlocking Helix that provides an excellent bond when used with high strength polymer-modified resin to stitch brick and masonry walls, The bar and resin combination stitches across the cracks to hold the fractured wall together and to increase both the tensile and shear strength of the brickwork. Helically twisted bars have a unique torsional yield characteristic that absorbs stress and disperses the load along a greater length of the wall. The bars accommodate normal thermal and moisture movement and provide grate resilience to future crac

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