Archive June 2013

Concrete and Masonry Repairs Oxford

Newman’s have once again been called upon by Oxford City Council to carry out Structural Surveys to a number of properties and structures.

concrete crack
concrete crack

This block of four garages is suffering from a large number of substantial cracks within the masonry due to movement of the concrete floor slab, the garages have been monitored for a period of 18 months and there has been no further on-going movement.

Masonry Repairs
Masonry Repairs

Newman’s have been asked to put together a structural repair scheme using the Twistfix Helical System, our design will include Twistfix  masonry beams and crack stitches as well as repairs to the concrete floor slab.

This large block of garages is also suffering from cracked brickwork and has also slipped off its DPC (damp proof course) due to no movement joints being present, Newman’s will again design a scheme to include Twistfix crack stitches and Twistfix retro fit movement joints, where the brickwork has slipped of the DPC localised areas will be rebuilt.

Crack Repairs
Crack Repairs

Finally this block of flats requires repairs to its balconies, our design will include the Weber concrete repair system and the Vulkem balcony repair system, all of the above projects will be available on the case study section of the website soon.

Crack Repairs
Crack Repairs

To find out how Newman’s can help with your Concrete and Masonry Repairs contact our head office on0333 444 0154 or email enquiries@newmans.com

Author: Jon Newman
Posted:
Categories: Building and Structural Repairs, Social Housing, Surveys

Why You Should Always Choose a Specialist….

Structural Repairs and Concrete Repairs are often under-looked as a specialist trade with many companies and DIY enthusiasts just having a go…

Even specialist companies within the structural repair industry incorrectly install structural repair products which then become defunct and in some instances cause more damage than good.

Here’s a few examples where Newman’s have been called in to rectify works installed incorrectly.

This picture below is an example of a 9mm helical tie which was supposed to be tying the front elevation of a Victorian commercial property on a busy high street which was bowing outwards. You can visit our case study here to view the Newman solution.

Incorrect Installation
Incorrect Installation

This picture is of a concrete repair which was carried out by a builder using a weak sand cement mix to reinstate the structural integrity of the concrete supporting beam which had failed due to corrosion of the reinforcing steel within the concrete.

Terrible Concrete Repair

And this is a crack repair carried out apparently by a reputable contractor who are associated with a ‘leading manufacturer’ in the South West, (we won’t name and shame), where instead of using a helical bar encompassed in reinforcement grout such as that we use supplied by Twistfix instead a 6mm galvanised steel rod was inserted into the bed joint and simply pointed over.

Crack Stitching Gone Wrong

Always use a specialist with a good reputation who can supply references and case studies of previous work and supply genuine insurance backed guarantees.

Author: Jon Newman
Posted:
Categories: Building and Structural Repairs

Masonry Beams Installed for Southawk Council

Newman’s work closely with many councils across London carrying out Structural Repairs including the design and installation of repairs using the comprehensive range of Twistfix remedial solutions.

We were called upon to investigate cracking to elderly residents bungalows which had shown signs of ground movement. Newman’s were asked to design a solution that would restrain further movement.

Subsidence
Subsidence

The councils own engineers had been monitoring the movement using crack pins and the property had been stable for a period of 12 months indicating that underpinning or piling in the first instance was not necessary.

Masonry Beams were installed which will distribute the loads across the existing masonry effectively creating lintels within the bed joint. Twistfix are the only helical bar distributor that have had BRE test results and using their test data we are able to design a suitable solution for all structural repair projects.

Masonry Beams & Stitches
Masonry Beams & Stitches

With local cracks repaired using crack stitches and grout injection combined with the bed joint reinforcement it is unlikely that cracking will occur unless there is substantial ground movement which will be remotely monitored.

The full case study will be coming soon, in the mean time if you have any cracks that require a structural  survey be sure to contact London’s leading structural repair contractor today on 0333 444 0154

Author: Jon Newman
Posted:
Categories: Building and Structural Repairs, Case Study, Social Housing