Newman’s teams of Structural Repair Technicians have begun works across London and the South East restoring the Structural Integrity of Failed Masonry.
Investigation works are underway at a block of low level flats in Oxford to discover the cause of subsidence. Investigation works include CCTV drainage inspections, Water pressure testing of incoming mains water supply, Soil investigations and structural diagnosis.
Structural Inspections
Bay Window Repairs are underway in Fulham, South West London for one of our Principal contractor clients. Newman’s were called in to carry out a Structural Survey and crack monitoring as the bay window was moving outwards causing major concern. A structural repair specification was designed and installation has begun incorporating Twistfix’s Bed Joint Reinforcement and Lateral Restraint Ties which will be provide a permanent insurance backed solution.
Bay Window Restraint
Concrete repairs and Anti Carbonation coatings are underway in North London to a commercial shopping precinct and the social housing above as vertical and horizontal cracking had appeared across the structure. the cause of cracking was identified as lack of cover to the concrete reinforcing causing oxidastion of the reinforcing rods and spalling the concrete. An anti carbonation coating is also being spray applied to the concrete structure after the concrete repairs.
Bulging walls in period properties are a common defect that are often seen along the gable and flank elevations of a property. This defect is especially common in Edwardian and Victorian properties but is also evident in properties of all ages.
Bowing Wall
Bowing walls should not be regarded as ‘just the way it was built’ this is a serious structural defect that will require a structural repair solution in order to prevent further movement or complete failure.
If the bowing in the wall is only at the levels where the floor joists run either into or alongside then this is more than likely to indicate that lateral movement also known as outward movement has occurred.
Lateral Restraint Tie
Lateral movement occurs when there is no connection between the masonry and the floor joists or stair case allowing the masonry to move independently. In order to prevent further outward movement you must provide a connection between the two.
Newman’s utilise Twistfix lateral restraint ties which are an 8mm stainless steel tie which are installed externally through a 12mm hole in the masonry into the floor joist. With a concealed resin fix to the masonry we are able to tie the masonry to the floor joist which restrains any further movement.
Wall Tie Failure Caused Bowing Walls
In modern properties or buildings constructed with a cavity wall then the bowing if not confined to the floor joist levels only could indicate that there are other structural defects such as wall tie failure which will need to be assessed.
Out lateral restraint schemes for bowing walls can be guaranteed for ten years covered by an IGL insurance backed guarantee. Contact us today if your property is showing signs of outward movement.
Newman’s were called upon by a commercial property management company who own various trading estates across London.
Many trading estates in London are still Victorian brick built structures that have stood the test of time and are still fully functional. The masonry construction of most of these structures is built using 13 inch solid masonry laid in English bond using lime mortar. This type of construction is a strong bond which will allow slight movement.
We were called out to attend site as a matter of urgency due to the crack rapidly widening and in some places was over 10mm’s wide. We carried out a structural survey free of charge the same day and designed a repair specification that would restore the structural integrity without any major disruption to the business operating in the building.
Crack Repairs, North London
We used our own mobile scaffold tower alleviating the need for traditional scaffolding enabling us to be on site just two days after the initial survey.
To repair the crack in the brickwork we installed 14 No masonry beams across the crack which was drilled back into the left and right pillars. This method of crack repair not only crack stitches but distributes the loads imposed and distributes them across the masonry preventing further cracking.
Crack Repairs, North London
The parapet wall was secured using 1.5m grout ties which were installed vertically down through the brick work which saved huge costs in a rebuild.
The repair was guaranteed against failure for 10 years. The repairs lasted only 2 days allowing the business to remain fully operational.
