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 have begun a lintel reinforcement scheme for a social housing client in south London to a low level block of flats.
The original timber windows were removed by a glazing contractor who discovered that the brickwork was built without any Intel’s present so upon removal of the frame the masonry above failed causing cracking and sagging.
Helical Rods Are Installed
Twistfix helical rods will be installed between the window openings to repair the masonry and create lintels within the brickwork and pinning ties installed vertically through the last course of bricks pinning it into sound masonry.
Our technicians will be onsite for only one week to allow the glazing contractor to ccarry out their works safely.
Newman’s surveyors have carried out 2 interesting structural repair surveys today in London.
The first survey today was to two houses built along the edge a canal in west London. The movement is established as historic settlement causing cracking to the brickwork and altering the load paths resulting I diagonal cracking above the lintels indicating brick arch lintel failure. In order to restore the failed lintel masonry beams well be installed along with 450mm pinning ties installed vertically through the lintel.
Brick arch lintel failure
The second survey in London was to identify the cause of cracking to this grade I listed tower in central London. The tower is built from 13 inch solid brick work and had substantial areas of cracking. The cause of cracking is a combination of ground settlement, lintel failure and brick damaged caused by freeze thaw cycle. In order to repair the masonry over 1500 metres of helical bar will need to be installed.
