The decent homes scheme is still running and Newman’s work with many main contractors on window replacement schemes and External Wall Insulation contracts in order to repair masonry and allow the safe upgrade of properties.
Bed Joint Reinforcement
Often with window replacement schemes it is discovered that lintels are defective and in some instances have even collapsed upon removal of windows. We carry out lintel surveys on behalf of the council or the main contractor and specify repair programmes that will not hold up the schedule and will restore the structural integrity of the brickwork saving time and money on costly lintel rebuilds.
Lintel Failure
Wall tie failure is another common structural defect within social housing due to many properties being built within the 1930’s to 1960’s using iron fishtail ties which have corroded and failed or in some instances simply a lack of wall ties have been installed during the construction phase. Only specialist contractors like us should be used for wall tie replacement schemes.
Wall Tie Failure
Often these structural defects only come to light whilst other trades are on site requiring us to have a fast turnaround, we can normally attend site within 24 hours and will design a repair strategy on site using our in house surveyors.
If you are currently working on any social housing schemes that require our services please do not hesitate to contact us right away.
Cracking where the party wall or partition wall meets external walls is a common problem caused by a lack of connection between the two walls.
Cross Wall Tying
Often the connection between the two walls is just a cement fillet which provides no connection or protection against outward movement.
In order to tie the two walls together we utilise the twistfix bed joint reinforcement by chasing out the external bed joints, drilling into the partition wall and chasing into the internal partition wall providing an L shaped tie resisting any further movement. The cement fillet is raked out to a depth of 80mm and injected with twistfix cementitous grout providing a permanent solution guaranteed against failure for 10 years.
Horizontal cracking to the external masonry of a property that is of cavity construction indicates a serious structural defect which will need to be investigated by a specialist.
In the most common instances short horizontal cracks within the mortar bed will indicate that the wall ties have failed and are suffering from oxidisation.
Wall Tie Failure
With a failure in the wall tie caused by corrosion iron oxide layers build up on the tie increasing the ties mass, lifting the brick which separates the brick from the mortar it was laid on to therefore the connection between the internal skin of masonry and the external skin of masonry is lost leaving the potential for collapse of the masonry which has happened.
Corroded Wall Tie
If you have horizontal cracking to the external skin of masonry you should initially contact a wall tie specialist like ourselves and have an intrusive Wall Tie Survey carried out so that the cause of the cracking can be diagnosed and a suitable repair scheme implemented.
Wall Tie Replacement is a delicate process which although appears simple should not be deemed so. Many Wall Tie replacement contractors come and go usually due to poor workmanship and incompetence so always use a reputable company.
Wall Tie Replacement
Newman’s are approved by the manufacturer Twistfix to design and install replacement Wall Tie schemes which we can guarantee for up-to 25 years. We specialise in Wall Tie Replacement and have designed and implemented many schemes.
