Newman’s are IRATA accredited rope access trained allowing us to offer a very bespoke package to our clients.
We utilise this method of access where conventional access is either impracticable, due to site conditions or the extensive cost or time implications that traditional methods such as scaffolding or cradle erection impose.
Rope Access compliments our vast array of specialist services and are extremely useful when carrying out surveys to high rise structures.
Tower Block
We are currently carrying out concrete inspection surveys and repair to the largest building in Watford, which is a 14 storey tower block, on behalf of the YMCA. Our recent rope access projects include feasibility surveys in central London, Structural Survey and Repair to 3 tower blocks in Hackney, East London and a Bridge Inspection in West London.
Rope Access Survey
With the councils budgets slashed, cost effective solutions to structural inspections and repair solutions are required in order to upkeep the integrity of these streets in the sky. Newman’s carry out surveys and repairs such as concrete repair, wall tie replacement, movement joint installation, bed joint reinforcement, brick slip repair to name but a few.
If you have a high rise structure that is in need of a survey to assess the condition of the building or the building has been surveyed and is in need of repairs be sure to contact us today.
At Newman’s we carry out a large volume of wall tie surveys across London and the South coast to properties that have had a wall tie failure of the original wall ties, but ever increasingly we are receiving more and more inquiries for wall tie surveys after new remedial wall ties have been installed, and failed.
There are many different wall ties available on the market to diy’ers and untrained installers who see the installation as simple as drilling a hole, tightening an expander or using a resin or mastic to fix the wall tie.
In principal installation is simple, specification of an appropriate tie is also fairly simple, but to do it correctly and install a lasting permanent solution isn’t if you are not experienced.
for instance here is a tie installed by a ‘reputable’ cavity wall insulation company who decided they would install wall ties to 9 retirement bungalows…..
Failed Wall Tie
The wall tie has smashed the brick in half losing all bearing within the brick and it was found to be fixed with a red flexible caulk type mastic. This is a prime example of remedial wall tie installation carried out by untrained persons who unfortunately have failed to restore the structural integrity.
Wall ties are a vital part of your structure and should only be installed by experienced contractors.
A cavity wall is a fairly modern method of construction used when constructing buildings, it give a gap between the two skins of masonry. The construction of cavity walls began in the late 20th century to prevent the penetration of moisture through the outer skin of the building into the inner leaf of the wall. During early construction of cavity walls the masonry panels were tied using bricks placed end on into the inner skin until a metal wall tie was developed.
Cavity Wall Construction
The Introduction of the Iron Fishtail.
Cavity construction had begun in the early 1900’s but with a huge house building boom in Britain in the 1930’s cavity wall construction was the main method adopted due to the speed and ease of construction and this new method prevented damp penetration between the two skins. Wrought and cast iron ‘fishtail ties’ were developed and rapidly deployed as a structural component tying the two skins together.
Corroded Fishtail Wall Tie
The Problem.
Wrought and Cast Iron are prone to corrosion, this causes them to fail weakening the structure and putting the property at risk of collapse. The fishtail ties corrode and there are many factors that cause the corrosion mainly being oxidisation of the iron causing expansion of the tie which lifts the bed joint it is bedded in causing horizontal cracking and loss of strength allowing lateral movement. Other factors such as aggressive mortar like those found in black ash mortar accelerate corrosion as well as the porous and weak Lime sand mortar often used in London. The problem is rapidly accelerated in coastal areas found across the South East coast due to the high content of salt water present. As well as corrosion tie density and spacing is also a cause of concern as it is often found that there are inadequate wall ties within the masonry panel especially at the weakest points around window and door openings.
Wall Tie Installation
The Solution.
Help is at hand with the specialist Twistfix CD Remedial Wall tie, of which Newman’s are approved designers and installers of this type of repair specification. A specialist remedial wall tie programme will be designed by our team of surveyors and engineers who carry out a site investigation and will determine the appropriate course of action offering a cost effective repair solution. The existing failed wall ties are covered with a specialist designed sleeve that encompasses the corroded tie in a resin preventing further corrosion. Remedial ties are installed across the effective areas conforming to the latest British Standards restoring the structural integrity of the property and tying the two skins of masonry together.
