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.
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.
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.
