bowing masonry

Bulging Walls and Bowing Walls

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 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 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.

 

 

 

Author: Jon Newman
Posted:
Categories: Bowing Walls, Crack Diagnosis

Cracks Above Window and Door Openings

Diagonal cracks above window openings and door openings are common structural defects that show signs of movement which will need to be rectified.

Diagonal Cracking Above Opening
Diagonal Cracking Above Opening

Diagonal stepped cracking often indicates that the lintel that supports the masonry above the opening has failed. There are many types of lintels available and in use such as brick arch and soldier course lintels commonly found in period properties. Newer lintels are normally steel Catnic type lintels which can also fail showing signs of diagonal cracking above the opening.

Diagonal Cracking Above Opening
Diagonal Cracking Above Opening

In many instances the threat of collapse is over looked and simply ignored, in some cases cracks are raked out and repointed but if further movement was to occur the already compromised lintel could in theory collapse bringing the masonry above it crashing down as well.

Diagonal Cracking Above Opening
Diagonal Cracking Above Opening

Lintel Failure often occurs upon the removal of hardwood windows that were originally designed to bear a substantial load without distorting and are replaced with standard uPVC windows which are non-load bearing allowing the lintel to drop or bow causing sagging of the lintel which is shown by the diagonal stepped cracking.

Traditional methods are to remove the lintel and rebuild it, this is an intrusive method of repair and a slow process typically taking around a day to properly remove and replace a lintel.

Lintels can now be repaired using the Twistfix Helical System by using their Bed Joint Reinforcement which effectively creates a new lintel within the existing masonry by remove the mortar within two bed joints above the lintel and inserting helical rods encompassed in grout to create a load bearing lintel which spreads the structural loads across the length of the bars preventing further sagging of the lintel.

Bed Joint Reinforcement Repairing Lintels
Bed Joint Reinforcement Repairing Lintels

With the patented Twistfix 9mm CD helical tie we are able to install 450mm long ties vertically through the masonry in the lintel and pin it into the masonry above. This method is a vast improvement on previous pinning methods which often required 16mm holes drilled through the lintel. We can now install these ties through just 6 or 7mm pilot holes.

This type of repair is a fast and effective method of repair which has been tried and tested with BRE approval. Newman’s can guarantee this type of repair for ten years as we are a member of IGL insurance which covers the consumer in the event that we cease trading.

Author: Jon Newman
Posted:
Categories: Crack Diagnosis

Bridge Reinforcement

Bridges and Viaduct Reinforcement.

Across England there are hundreds of bridges and viaducts constructed from brick and random stone usually built using brick arch spandrels, built well over 100 years ago, having not been designed to meet today’s standards with volume and weight of traffic that we have on the roads and railways today many are in need of reinforcement and repair in order to maintain their use.

Bridge Repairs
Bridge Repairs

Many of these structures have fallen into a state of disrepair and must be reinforced in order to keep them open and serving their purpose. Traditional reinforcement is costly and can lead to major road and rail closures and diversions but Newman’s are able to use modern methods of repair to reinforce these structures.

Bridge Reinforcement
Bridge Reinforcement

Utilising the Twistfix system we are able to reinforce delaminated spandrels enabling them to withstand the weights and speeds that road and rail vehicles impose in this modern world.

By installing helical bar to the underside of the spandrel and installing grout ties through the spandrel we are able to provide an engineered reinforcement solution that enables the route to stay open and improves the load capacity of these bridges and viaducts. Click here to view the Twistfix method video.

Much of the pointing has failed on the large structures and removal and replacement is a delicate process. Newman’s skilled technicians are able to reinstate mortar that’s loose or missing combined with our structural reinforcement scheme we are able to provide a last guaranteed solution.

Author: Jon Newman
Posted:
Categories: Bridge Reinforcement