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.
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.
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 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
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
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
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.
