Cavity wall tie surveys, stainless steel replacement ties and structural crack stitching that stop movement and restore your brickwork. Covering Wandsworth & Clapham, Croydon & Bromley and Hackney and across London.
Book a surveyHorizontal cracks every few courses of brickwork, bulging walls and lifting window sills are classic signs of failing cavity wall ties, a problem we find in many London homes built with early mild steel ties.
Other cracks have different causes. Our surveyors inspect the ties inside the cavity with a borescope and assess any cracking before recommending a repair.
Many of London's interwar and post-war houses were built with cavity walls and mild steel ties that are now corroding. We also repair cracked masonry in older solid-walled properties, where settlement, failed lintels or tree roots on London Clay have caused movement.
London's housing stock is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces, Georgian townhouses and mansion blocks, many now split into flats. Most were built with solid brick walls and original slate or bitumen damp proof courses that are now well over a century old. Raised pavements and garden levels, lower ground floors and shared party walls all make damp more likely, and conversions often introduce new kitchens and bathrooms without enough ventilation.
Much of London sits on London Clay, which holds water and swells and shrinks with the seasons, while areas close to the Thames and its lost tributaries have high water tables. That combination puts constant moisture pressure on lower ground floors, vaults and basements, and is why so many London basement projects need a properly designed waterproofing system.
Long streets of Victorian and Edwardian terraces on London Clay, many extended at the back and into the loft, so bridged damp proof courses, rear-wall cracking and condensation in new kitchens are common.
Large areas of 1920s and 1930s semis with mild steel wall ties that are now rusting, plus Victorian homes on clay soils prone to seasonal movement.
Victorian terraces converted into flats alongside large estates, where condensation and black mould in bedrooms and bathrooms are among the most frequent call-outs.
Cavity walls are held together by metal ties bridging the gap between the inner and outer leaves. Older mild steel ties corrode, and as the rust expands it lifts the mortar joints, causing horizontal cracking. Eventually the ties can fail completely and the outer wall can bow away.
Where ties have failed, we install high-performance stainless steel replacement ties in the pattern required by current building regulations and, where necessary, isolate the old corroded ties so they stop expanding.
Where cracking has already occurred, structural crack stitching restores strength. Mortar joints are raked out, high-tensile stainless steel helical bars are bonded in with specialist resin, and the joints are repointed to match, giving a strong, discreet repair.
A PCA-qualified, commission-free surveyor visits your London property, investigates with calibrated equipment and identifies the cause.
You receive a clear written report explaining what we found and what we recommend, with a fixed quotation and no hidden extras.
Our own trained team carries out the work, protecting your home, keeping dust down and leaving everything clean.
You receive a written guarantee, which can be protected by an Insurance Backed Guarantee for a single premium.
Our surveyors are in London every day, travelling in from our Thames Ditton office in south-west London. We regularly work in Bromley, Acton, Balham, Battersea, Biggin Hill and Blackheath, and throughout Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth, Lambeth and Southwark.
Towns and areas we cover in London
Find out more about our cracked walls & wall ties service.
Book a survey
If you’ve noticed any of these issues, arranging a professional survey is the best way to identify the cause and prevent further damage.
We drill small holes into the mortar and use a borescope (a small camera) to see the ties in the cavity, without opening up the wall.
No. Cracks can come from settlement, subsidence, defective lintels, thermal movement or timber decay. Diagnosing the cause correctly is essential before any repair.
Most houses take a few days, depending on size and access. The work is done from outside, so disruption indoors is minimal.
Yes. Our surveyors cover the whole county. Get in touch with your postcode to arrange a visit.
Yes. Much of our London work is in flats, maisonettes and lower ground floor conversions. We can liaise with managing agents and freeholders where the cause of a problem sits in a communal part of the building or a neighbouring flat.
Yes. Our teams work in central London every week and plan for parking suspensions, congestion charge zones and restricted access, so you don't have to.
Our surveyors are in London every day, travelling in from our Thames Ditton office in south-west London. Towns we visit regularly include Bromley, Acton, Balham, Battersea, Biggin Hill, Blackheath, East Ham and Hammersmith. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in London
Our other specialist services for London homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Kensington & Chelsea and Richmond & Barnes.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Greenwich & Lewisham and Kensington & Chelsea.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Kensington & Chelsea and Richmond & Barnes.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Hackney and Kensington & Chelsea.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Kensington & Chelsea and Islington & Camden.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Richmond & Barnes and Kensington & Chelsea.
Client testimonials
Tapco Homedry provided a comprehensive and useful report on the causes of the dampness and condensation in one of our flats that allowed the flat owner to proceed with the most appropriate remedial work. Tapco were pleasant, professional and very helpful, and the visit for their report was arranged and conducted promptly.
Live just outside London? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
Find the right service / 1 minute
Tell us what you’re seeing and we’ll point you to the right treatment. Four quick questions.
From our offices in Thames Ditton and Esher, our surveyors cover London and the surrounding counties, providing fast response times for residential and commercial properties alike.
We regularly work with:
Whether your property requires a damp survey, timber inspection or basement waterproofing system, our experienced team is ready to help.
Our certifications reflect our commitment to the highest standards of work and quality.
Why Tapco
Established in 1971
Choosing Tapco HomeDry means choosing a company with a proven history of protecting properties across the South East.
We believe every property deserves an individual assessment. That’s why our recommendations are based on what your building genuinely needs, not unnecessary treatments.
Tapco (Preservation) Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (Financial Services Register No. 423558) of Phoenix Financial Consultants Limited (Phoenix). Phoenix is a credit broker, not a lender. Phoenix is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 539195), and offers finance from its panel of lenders. All finance subject to status and credit checks.
