Cavity wall tie surveys, stainless steel replacement ties and structural crack stitching that stop movement and restore your brickwork. Covering Epsom & Ewell, Woking & Weybridge and Walton-on-Thames & Cobham and across Surrey.
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 Surrey 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.
Surrey's interwar and post-war estates, from Epsom and Ewell to Woking and Camberley, contain thousands of cavity-walled homes built with mild steel wall ties.
Horizontal cracking every few courses is the tell-tale sign, and we inspect and replace ties across the county.
Surrey has an unusually wide mix of property: Victorian villas in Surbiton and Kingston, Edwardian and interwar family homes across Elmbridge and Epsom, and centuries-old timber-framed cottages, barns and farmhouses in the villages around Guildford, Dorking and Godalming. Older solid-walled and timber-framed buildings need breathable, sympathetic repairs, while interwar cavity-walled homes are prime candidates for wall tie corrosion.
Ground conditions change across the county, from the heavy Weald Clay of the south and the chalk of the North Downs to the free-draining sands around Camberley and Bagshot. The Thames, Mole and Wey valleys bring high water tables and flood risk to towns like Molesey, Esher, Cobham, Leatherhead and Guildford, which is why we see so many damp cellars and below-ground problems close to the rivers.
Interwar semis and Edwardian family homes on clay, where corroded wall ties, cracked brickwork and bridged damp proof courses are frequent findings.
Edwardian and interwar homes alongside modern apartments, where condensation in well-sealed flats and wall tie corrosion in older houses are common.
Riverside and interwar housing where flooding, high groundwater and cracked cavity walls all feature in our Surrey surveys.
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 Surrey 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.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. We regularly work in Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham and West Molesey, and throughout Elmbridge, Kingston upon Thames, Guildford, Woking, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.
Towns and areas we cover in Surrey
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.
Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely more than a short drive from any Surrey property.
Yes. We regularly survey and treat listed and period properties around Guildford, Dorking, Godalming and the Surrey villages, using breathable, lime-compatible materials where the building needs them.
Surrey is home. Tapco has been based in Thames Ditton since 1971, with an office in Esher too, so we are rarely far from a Surrey property. Towns we visit regularly include Dorking, Guildford, Camberley, Banstead, Cobham, West Molesey, Woking and Albury. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Surrey
Our other specialist services for Surrey homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Guildford & Godalming and Kingston & Surbiton.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Guildford & Godalming and Dorking & Leatherhead.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Kingston & Surbiton and Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Woking & Weybridge and Kingston & Surbiton.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Guildford & Godalming and Dorking & Leatherhead.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Esher, Thames Ditton & Molesey and Walton-on-Thames & Cobham.
Client testimonials
Tapco really helped me with the issues I had in my house. I found them really helpful, reliable and organised. The team was really polite and gave me a lot of information about what they were doing and how it would help fix the issues. The Tapco guys cleaned after themselves and that is a big plus in my book.
Live just outside Surrey? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
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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.
