Cavity wall tie surveys, stainless steel replacement ties and structural crack stitching that stop movement and restore your brickwork. Covering Wokingham, Bracknell and Reading and across Berkshire.
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 Berkshire 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.
Cavity wall tie corrosion is common in Berkshire's post-war and interwar housing, particularly in Reading, Slough and Bracknell. Where movement has already cracked the brickwork, we combine tie replacement with helical bar crack stitching.
Berkshire's towns are full of Victorian terraces in Reading's distinctive red and silver-grey brick, Edwardian villas in Maidenhead and Windsor, post-war and new-town housing in Bracknell, and village cottages across West Berkshire. Victorian solid walls with ageing slate damp proof courses are a frequent source of rising damp.
The Thames and Kennet valleys run through the county, and Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor, Datchet and Wraysbury all have low-lying areas with high water tables and a history of flooding. Below-ground rooms near the rivers often need properly designed waterproofing.
Interwar and period homes on clay, where wall tie corrosion and cracked brickwork are frequent findings.
New-town and post-war housing where condensation and mould in well-sealed homes are common.
Victorian terraces in the town's red and silver-grey brick close to the Thames and Kennet, where rising damp and flood-related damp are everyday problems.
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 Berkshire 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.
We cover all of Berkshire and neighbouring south Buckinghamshire, including Marlow, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. We regularly work in Maidenhead, Slough, Bracknell, Finchampstead, Reading and Ascot, and throughout Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Windsor & Maidenhead, Slough and West Berkshire.
Towns and areas we cover in Berkshire
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. Alongside the whole of Berkshire we cover neighbouring south Buckinghamshire, including Marlow, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross.
Yes. We dry and repair flood-affected properties in Reading, Maidenhead, Windsor, Datchet and Wraysbury, and can advise on waterproofing to protect below-ground rooms.
We cover all of Berkshire and neighbouring south Buckinghamshire, including Marlow, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. Towns we visit regularly include Maidenhead, Slough, Bracknell, Finchampstead, Reading, Ascot, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Berkshire
Our other specialist services for Berkshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Windsor & Eton and Reading.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Newbury & West Berkshire and Windsor & Eton.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Reading and Maidenhead.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Bracknell and Reading.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Windsor & Eton and Newbury & West Berkshire.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Reading and Maidenhead.
Client testimonials
We have used Tapco on various sites in central London over the last two years and they have provided a thoroughly professional and effective service. They are reliable, cost effective and they do what it says on the box! Rare indeed!
Live just outside Berkshire? 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.
