Cavity wall tie surveys, stainless steel replacement ties and structural crack stitching that stop movement and restore your brickwork. Covering Potters Bar & Borehamwood, Watford and Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead and across Hertfordshire.
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 Hertfordshire 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.
In south Hertfordshire, London Clay movement and corroding wall ties in interwar homes are both common causes of cracked walls. A survey identifies which is responsible.
Hertfordshire mixes historic market towns such as St Albans, Hitchin and Berkhamsted, with timber-framed and Georgian buildings, alongside large areas of Victorian, interwar and post-war commuter housing. Older timber-framed properties need careful, breathable repairs, while interwar homes often have corroding mild steel wall ties.
The south of the county sits on London Clay, which holds water and shrinks and swells, while the north and west are on chalk. River valleys such as the Colne, Gade and Lea bring higher water tables to nearby properties.
Interwar and post-war housing on London Clay, where seasonal ground movement and corroding wall ties lead to cracking.
Victorian terraces and interwar suburbs where bridged damp proof courses and condensation in converted homes are common.
Victorian and Edwardian homes alongside new-town housing, where rising damp and wall tie corrosion feature.
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 Hertfordshire 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 survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. We regularly work in Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree and Hatfield, and throughout Watford, St Albans, Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum and Welwyn Hatfield.
Towns and areas we cover in Hertfordshire
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.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire regularly, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Call us to check further afield.
Yes. Timber-framed properties in St Albans, Hitchin and the market towns need careful, breathable repairs, and we treat timber decay and woodworm without damaging historic fabric.
We survey properties in south and west Hertfordshire, including Watford, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Potters Bar. Towns we visit regularly include Abbots Langley, Watford, Bushey, Cheshunt, Elstree, Hatfield, North Mymms and Potters Bar. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Hertfordshire
Our other specialist services for Hertfordshire homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and St Albans.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around Hitchin & Hertford and Rickmansworth.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Watford and Welwyn & Hatfield.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around St Albans and Hitchin & Hertford.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Rickmansworth and Hitchin & Hertford.
Client testimonials
Tapco have just completed damp proofing my house and I can't fault the quality of their work and professionalism of their operatives. A great job from start to finish, I highly recommend them.
Live just outside Hertfordshire? We cover the neighbouring counties too.
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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.
