Cavity wall tie surveys, stainless steel replacement ties and structural crack stitching that stop movement and restore your brickwork. Covering Dartford & Gravesend, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone and across Kent.
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 Kent 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.
Clay soils across much of Kent shrink and swell with the seasons, which can crack masonry, while older cavity walls suffer from corroding ties. We diagnose which is responsible before recommending crack stitching, tie replacement or both.
Kent's character comes from its oast houses, weatherboarded and tile-hung cottages, Kentish ragstone churches and farmhouses, alongside Victorian terraces in the Medway towns and handsome Regency and Victorian villas in Tunbridge Wells. Older buildings built with ragstone, soft brick and lime mortar need breathable repairs to avoid trapping moisture.
North Kent sits largely on chalk and London Clay, while the Weald in the south is clay that holds water. Low-lying areas along the Medway and Thames estuary have high water tables, and clay soils that shrink and swell can contribute to cracking in masonry.
Interwar and post-war housing on chalk and clay, where wall tie corrosion and condensation in flats are common.
Regency and Victorian villas and terraces, where ageing damp proof courses and penetrating damp in stuccoed walls are frequent findings.
Victorian terraces and interwar homes along the Medway, where flooding and high groundwater affect cellars and ground floors.
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 Kent 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 cover west and mid Kent regularly, including Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and the Medway towns. We regularly work in Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Dartford, Cowden and East Malling, and throughout Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & Malling, Maidstone, Dartford and Gravesham.
Towns and areas we cover in Kent
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. We have treated oast houses, weatherboarded cottages and ragstone farmhouses across Kent, including an oast house in Hollingbourne, using methods that suit traditional construction.
We cover west and mid Kent regularly, including Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Maidstone, Dartford and the Medway towns. Call us to check further afield.
Our surveyors cover west and mid Kent regularly, including Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and the Medway towns. Towns we visit regularly include Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Dartford, Cowden, East Malling, Gravesend and Halstead. If yours isn't listed, give us a call and we'll confirm.
Also in Kent
Our other specialist services for Kent homes, landlords and businesses.
Rising damp, penetrating damp and damp proof courses. Most common around Maidstone and the Medway towns.
Dry rot, wet rot and woodworm. Most common around Sevenoaks and the Kent countryside.
Basement damp proofing, tanking and conversions. Most common around the Medway towns and Maidstone.
Black mould, streaming windows and ventilation. Most common around Dartford & Gravesend and the Medway towns.
Pre-purchase and mortgage surveys. Especially worthwhile for older homes around Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells.
Leaks, floods and burst pipes. Most common around Maidstone and Tonbridge.
Client testimonials
Our living room and hall was badly damaged by a leaking pipe from the flat above. Not only did they do an excellent job repairing it but they dealt with my insurance company who paid me in full. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Live just outside Kent? 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.
