Cracked Wall Repairs & Cavity Wall Tie Replacement
Cracks in brickwork or masonry should never be ignored. While some small cracks can occur naturally as buildings settle, larger or progressive cracks may indicate an underlying structural issue that requires professional investigation.
At Tapco HomeDry, we have over 55 years of experience diagnosing and repairing cracked walls, replacing failed cavity wall ties and carrying out structural masonry repairs across London and the Home Counties.
Our experienced surveyors identify the cause of the problem before recommending the most effective long-term repair solution.
Cracked Wall Repairs & Cavity Wall Tie Replacement
Cracks in brickwork or masonry should never be ignored. While some small cracks can occur naturally as buildings settle, larger or progressive cracks may indicate an underlying structural issue that requires professional investigation.
At Tapco HomeDry, we have over 55 years of experience diagnosing and repairing cracked walls, replacing failed cavity wall ties and carrying out structural masonry repairs across London and the Home Counties.
Our experienced surveyors identify the cause of the problem before recommending the most effective long-term repair solution.
What Causes Cracked Walls?
Although all buildings experience some natural movement, excessive movement places stress on masonry, often resulting in visible cracks in brickwork, render or mortar joints.
If your property has wide, expanding or stepped cracks, it’s important to seek professional advice as soon as possible to determine whether structural repairs are required.
There are several reasons why walls may crack, including:
Seasonal movement caused by changes in temperature and moisture
Foundation movement or subsidence
Corroded or failed cavity wall ties
Defective or inadequate lintels above doors and windows
Timber decay affecting structural supports
Poor construction or defective extensions
Poor construction or defective extensions
Water ingress and frost damage
What Causes Cracked Walls?
Although all buildings experience some natural movement, excessive movement places stress on masonry, often resulting in visible cracks in brickwork, render or mortar joints.
If your property has wide, expanding or stepped cracks, it’s important to seek professional advice as soon as possible to determine whether structural repairs are required.
There are several reasons why walls may crack, including:
Seasonal movement caused by changes in temperature and moisture
Foundation movement or subsidence
Corroded or failed cavity wall ties
Defective or inadequate lintels above doors and windows
Timber decay affecting structural supports
Poor construction or defective extensions
Water ingress and frost damage
What Is a Cavity Wall Tie?
Most modern properties are built with cavity walls, where the inner and outer walls are connected using metal wall ties.
These wall ties provide structural stability while maintaining the cavity between the walls.
Cavity walls also help with insulation, soundproofing and creates a physical barrier to help limit the risk of damp.
Over time, older mild steel wall ties can corrode. As the steel rusts, it expands, causing horizontal cracking in mortar joints and brickwork. Eventually the wall ties can fail completely, allowing the outer wall to bulge or become unstable.
Our experienced surveyors can inspect cavity wall ties using specialist drilling techniques and borescopes to assess their condition without unnecessary disruption.
What Is a Cavity Wall Tie?
Most modern properties are built with cavity walls, where the inner and outer walls are connected using metal wall ties. These wall ties provide structural stability while maintaining the cavity between the walls. Cavity walls also help with insulation, soundproofing and creates a physical barrier to help limit the risk of damp.
Over time, older mild steel wall ties can corrode. As the steel rusts, it expands, causing horizontal cracking in mortar joints and brickwork. Eventually the wall ties can fail completely, allowing the outer wall to bulge or become unstable.
Our experienced surveyors can inspect cavity wall ties using specialist drilling techniques and borescopes to assess their condition without unnecessary disruption.
Cavity Wall Tie Replacement
Where cavity wall ties have failed, Tapco HomeDry installs high-performance stainless steel replacement wall ties designed to provide long-term structural stability and comply with current building regulations.
Our cavity wall tie replacement service includes:
- Professional cavity wall tie surveys
- Borescope inspections
- Installation of stainless steel replacement wall ties
- Isolation of corroded existing wall ties where required
- Brickwork and mortar repairs following installation
By replacing failed wall ties before significant movement occurs, further structural damage can often be prevented.
Structural Brick Stitching & Masonry Repairs
Where cracking has already occurred, structural brick stitching provides an effective method of strengthening damaged masonry.
This process involves carefully raking out the mortar joints before installing high-tensile stainless steel helical bars, which are bonded into place using specialist resin.
The repaired area is then repointed to match the existing brickwork, creating a strong, discreet and long-lasting repair.
Our technique follows current building regulations, in terms of the recommended number and position of the wall ties and the Helical bars we use, all of which are high-tensile stainless steel that won’t corrode.
Cavity Wall Tie Replacement
Where cavity wall ties have failed, Tapco HomeDry installs high-performance stainless steel replacement wall ties designed to provide long-term structural stability and comply with current building regulations.
Our cavity wall tie replacement service includes:
- Professional cavity wall tie surveys
- Borescope inspections
- Installation of stainless steel replacement wall ties
- Isolation of corroded existing wall ties where required
- Brickwork and mortar repairs following installation
By replacing failed wall ties before significant movement occurs, further structural damage can often be prevented.
Structural Brick Stitching & Masonry Repairs
Where cracking has already occurred, structural brick stitching provides an effective method of strengthening damaged masonry.
This process involves carefully raking out the mortar joints before installing high-tensile stainless steel helical bars, which are bonded into place using specialist resin.
The repaired area is then repointed to match the existing brickwork, creating a strong, discreet and long-lasting repair.
Our technique follows current building regulations, in terms of the recommended number and position of the wall ties and the Helical bars we use, all of which are high-tensile stainless steel that won’t corrode.