Sure signs of cavity wall tie failure are when cracks or bulges start to appear in the brickwork of a structure, and if the wall ties weren’t installed correctly, or were missed out of certain sections of the wall, similar problems may also arise.
Below are 5 common indications that cavity wall ties have failed or been installed improperly, and if you spot any of these signs on your property, you should talk to a specialist wall tie surveyor at the earliest:
- Cracks that are horizontal
These cracks are caused when the corroded wall ties expand on the external leaf of the wall, and typically appear in the mortar, at a high level
- Brickwork that bulges
Helping to make a building unstable, brickwork that has begun to bulge is most commonly caused by wall ties that have snapped
- Cracks that appear internally
A lot rarer than other types of damage, internal cracks occur when rusty wall ties expand
- Cracked render
Vertical cracks may appear in the render
- Roofs edge lifting
When corroded wall ties expand and cause cracks to appear in the mortar, the outer leaf of the wall must then take the load of the roof as opposed to the inner leaf, which could cause the roof to be forced upwards, or the gable ridge to rise
When do you need a cavity wall tie survey?
If you’ve spotted any of the above problems in the structure of your home, it would be wise to schedule a survey of the building so that it can be determined whether wall ties are the problem (and need to be replaced), or whether something else is afoot.
What happens during a wall tie survey?
When you schedule a wall tie survey from a specialist surveyor, they will comprehensively assess the structure of your home in accordance with BRE Digest 401, which will help them to establish if there is an issue, and whether wall ties in need of replacement, are at the root of it.
The surveyor will use a variety of diagnostic tools to help them identify and study some of the wall ties in the property, such as equipment to detect metal and an endoscope. During the survey, they will identify any cracks present, or defects to the brickwork, and give you guidance as to what you can do to solve the problem. If cavity wall tie replacement is the only (or recommended option), then the specialist will advise you as to the cost of it, and if necessary, arrange for it to be carried out at the earliest in order to prevent any further damage from taking place.
What does cavity wall tie replacement involve?
While services may differ from one company to another, the following steps are typically carried out by the wall tie specialists:
- Holes are created with low impact drills in the relevant areas of brickwork to limit any damage to the masonry
- At the correct density and correct amount, new, non-corroding stainless steel wall ties will be installed. Your specialist surveyor will advise you on which wall ties are best for your type of property
- If not removed, the rusty wall ties are isolated to stop any further damage from occurring
- To restore your wall to its former glory, all drill holes are covered over seamlessly
Should any work be required to repair brickwork that is cracked or bulging, this will be undertaken after the replacement of the cavity wall ties.
When your cavity wall tie replacement is complete, it will likely be covered by a lengthy guarantee of up to twenty years.
If you think you may need a cavity wall tie inspection to address issues with you brickwork that may be threatening the stability of your home, get in touch with a qualified and experienced wall tie specialist, today.
