Antrim · County Antrim
Bowing wall repairs in Antrim
Restraint ties and straps are the usual fix for a bowing wall in Antrim, tying the masonry back into the joists or rafters. Where joists run alongside the wall, we add blocking first so the ties have something solid to grip.
Guide price from£880per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BT41
- Population
- about 20,000
- Area
- County Antrim
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
What is the ground like in County Antrim?
Antrim, County Antrim: about 20,000 residents across postcode districts BT41. Nearby, we also cover Ballymena (10 miles), Newtownabbey (13 miles) and Belfast (14 miles).
Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in County Antrim, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first. Historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of County Antrim in the past. What you mostly find across County Antrim: red-brick terraces in Belfast, Victorian villas, and post-war and newer estates.
How we usually approach bowing wall repairs
Stitching a delaminating wall
Where the layers of a solid wall have separated, long stainless ties are drilled in from the face and bonded into the inner layer to bind the wall together again. This is often combined with restraint ties, so the wall is both reconnected through its thickness and tied back to the structure.
Best for: Solid walls where the outer layer has pulled away
Restraint ties into the floor
Stainless restraint ties are drilled through the wall and fixed into the floor joists or into blocking between them. Where joists run parallel, noggins are fitted across several joists so the tie has something solid to hold. A neat plate or a buried fixing is left on the outside face.
Best for: Walls bowing at floor level where joists run alongside
What happens during bowing wall repairs, step by step?
Assess the bow
We look at where the wall bows, how far it is out of plumb and how the floors and roof meet it. Photographs from your phone held flat against the wall often show the shape clearly before anyone visits.
Open up inside
Floorboards or a ceiling strip are lifted along the affected wall to expose the joists. We fit noggins where joists run alongside, and plan furniture moves with you, since this is the most disruptive part of the job.
Fit the ties and straps
Ties are drilled through and fixed, or straps fitted and secured, at the spacing specified. Any rebuild is carried out at this stage, with temporary propping in place until the new brickwork has gained strength.
What to look for before calling about bowing wall repairs
- Gutters or the roof edge no longer lining up with the wall
- Window frames pulling away from the brickwork at the sides
- Internal plaster cracks where a wall meets the ceiling
Bowing wall repairs prices in Antrim
Prices in Antrim are worked out on Northern Ireland rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral restraint for a typical gable | £880 – £2,650 | per wall |
| Remedial restraint ties installed | £20 – £55 | per tie |
| Partial rebuild of a badly distorted sectionest. | £2,650 – £7,050 | per section |
Rules for bowing wall repairs in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 apply and the council’s building control service approves structural work such as underpinning; minor like-for-like repairs usually need no approval. The Party Wall Act does not apply in Northern Ireland, so work to shared walls depends on deeds and agreement with neighbours.
Questions about bowing wall repairs in Antrim
How much will bowing wall repairs cost in Antrim?
Guide prices for bowing wall repairs in Antrim start from about £880 per wall, including VAT, on Northern Ireland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Antrim?
Yes, Antrim is covered, along with postcode districts BT41. We also cover nearby Ballymena and Newtownabbey.
Is the ground in County Antrim prone to subsidence?
County Antrim is largely basalt over chalk, with soft estuarine 'sleech' along Belfast Lough that is notorious for settlement. Historic salt mining is recorded near Carrickfergus. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can a bowing wall be pushed back straight?
Usually not. Masonry rarely returns to plumb without cracking, so the normal aim is to stop further movement and leave the wall where it is. If the bow is too great to accept, that section is rebuilt rather than forced back.
Is a bowing wall dangerous?
A bowing wall is not always dangerous, but it should never be ignored. Many have been slightly out of line for decades. A bow that is growing, crushing bricks or appeared after building work is more serious, and an engineer should look at it promptly. Your engineer will confirm.
Other structural repairs in Antrim
- Crack stitching
- Gable end wall repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Bowing wall repairs near Antrim
If an engineer has already drawn a restraint design for your Antrim home, we will price the scheme exactly as specified, tie by tie.