Tiverton · Devon
Bowing wall repairs in Tiverton
A slight lean is common on houses of a certain age in Tiverton, and many have stood that way for generations. A growing bow, crushing bricks or a gap opening at the skirting is different, and is worth checking promptly.
Guide price from£1,050per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EX16
- Population
- about 22,000
- Area
- Devon
- Pricing region
- South West
Why does the ground in Devon matter for bowing wall repairs?
Tiverton (EX16) has around 22,000 residents and sits in Devon. We also take enquiries from nearby Exeter (12 miles), Taunton (19 miles) and Exmouth (20 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Devon than in south-east England. Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties. Typical buildings in Devon: Cob and stone cottages, Victorian terraces in Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, and post-war estates.
What should you budget for bowing wall repairs in Tiverton?
These are guide prices for Tiverton, using South West rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral restraint for a typical gable | £1,050 – £3,100 | per wall |
| Remedial restraint ties installed | £25 – £60 | per tie |
| Partial rebuild of a badly distorted sectionest. | £3,100 – £8,250 | per section |
Repair options we may recommend
Lateral restraint straps
Galvanised or stainless straps are fixed across three or more joists or rafters, turned down against the inside face of the wall and fixed into the masonry. They work well at ceiling and roof level, where the fixings stay hidden.
Best for: Gables and walls bowing near ceiling or roof level
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
What to expect when we carry out bowing wall repairs
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.
Decide restrain or rebuild
If the wall is badly out of plumb, has bricks crushing or follows removed internal walls, we recommend an engineer, and can arrange one. Their view sets whether restraint is enough or a section needs rebuilding.
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.
Is it time for bowing wall repairs? Common signs
- A visible belly in the wall when you sight along it
- Internal plaster cracks where a wall meets the ceiling
- Horizontal cracking at first-floor or ceiling level
Rules for bowing wall repairs in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Your bowing wall repairs questions
How much should I budget for bowing wall repairs in Tiverton?
Guide prices for bowing wall repairs in Tiverton start from about £1,050 per wall, including VAT, on South West rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Tiverton?
We do. Tiverton and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Exeter and Taunton. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Devon crack?
Devon's ground is mostly older mudstones, sandstones and granite, so shrinkable-clay subsidence is less widespread than further east. Older solid-walled and cob buildings, steep sites and retaining walls are the more common structural concerns. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Will I need to move out during bowing wall repairs?
Usually not. Restraint work means lifting some floorboards or a strip of ceiling along one wall, so a room or two is disrupted for a few days. A partial rebuild of an external wall can be more involved, and we will talk it through with you first.
How do I know if my wall is bowing?
Hold a long spirit level or a taut string against the wall and look for a gap in the middle. From inside, gaps between floorboards and skirting on an outside wall are a common clue. Photos showing the gap help us judge it before a visit.
Related work in Tiverton
- Chimney stack repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Underpinning
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Bowing wall repairs near Tiverton
A no-obligation written quote for a bowing wall in Tiverton sets out the ties, the straps and any rebuild as separate items.