Poole · Dorset
Bowing wall repairs in Poole
Sighting along a wall at your Poole home and seeing a curve can be unsettling. Send us photos with a level held against it, and we will explain what is likely holding it, or not, and what the repair involves.
Guide price from£1,050per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BH14, BH15, BH17
- Population
- about 150,000
- Area
- Dorset
- Pricing region
- South West
How do local ground conditions affect bowing wall repairs in Poole?
Poole, Dorset: about 150,000 residents across postcode districts BH14, BH15, BH17. Neighbouring towns we cover: Bournemouth (5 miles), Wimborne Minster (5 miles) and Ferndown (7 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Dorset. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Dorset: Stone and brick villages, Victorian villas in Bournemouth, and inter-war and post-war semis.
What to look for before calling about bowing wall repairs
- Internal plaster cracks where a wall meets the ceiling
- Horizontal cracking at first-floor or ceiling level
- Window frames pulling away from the brickwork at the sides
Bowing wall repairs prices in Poole
Guide prices below are for homes in Poole, on South West rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| 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 |
How we usually approach bowing wall repairs
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 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.
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.
Questions about bowing wall repairs in Poole
How much should I budget for bowing wall repairs in Poole?
Guide prices for bowing wall repairs in Poole 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 Poole?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Poole, including BH14, BH15, BH17, and from nearby places such as Bournemouth and Wimborne Minster. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Dorset crack?
Dorset mixes chalk downs, Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays in the vales, and the sands and gravels of the Poole basin. Clay vales can shrink and swell, and parts of the coast are known for landslip. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
Do restraint ties show on the outside?
Some do and some do not. Certain ties leave a small round or square plate on the outside face, while others are fully recessed and pointed over. Straps fitted from inside leave no outside trace at all. We agree the finish with you before work starts.
Related work in Poole
- Chimney stack repairs
- Brick arch repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Wall tie replacement
Bowing wall repairs near Poole
Send photos of the bowing wall at your Poole property, including a level held against it, for a free initial assessment.