Burnley · Lancashire
Bowing wall repairs in Burnley
A slight lean is common on houses of a certain age in Burnley, 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£960per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BB10, BB11
- Population
- about 150,000
- Area
- Lancashire
- Pricing region
- North West
Is Lancashire prone to ground movement?
Postcode districts BB10, BB11 cover Burnley, a Lancashire town of about 150,000 people. Neighbouring towns we cover: Nelson (3 miles), Colne (5 miles) and Accrington (6 miles).
Lancashire has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Parts of Lancashire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Lancashire, most homes are stone and brick mill terraces, seaside villas in Blackpool and Lytham, and inter-war and post-war semis.
What happens when we carry out bowing wall repairs in Burnley?
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.
Close up and make good
Boards are relaid, plaster and outside fixings made good, and cracked joints repointed. You receive a record of the restraint positions, which helps if you sell or if an engineer needs to check the wall again later.
Signs you may need bowing wall repairs
- Gutters or the roof edge no longer lining up with the wall
- Horizontal cracking at first-floor or ceiling level
- Internal plaster cracks where a wall meets the ceiling
How much will bowing wall repairs cost in Burnley?
For Burnley we use North West rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral restraint for a typical gable | £960 – £2,900 | per wall |
| Remedial restraint ties installed | £25 – £60 | per tie |
| Partial rebuild of a badly distorted sectionest. | £2,900 – £7,700 | per section |
Which repair method suits a home in Burnley?
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
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.
Bowing wall repairs in Burnley: questions and answers
How much should I budget for bowing wall repairs in Burnley?
Guide prices for bowing wall repairs in Burnley start from about £960 per wall, including VAT, on North 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 Burnley?
We do. Burnley and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Nelson and Colne. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Lancashire crack?
Lancashire is mostly glacial till over sandstone and mudstone, with the Burnley and Accrington coalfield in the east and soft coastal and estuarine ground on the Fylde. Old mill and mine sites leave made ground in many towns. 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.
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.
Related work in Burnley
- Retaining wall repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
Bowing wall repairs near Burnley
Our guide-price tool covers restraint work in Burnley; add a few photos and we can say whether ties alone are likely to be enough.