Hexham · Northumberland
Bowing wall repairs in Hexham
When a wall at a Hexham property starts to belly outward, the important question is whether it is still moving. We look at the shape, the floors and the roof, then recommend restraint, an engineer’s view or both.
Guide price from£920per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- NE46
- Population
- about 12,000
- Area
- Northumberland
- Pricing region
- North East
What should you know about the ground under Hexham?
We cover Hexham and its postcode districts NE46, part of Northumberland, with a population of roughly 12,000. Nearby, we also cover Consett (13 miles), Blaydon-on-Tyne (15 miles) and Whickham (17 miles).
Northumberland has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Parts of Northumberland lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Northumberland, most homes are colliery terraces, stone farmhouses and villages, and post-war estates.
Bowing wall repairs prices in Hexham
Guide prices below are for homes in Hexham, on North East 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 | £920 – £2,750 | per wall |
| Remedial restraint ties installed | £25 – £55 | per tie |
| Partial rebuild of a badly distorted sectionest. | £2,750 – £7,350 | 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.
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.
What to look for before calling about bowing wall repairs
- Gaps opening between floorboards and the skirting on an outside wall
- A visible belly in the wall when you sight along it
- Window frames pulling away from the brickwork at the sides
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 Hexham
What is the price of bowing wall repairs in Hexham?
Guide prices for bowing wall repairs in Hexham start from about £920 per wall, including VAT, on North East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out bowing wall repairs in Hexham?
We do. Hexham and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Consett and Blaydon-on-Tyne. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Hexham cause cracking?
South-east Northumberland around Blyth, Ashington and Cramlington lies on the Northumberland coalfield, worked extensively in the past, under a cover of glacial clay. The north and west are hard rock and moorland. 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.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Hexham
Bowing wall repairs near Hexham
Send photos of the bowing wall at your Hexham property, including a level held against it, for a free initial assessment.