Chippenham · Wiltshire
Bowing wall repairs in Chippenham
A slight lean is common on houses of a certain age in Chippenham, 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
- SN14, SN15
- Population
- about 36,000
- Area
- Wiltshire
- Pricing region
- South West
What should you know about the ground under Chippenham?
We cover Chippenham and its postcode districts SN14, SN15, part of Wiltshire, with a population of roughly 36,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Calne (5 miles), Melksham (6 miles) and Devizes (9 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Wiltshire. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Wiltshire, most homes are stone cottages, railway terraces in Swindon, and large post-war and new-build estates.
Signs you may need bowing wall repairs
- A visible belly in the wall when you sight along it
- Gaps opening between floorboards and the skirting on an outside wall
- Gutters or the roof edge no longer lining up with the wall
How much will bowing wall repairs cost in Chippenham?
Prices in Chippenham are worked out on South West 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 | £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 |
Which repair method suits a home in Chippenham?
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
Partial rebuild
A section that has bowed beyond safe limits, or where bricks have crushed, is propped, taken down and rebuilt plumb with restraint built in. It is the most disruptive option, so it is kept to the area that genuinely needs it.
Best for: Badly distorted sections that cannot be tied back
What happens when we carry out bowing wall repairs in Chippenham?
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.
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 Chippenham: questions and answers
How much should I budget for bowing wall repairs in Chippenham?
Guide prices for bowing wall repairs in Chippenham 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 Chippenham?
We do. Chippenham and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Calne and Melksham. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Wiltshire crack?
Southern Wiltshire is chalk, while the north around Swindon, Chippenham and Trowbridge sits on Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays that are prone to seasonal movement near trees. Bath stone was mined underground around Corsham. 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.
Related work in Chippenham
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Chimney stack repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
Bowing wall repairs near Chippenham
A no-obligation written quote for a bowing wall in Chippenham sets out the ties, the straps and any rebuild as separate items.