Devizes · Wiltshire
Bowing wall repairs in Devizes
When a wall at a Devizes 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£1,050per wall inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SN10
- Population
- about 17,000
- Area
- Wiltshire
- Pricing region
- South West
Why does the ground in Wiltshire matter for bowing wall repairs?
With roughly 17,000 people, Devizes spans postcode districts SN10 in Wiltshire. Neighbouring towns we cover: Calne (6 miles), Melksham (6 miles) and Chippenham (9 miles).
Parts of Wiltshire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. 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.
What to look for before calling about 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
Bowing wall repairs prices in Devizes
Guide prices below are for homes in Devizes, 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
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
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
What happens during bowing wall repairs, step by step?
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.
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 Devizes
What is the price of bowing wall repairs in Devizes?
Guide prices for bowing wall repairs in Devizes 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.
Do you carry out bowing wall repairs in Devizes?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Devizes, including SN10, and from nearby places such as Calne and Melksham. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Does the ground around Devizes cause cracking?
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.
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.
What is lateral restraint?
Lateral restraint is the connection that stops a wall moving sideways, provided by tying it to the floors and roof. Older houses often have little or none, especially where joists run parallel to the wall. Remedial ties and straps add that connection after the event.
More repairs we carry out in Devizes
Bowing wall repairs near Devizes
If a wall in Devizes began bowing after building work next door, dated photos help us suggest who should look at it first.