Westhill · Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Brick arch repairs in Westhill
Before repairing a brick arch at a Westhill property, we check what sits behind it. A rotting timber lintel on the inner face is a frequent hidden cause, and fixing only the visible arch would leave the real problem in place.
Guide price from£380per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- AB32
- Population
- about 12,000
- Area
- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
- Pricing region
- Scotland
How do local ground conditions affect brick arch repairs in Westhill?
We cover Westhill and its postcode districts AB32, part of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, with a population of roughly 12,000. Nearby, we also cover Aberdeen (7 miles), Inverurie (10 miles) and Stonehaven (13 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire than in south-east England. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, most homes are granite tenements and terraces in Aberdeen, fishing-town cottages and post-war estates.
Signs you may need brick arch repairs
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
- A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
How much will brick arch repairs cost in Westhill?
Prices in Westhill are worked out on Scotland 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stitching and reinforcing a sound archest. | £380 – £1,150 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £855 – £1,250 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,700 – £2,450 | per opening |
Which repair method suits a home in Westhill?
Reinforcing a sound arch
Where the arch has only dropped slightly and the bricks are sound, stainless helical bars are bonded into the bed joints just above it, extending well into the wall on each side. The bars turn the courses above into a reinforced band of masonry, so the arch no longer has to carry the full load. Joints are repointed to match.
Best for: Slightly dropped or cracked arches with sound bricks
Rebuilding over a former
A timber former is cut to the arch profile and propped under the opening. The old arch is carefully taken down, bricks cleaned for reuse, and the arch rebuilt over the former with tight joints and a properly set keystone. The former stays until the mortar is strong enough to carry the load.
Best for: Badly dropped arches or ones with loose voussoirs
What happens when we carry out brick arch repairs in Westhill?
Look at the arch closely
Straight-on photos of the arch and the wall either side show us how far it has dropped, whether the bricks are sound and whether the cause seems to be the arch itself or the wall around it.
Choose reinforce or rebuild
We recommend reinforcement where the arch is sound and only slightly displaced, and a rebuild where it has dropped badly or bricks are loose. If the wall beside the opening is moving, that is dealt with first.
Support the opening
Props carry the brickwork above, and for a rebuild a former is made to the exact profile of the arch. The window or door frame is protected so it is not asked to carry any load.
Rules for brick arch repairs in Scotland
In Scotland, small repairs often do not need a building warrant, but structural alterations and strengthening generally do. Check with the council’s building standards service if unsure; there is no Party Wall Act in Scotland.
Brick arch repairs in Westhill: questions and answers
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Westhill?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Westhill start from about £380 per arch, including VAT, on Scotland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out brick arch repairs in Westhill?
Yes, Westhill is covered, along with postcode districts AB32. We also cover nearby Aberdeen and Inverurie.
Does the ground around Westhill cause cracking?
The north-east is mostly granite and other hard rock with glacial till and sands, so clay shrinkage is uncommon. Granite buildings, older lime mortars and coastal exposure shape most repairs. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Should a brick arch be repaired with lime mortar?
On older houses built with soft bricks and lime, yes, in most cases. Lime mortar lets the wall breathe and is weaker than the brick, so any movement or frost damage happens in the joints rather than the bricks. Modern hard brickwork can take a cement-based mortar.
Do flat brick arches need a lintel?
Many flat soldier arches were built with a hidden steel bar or timber behind, because they have little true arch action. When repairing one, we check what is supporting it and, where needed, reinforce it with bars or add suitable support behind.
More repairs we carry out in Westhill
- Crack stitching
- Structural crack repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
Brick arch repairs near Westhill
If bricks in an arch at your Westhill property are loose, photograph them from a safe distance and send them over for advice.