Colwyn Bay · Clwyd
Brick arch repairs in Colwyn Bay
Before repairing a brick arch at a Colwyn Bay 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£370per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LL28, LL29
- Population
- about 29,000
- Area
- Clwyd
- Pricing region
- Wales
How do local ground conditions affect brick arch repairs in Colwyn Bay?
We cover Colwyn Bay and its postcode districts LL28, LL29, part of Clwyd, with a population of roughly 29,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Llandudno (5 miles), Abergele (6 miles) and Rhyl (10 miles).
Clwyd has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Parts of Clwyd lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Clwyd, most homes are brick colliery terraces, seaside villas in Rhyl and Colwyn Bay, and post-war estates.
Is it time for brick arch repairs? Common signs
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
What should you budget for brick arch repairs in Colwyn Bay?
For Colwyn Bay we use Wales 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Stitching and reinforcing a sound archest. | £370 – £1,100 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £830 – £1,200 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,650 – £2,400 | per opening |
Repair options we may recommend
Lime mortar repairs
On older houses built in soft brick and lime, the arch is rebuilt or repointed in a lime mortar matched to the original. Lime lets moisture escape and moves slightly with the wall, so it protects the bricks rather than forcing damage into them, as hard cement mortar can.
Best for: Pre-1919 houses and soft historic brick
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
What to expect when we carry out brick arch repairs
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.
Repair the arch
Bars are bonded into the joints above a sound arch, or the arch is taken down and relaid over the former using the original bricks where possible, with matched replacements for any that are damaged.
Strike the former and point
Once the mortar has cured enough, the former and props are removed. Joints are finished to match the surrounding wall, and any cracks running from the arch into the wall are repaired at the same visit.
Rules for brick arch repairs in Wales
In Wales, small like-for-like repairs do not usually need approval, but work that alters or strengthens the structure needs building control under the Welsh Building Regulations, and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can apply to shared walls.
Your brick arch repairs questions
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Colwyn Bay?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Colwyn Bay start from about £370 per arch, including VAT, on Wales 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 Colwyn Bay?
We do. Colwyn Bay and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Llandudno and Abergele. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Colwyn Bay cause cracking?
The North Wales coalfield runs beneath parts of Wrexham and Flintshire, where historic workings are recorded, while the coast and vale have glacial clays and the hills are older hard rock. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Why has the middle of my brick arch dropped?
The centre of an arch usually drops because the bricks have lost their wedge, either because the wall at the sides has moved or the mortar has worn away. A rotting timber hidden behind the arch is another common cause. The keystone slipping is the visible result.
Is a dropped brick arch dangerous?
A slightly dropped arch is not usually an immediate danger, but it is no longer carrying load as it should and tends to worsen. Loose bricks that could fall, or a fast-growing crack above, need prompt attention. Do not rely on the window frame to hold it.
More repairs we carry out in Colwyn Bay
Brick arch repairs near Colwyn Bay
Once the brick and mortar match is agreed for your Colwyn Bay arch, we put a fixed price in writing before any work is booked.