Lisburn · County Antrim
Brick arch repairs in Lisburn
Older Lisburn houses often carry their window and door heads on brick arches built without any steel at all. When the centre bricks slip, the arch either needs reinforcing in place or rebuilding over a timber former.
Guide price from£350per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BT17, BT27, BT28
- Population
- about 78,000
- Area
- County Antrim
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
How do local ground conditions affect brick arch repairs in Lisburn?
With roughly 78,000 people, Lisburn spans postcode districts BT17, BT27, BT28 in County Antrim. Neighbouring towns we cover: Belfast (7 miles), Newtownabbey (11 miles) and Craigavon (15 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in County Antrim than in south-east England. Historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of County Antrim in the past. Typical buildings in County Antrim: Red-brick terraces in Belfast, Victorian villas, and post-war and newer estates.
How much will brick arch repairs cost in Lisburn?
For Lisburn we use Northern Ireland 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. | £350 – £1,050 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £790 – £1,150 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,600 – £2,300 | per opening |
Which repair method suits a home in Lisburn?
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 both faces
Where the arch shows inside as well as outside, or a rotten timber behind it has also failed, both faces are rebuilt. The inner timber is replaced with a suitable lintel, and the outer arch is reformed in front. The two are worked in sequence so the wall is supported throughout.
Best for: Arches with a failed timber or inner face
What happens when we carry out brick arch repairs in Lisburn?
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.
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.
Signs you may need brick arch repairs
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
Rules for brick arch repairs in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, minor repairs usually need no approval, but structural work comes under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and council building control. There is no Party Wall Act in Northern Ireland.
Brick arch repairs in Lisburn: questions and answers
How much will brick arch repairs cost in Lisburn?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Lisburn start from about £350 per arch, including VAT, on Northern Ireland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Lisburn?
We do. Lisburn and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Belfast and Newtownabbey. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in County Antrim prone to subsidence?
County Antrim is largely basalt over chalk, with soft estuarine 'sleech' along Belfast Lough that is notorious for settlement. Historic salt mining is recorded near Carrickfergus. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
Can you match the original bricks?
Usually, because most arches are rebuilt with their own cleaned bricks, which is the best match of all. Damaged bricks are replaced with reclaimed or new bricks chosen for size, colour and texture, and the mortar is matched to the surrounding joints.
Other structural repairs in Lisburn
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Floor joist repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Underpinning
- Lintel replacement
Brick arch repairs near Lisburn
If bricks in an arch at your Lisburn property are loose, photograph them from a safe distance and send them over for advice.