County Fermanagh · Northern Ireland
Brick arch repairs in County Fermanagh
Looking for brick arch repairs in County Fermanagh? Send us photos for a free initial view. Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in County Fermanagh, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first, so we look at the ground, drains and nearby trees before recommending anything.
Guide price from£350per arch inc VAT
- Area
- County Fermanagh
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Ground
- Mostly firmer ground
- Towns listed
- 2
Is County Fermanagh prone to ground movement?
Fermanagh has limestone, sandstone and glacial till around the lakes, with soft lakeshore ground in places.
Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across County Fermanagh, most homes are town houses in Enniskillen, rural cottages and post-war estates.
What happens during brick arch repairs, step by step?
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.
What to look for before calling about brick arch repairs
- A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
Brick arch repairs prices in County Fermanagh
The ranges below reflect typical Northern Ireland costs for brick arch repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| 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 |
How we usually approach brick arch repairs
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
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
Do you need approval 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.
Survey visits in parts of County Fermanagh are by arrangement because of travel and access. We can still give a free initial view from photos, and we tell you any travel cost before a visit is booked.
Towns in County Fermanagh we cover for brick arch repairs
Questions about brick arch repairs in County Fermanagh
Is the ground in County Fermanagh prone to subsidence?
Fermanagh has limestone, sandstone and glacial till around the lakes, with soft lakeshore ground in places. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will brick arch repairs cost in County Fermanagh?
On Northern Ireland rates, brick arch repairs starts from about £350 per arch, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
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.
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.
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.