Magherafelt · County Londonderry
Brick arch repairs in Magherafelt
Before repairing a brick arch at a Magherafelt 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£350per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BT45
- Population
- about 9,000
- Area
- County Londonderry
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
Why does the ground in County Londonderry matter for brick arch repairs?
We cover Magherafelt and its postcode districts BT45, part of County Londonderry, with a population of roughly 9,000. Nearby, we also cover Cookstown (9 miles), Ballymena (15 miles) and Antrim (16 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in County Londonderry than in south-east England. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in County Londonderry: Georgian and Victorian houses in Derry, brick terraces and post-war estates.
Signs you may need brick arch repairs
- A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
How much will brick arch repairs cost in Magherafelt?
These are guide prices for Magherafelt, using Northern Ireland rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| 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 Magherafelt?
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 Magherafelt?
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 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 Magherafelt: questions and answers
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Magherafelt?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Magherafelt 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 carry out brick arch repairs in Magherafelt?
Yes, Magherafelt is covered, along with postcode districts BT45. We also cover nearby Cookstown and Ballymena.
Does the ground around Magherafelt cause cracking?
County Londonderry has basalt, older hard rock and glacial deposits, with soft river ground along the Foyle and Bann. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Magherafelt
- Wall tie replacement
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Subsidence repairs
Brick arch repairs near Magherafelt
Have several dropped arches along one Magherafelt elevation? We can price them together and suggest the order that makes sense.