Workington · Cumbria
Brick arch repairs in Workington
Before repairing a brick arch at a Workington 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£385per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CA14
- Population
- about 21,000
- Area
- Cumbria
- Pricing region
- North West
Is Cumbria prone to ground movement?
Workington (CA14) has around 21,000 residents and sits in Cumbria. Neighbouring towns we cover: Whitehaven (7 miles).
Most of Cumbria is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Parts of Cumbria lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Housing stock in Cumbria: Stone-built terraces and farmhouses, sandstone town houses in Carlisle and post-war estates.
Is it time for brick arch repairs? Common signs
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
What should you budget for brick arch repairs in Workington?
Prices in Workington are worked out on North West 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. | £385 – £1,150 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £865 – £1,250 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,750 – £2,500 | per opening |
Repair options we may recommend
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
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
What to expect when we carry out brick arch repairs
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.
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 England
Like-for-like repairs such as crack stitching and repointing do not usually need building control approval in England, but anything that changes or strengthens the structure, such as underpinning or rebuilding a wall, does. If the work touches a party wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply.
Your brick arch repairs questions
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Workington?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Workington start from about £385 per arch, including VAT, on North West 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 Workington?
We do. Workington and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Whitehaven. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Workington cause cracking?
Cumbria's ground is largely hard rock and glacial deposits, with the West Cumberland coalfield around Whitehaven and Workington where historic coal workings are recorded. Stone walls and older lime mortars feature in much of the housing. 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.
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 Workington
Brick arch repairs near Workington
Once the brick and mortar match is agreed for your Workington arch, we put a fixed price in writing before any work is booked.