Bearsden · Dunbartonshire
Brick arch repairs in Bearsden
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Bearsden and beyond, and it rarely fixes itself. We look at whether the arch bricks are sound and whether the wall either side has moved, then recommend the lighter repair where it will work.
Guide price from£380per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- G13, G15, G61
- Population
- about 28,000
- Area
- Dunbartonshire
- Pricing region
- Scotland
What is the ground like in Dunbartonshire?
With roughly 28,000 people, Bearsden spans postcode districts G13, G15, G61 in Dunbartonshire. If you are just outside Bearsden, we also cover Clydebank (3 miles), Renfrew (4 miles) and Bishopbriggs (4 miles).
Most of Dunbartonshire is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Parts of Dunbartonshire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Typical buildings in Dunbartonshire: Tenements, Victorian villas in Bearsden and Milngavie, and post-war estates.
From first photo to finished repair
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.
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.
Symptoms that point to brick arch repairs
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Bearsden
These are guide prices for Bearsden, using Scotland 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. | £380 – £1,150 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £855 – £1,250 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,700 – £2,450 | per opening |
Methods for brick arch repairs
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
Rules for brick arch repairs in Scotland
In Scotland, small repairs often do not need a building warrant, but structural alterations and strengthening generally do. Check with the council’s building standards service if unsure; there is no Party Wall Act in Scotland.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Bearsden?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Bearsden start from about £380 per arch, including VAT, on Scotland 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 Bearsden?
Yes, Bearsden is covered, along with postcode districts G13, G15, G61. We also cover nearby Clydebank and Renfrew.
Does the ground around Bearsden cause cracking?
Dunbartonshire has glacial till over sandstone and volcanic rock, with coal and ironstone workings recorded around Kirkintilloch and Bishopbriggs and soft river ground along the Clyde and Leven. 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.
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 Bearsden
Brick arch repairs near Bearsden
If bricks in an arch at your Bearsden property are loose, photograph them from a safe distance and send them over for advice.