Houghton-le-Spring · County Durham
Brick arch repairs in Houghton-le-Spring
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Houghton-le-Spring 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£370per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- DH4, SR3, SR4
- Population
- about 37,000
- Area
- County Durham
- Pricing region
- North East
Why does the ground in County Durham matter for brick arch repairs?
Houghton-le-Spring, County Durham: about 37,000 residents across postcode districts DH4, SR3, SR4. Nearby, we also cover Chester-le-Street (5 miles), Washington (5 miles) and Seaham (5 miles).
County Durham has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of County Durham, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in County Durham: Colliery terraces, stone and brick villas in Durham and Darlington, and post-war council estates.
From first photo to finished repair
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.
Symptoms that point to brick arch repairs
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Houghton-le-Spring
The ranges below reflect typical North East 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. | £370 – £1,100 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £830 – £1,200 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,650 – £2,400 | per opening |
Methods for 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
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
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Houghton-le-Spring?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Houghton-le-Spring start from about £370 per arch, including VAT, on North East 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 Houghton-le-Spring?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Houghton-le-Spring, including DH4, SR3, SR4, and from nearby places such as Chester-le-Street and Washington. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Does the ground around Houghton-le-Spring cause cracking?
Much of County Durham sits on the Durham Coalfield, worked for centuries, often under a cover of glacial clay. Many former pit villages have recorded mine workings, and coal mining searches are standard for property here. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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 Houghton-le-Spring
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Roof structure repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
Brick arch repairs near Houghton-le-Spring
Our guide-price tool covers arch reinforcement and rebuilds in Houghton-le-Spring; add a photo and we can say which applies to yours.