Carmarthen · Dyfed
Brick arch repairs in Carmarthen
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Carmarthen 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
- SA31
- Population
- about 16,000
- Area
- Dyfed
- Pricing region
- Wales
What is the ground like in Dyfed?
We cover Carmarthen and its postcode districts SA31, part of Dyfed, with a population of roughly 16,000. Nearby, we also cover Llanelli (13 miles), Ammanford (14 miles) and Gorseinon (17 miles).
Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Dyfed, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first. Parts of Dyfed lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Housing stock in Dyfed: Stone cottages, Victorian terraces in Llanelli and Carmarthen, and post-war estates.
Symptoms that point to brick arch repairs
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Carmarthen
The ranges below reflect typical Wales 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
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.
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 Wales
In Wales, small like-for-like repairs do not usually need approval, but work that alters or strengthens the structure needs building control under the Welsh Building Regulations, and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can apply to shared walls.
Frequently asked questions
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Carmarthen?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Carmarthen start from about £370 per arch, including VAT, on Wales 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 Carmarthen?
Yes, Carmarthen is covered, along with postcode districts SA31. We also cover nearby Llanelli and Ammanford.
Does the ground around Carmarthen cause cracking?
The western edge of the South Wales coalfield lies beneath Llanelli, Ammanford and parts of Pembrokeshire, while the rest of the area is older hard rock with glacial deposits in the valleys. 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 Carmarthen
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Concrete repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Underpinning
Brick arch repairs near Carmarthen
If bricks in an arch at your Carmarthen property are loose, photograph them from a safe distance and send them over for advice.