Uckfield · East Sussex
Brick arch repairs in Uckfield
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Uckfield 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£450per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- TN22
- Population
- about 18,000
- Area
- East Sussex
- Pricing region
- South East
How do local ground conditions affect brick arch repairs in Uckfield?
Uckfield, East Sussex: about 18,000 residents across postcode districts TN22. Nearby, we also cover Crowborough (7 miles), Lewes (8 miles) and Haywards Heath (9 miles).
Much of East Sussex sits on clay that shrinks in dry summers and swells in wet winters. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Housing stock in East Sussex: Regency and Victorian terraces on the coast, Wealden timber-framed houses, and inter-war bungalows and semis.
What happens during brick arch repairs, step by step?
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.
What to look for before calling about brick arch repairs
- A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
Brick arch repairs prices in Uckfield
Guide prices below are for homes in Uckfield, on South East rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Stitching and reinforcing a sound archest. | £450 – £1,350 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £1,000 – £1,450 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £2,000 – £2,900 | per opening |
How we usually approach brick arch repairs
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
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 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.
Questions about brick arch repairs in Uckfield
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Uckfield?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Uckfield start from about £450 per arch, including VAT, on South 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 Uckfield?
Yes, Uckfield is covered, along with postcode districts TN22. We also cover nearby Crowborough and Lewes.
Does the ground around Uckfield cause cracking?
Inland East Sussex is Weald Clay and Wealden sands, while the South Downs and the coast around Brighton and Eastbourne are chalk. The Weald Clay areas are prone to shrink-swell movement near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
What is a former in arch building?
A former, sometimes called a centre, is a temporary timber frame cut to the exact shape of the arch. It supports the bricks while the arch is laid and the mortar cures, and is removed once the arch can carry itself.
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 Uckfield
- Structural crack repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Wall tie replacement
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Brick arch repairs near Uckfield
Send a straight-on photo of the dropped or cracked arch at your Uckfield home, and we will offer a free view on whether it needs reinforcing or rebuilding.