Wickford · Essex
Brick arch repairs in Wickford
Rebuilding an arch in Wickford is a precise job: a former cut to the exact curve, tight joints and a keystone set at the right height. Done well, the new arch looks as though it was always there.
Guide price from£420per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SS11, SS12
- Population
- about 28,000
- Area
- Essex
- Pricing region
- East of England
Is Essex prone to ground movement?
Wickford is in Essex and takes in postcode districts SS11, SS12. About 28,000 people live there. Neighbouring towns we cover: Rayleigh (4 miles), Basildon (4 miles) and Benfleet (4 miles).
Shrinkable clay is widespread in Essex. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Essex: Victorian terraces, 1930s semis and bungalows, and large post-war new-town estates in Basildon and Harlow.
What to look for before calling about brick arch repairs
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
Brick arch repairs prices in Wickford
These are guide prices for Wickford, using East of England 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. | £420 – £1,250 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £945 – £1,350 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,900 – £2,750 | 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
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
What happens during brick arch repairs, step by step?
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.
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 Wickford
How much should I budget for brick arch repairs in Wickford?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Wickford start from about £420 per arch, including VAT, on East of England rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Wickford?
Yes, Wickford is covered, along with postcode districts SS11, SS12. We also cover nearby Rayleigh and Basildon.
Why do houses in Essex crack?
London Clay covers much of south and central Essex and boulder clay much of the north, making it one of the counties most affected by clay shrinkage in dry summers. Street and garden trees close to houses add to the risk. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can a dropped arch be repaired without rebuilding it?
Yes, if the drop is small and the brickwork is in good condition. Bars bonded into the joints above can take the load off the arch and hold it in place. If the bricks are loose or the arch has dropped badly, rebuilding is the more reliable repair.
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.
Related work in Wickford
- Underpinning
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Lintel replacement
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Brick arch repairs near Wickford
Send a straight-on photo of the dropped or cracked arch at your Wickford home, and we will offer a free view on whether it needs reinforcing or rebuilding.