Chepstow · Gwent
Brick arch repairs in Chepstow
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Chepstow 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
- NP16
- Population
- about 12,000
- Area
- Gwent
- Pricing region
- Wales
Why does the ground in Gwent matter for brick arch repairs?
Chepstow, Gwent: about 12,000 residents across postcode districts NP16. Neighbouring towns we cover: Monmouth (12 miles), Newport (14 miles) and Cwmbran (15 miles).
Gwent has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Gwent, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. What you mostly find across Gwent: valley terraces on steep hillsides, Victorian houses in Newport and Abergavenny, and post-war estates.
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
From first photo to finished repair
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.
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
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Chepstow
These are guide prices for Chepstow, using Wales 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. | £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 |
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 Chepstow?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Chepstow 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 Chepstow?
Yes, Chepstow is covered, along with postcode districts NP16. We also cover nearby Monmouth and Newport.
Does the ground around Chepstow cause cracking?
The valleys of Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Islwyn lie on the South Wales coalfield with extensive historic workings and spoil tips, while Newport and Monmouthshire have Mercia Mudstone, alluvium and Old Red Sandstone. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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 Chepstow
- Gable end wall repairs
- Concrete repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Underpinning
Brick arch repairs near Chepstow
Request a written, no-obligation price for arch repairs in Chepstow; every arch is itemised, along with any work needed on the inside face.