Brick arch repairs in Hedge End

Postcodes: SO30
Population: about 18,000
Area: Hampshire
Pricing region: South East

How do local ground conditions affect brick arch repairs in Hedge End?

We cover Hedge End and its postcode districts SO30, part of Hampshire, with a population of roughly 18,000. Nearby, we also cover Eastleigh (4 miles), Southampton (5 miles) and Hythe (6 miles).

Much of Hampshire 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 Hampshire: Victorian terraces in Portsmouth and Southampton, 1930s semis, and large post-war and new-build estates.

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.
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

Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge

Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Hedge End

Prices in Hedge End are worked out on South East rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.

Guide prices inc VAT on South East rates. Items marked est. are our estimates.
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

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 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

How much will brick arch repairs cost in Hedge End?

Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Hedge End 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 cover Hedge End?

We do. Hedge End and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Eastleigh and Southampton. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.

Is the ground in Hampshire prone to subsidence?

Central Hampshire is chalk, while the south around Portsmouth, Southampton and the New Forest fringe and the north-east around Farnborough sit on London Clay, Reading Beds and other clays and sands. The clay areas see seasonal 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.

Other structural repairs in Hedge End

Brick arch repairs near Hedge End

Send a straight-on photo of the dropped or cracked arch at your Hedge End home, and we will offer a free view on whether it needs reinforcing or rebuilding.