Bridgend · Mid Glamorgan
Brick arch repairs in Bridgend
Before repairing a brick arch at a Bridgend property, we check what sits behind it. A rotting timber lintel on the inner face is a frequent hidden cause, and fixing only the visible arch would leave the real problem in place.
Guide price from£370per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CF31, CF35
- Population
- about 50,000
- Area
- Mid Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
How do local ground conditions affect brick arch repairs in Bridgend?
We cover Bridgend and its postcode districts CF31, CF35, part of Mid Glamorgan, with a population of roughly 50,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Porthcawl (6 miles), Llantwit Major (8 miles) and Maesteg (8 miles).
Parts of Mid Glamorgan have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Mid Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. What you mostly find across Mid Glamorgan: long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.
What happens when we carry out brick arch repairs in Bridgend?
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.
Signs you may need brick arch repairs
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
- A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
How much will brick arch repairs cost in Bridgend?
These are guide prices for Bridgend, 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 |
Which repair method suits a home in Bridgend?
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
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.
Brick arch repairs in Bridgend: questions and answers
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Bridgend?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Bridgend 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 Bridgend?
We do. Bridgend and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Porthcawl and Llantwit Major. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Bridgend cause cracking?
Mid Glamorgan lies on the South Wales coalfield, with dense historic workings, spoil tips and steep valley sides. Landslip, retaining walls and mining legacy are all live issues in the valleys. 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.
More repairs we carry out in Bridgend
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Bowing wall repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Structural crack repairs
Brick arch repairs near Bridgend
Have several dropped arches along one Bridgend elevation? We can price them together and suggest the order that makes sense.