Caerphilly · Mid Glamorgan
Brick arch repairs in Caerphilly
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Caerphilly 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
- CF83
- Population
- about 31,000
- Area
- Mid Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
Why does the ground in Mid Glamorgan matter for brick arch repairs?
Postcode districts CF83 cover Caerphilly, a Mid Glamorgan town of about 31,000 people. Nearby places we cover include Risca (6 miles), Pontypridd (6 miles) and Nelson (6 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Mid Glamorgan. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Mid Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Across Mid Glamorgan, most homes are long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.
Symptoms that point to brick arch repairs
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Caerphilly
Prices in Caerphilly are worked out on Wales 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.
| 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 |
Methods for brick arch repairs
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
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
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.
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.
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 Caerphilly?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Caerphilly 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 Caerphilly?
We do. Caerphilly and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Risca and Pontypridd. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Caerphilly 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.
Can you match the original bricks?
Usually, because most arches are rebuilt with their own cleaned bricks, which is the best match of all. Damaged bricks are replaced with reclaimed or new bricks chosen for size, colour and texture, and the mortar is matched to the surrounding joints.
More repairs we carry out in Caerphilly
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Concrete repairs
- Roof structure repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Underpinning
Brick arch repairs near Caerphilly
If bricks in an arch at your Caerphilly property are loose, photograph them from a safe distance and send them over for advice.