Brick arch repairs in Maesteg

Postcodes: CF34
Population: about 21,000
Area: Mid Glamorgan
Pricing region: Wales

How do local ground conditions affect brick arch repairs in Maesteg?

Maesteg is in Mid Glamorgan and takes in postcode districts CF34. About 21,000 people live there. Neighbouring towns we cover: Neath (7 miles), Bridgend (8 miles) and Tonypandy (9 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. Typical buildings in Mid Glamorgan: Long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.

Is it time for brick arch repairs? Common signs

A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest

What should you budget for brick arch repairs in Maesteg?

Guide prices below are for homes in Maesteg, on Wales rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.

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

Repair options we may recommend

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 to expect when we carry out brick arch repairs

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.
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.

Your brick arch repairs questions

How much will brick arch repairs cost in Maesteg?

Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Maesteg 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 cover Maesteg?

Yes. We take enquiries from across Maesteg, including CF34, and from nearby places such as Neath and Bridgend. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.

Is the ground in Mid Glamorgan prone to subsidence?

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.

Other structural repairs in Maesteg

Brick arch repairs near Maesteg

If bricks in an arch at your Maesteg property are loose, photograph them from a safe distance and send them over for advice.