Tonypandy · Mid Glamorgan
Brick arch repairs in Tonypandy
Before repairing a brick arch at a Tonypandy 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
- CF40
- Population
- about 63,000
- Area
- Mid Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
What should you know about the ground under Tonypandy?
Postcode districts CF40 cover Tonypandy, a Mid Glamorgan town of about 63,000 people. Nearby, we also cover Rhondda (3 miles), Pontypridd (5 miles) and Mountain Ash (5 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. Across Mid Glamorgan, most homes are long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.
Which repair method suits a home in Tonypandy?
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
What happens when we carry out brick arch repairs in Tonypandy?
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.
Signs you may need brick arch repairs
- A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
How much will brick arch repairs cost in Tonypandy?
Prices in Tonypandy 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 |
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 Tonypandy: questions and answers
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Tonypandy?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Tonypandy 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 Tonypandy?
Yes, Tonypandy is covered, along with postcode districts CF40. We also cover nearby Rhondda and Pontypridd.
Does the ground around Tonypandy 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 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.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Tonypandy
- Concrete repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Crack stitching
Brick arch repairs near Tonypandy
Once the brick and mortar match is agreed for your Tonypandy arch, we put a fixed price in writing before any work is booked.