Northampton · Northamptonshire
Brick arch repairs in Northampton
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Northampton 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£390per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- NN1, NN2, NN3, NN4, NN7
- Population
- about 250,000
- Area
- Northamptonshire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
What is the ground like in Northamptonshire?
Postcode districts NN1, NN2, NN3, NN4, NN7 cover Northampton, a Northamptonshire town of about 250,000 people. Nearby, we also cover Wellingborough (9 miles), Daventry (12 miles) and Rushden (12 miles).
Much of Northamptonshire sits on clay that shrinks in dry summers and swells in wet winters. Historic ironstone working has left disturbed ground in places. Housing stock in Northamptonshire: Ironstone and limestone cottages, Victorian terraces in Northampton and Kettering, and new-town estates in Corby.
What to look for before calling about brick arch repairs
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- A flat arch that has started to sag into a shallow curve
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
Brick arch repairs prices in Northampton
The ranges below reflect typical East Midlands costs for brick arch repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Stitching and reinforcing a sound archest. | £390 – £1,200 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £880 – £1,250 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,750 – £2,550 | per opening |
How we usually approach 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
What happens during brick arch repairs, step by step?
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.
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.
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.
Questions about brick arch repairs in Northampton
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Northampton?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Northampton start from about £390 per arch, including VAT, on East Midlands 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 Northampton?
Yes, Northampton is covered, along with postcode districts NN1, NN2, NN3, NN4. We also cover nearby Wellingborough and Daventry.
Does the ground around Northampton cause cracking?
Northamptonshire sits largely on Lias clay and Jurassic ironstones and limestones, with historic ironstone quarrying around Corby and Kettering. The clay vales are prone to shrinkage near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Why has the middle of my brick arch dropped?
The centre of an arch usually drops because the bricks have lost their wedge, either because the wall at the sides has moved or the mortar has worn away. A rotting timber hidden behind the arch is another common cause. The keystone slipping is the visible result.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Northampton
Brick arch repairs near Northampton
Have several dropped arches along one Northampton elevation? We can price them together and suggest the order that makes sense.