Uppingham · Rutland
Brick arch repairs in Uppingham
Rebuilding an arch in Uppingham is a precise job: a former cut to the exact curve, tight joints and a keystone set at the right height. Done well, the new arch looks as though it was always there.
Guide price from£390per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LE15
- Population
- about 5,000
- Area
- Rutland
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
Is Rutland prone to ground movement?
Postcode districts LE15 cover Uppingham, a Rutland town of about 5,000 people. Neighbouring towns we cover: Oakham (6 miles), Corby (6 miles) and Stamford (11 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Rutland. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Housing stock in Rutland: Limestone and ironstone cottages and town houses, with post-war estates around Oakham and Uppingham.
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.
What to look for before calling about brick arch repairs
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
Brick arch repairs prices in Uppingham
For Uppingham we use East Midlands rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| 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
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 Uppingham
How much should I budget for brick arch repairs in Uppingham?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Uppingham 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.
Can you survey a property in Uppingham?
We do. Uppingham and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Oakham and Corby. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Rutland crack?
Rutland is Lias clay and Jurassic limestone and ironstone, with clay soils in the valleys that can move near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Should a brick arch be repaired with lime mortar?
On older houses built with soft bricks and lime, yes, in most cases. Lime mortar lets the wall breathe and is weaker than the brick, so any movement or frost damage happens in the joints rather than the bricks. Modern hard brickwork can take a cement-based mortar.
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.
Related work in Uppingham
- Retaining wall repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Roof structure repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
Brick arch repairs near Uppingham
Our guide-price tool covers arch reinforcement and rebuilds in Uppingham; add a photo and we can say which applies to yours.