Falkirk · Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire
Brick arch repairs in Falkirk
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Falkirk 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£380per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- FK1, FK2, FK5
- Population
- about 35,000
- Area
- Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire
- Pricing region
- Scotland
What is the ground like in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire?
Falkirk (FK1, FK2, FK5) has around 35,000 residents and sits in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire. If you are just outside Falkirk, we also cover Grangemouth (3 miles), Bo'ness (7 miles) and Linlithgow (7 miles).
Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire: Stone tenements and villas, miners' rows and post-war estates.
What to look for before calling about brick arch repairs
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
Brick arch repairs prices in Falkirk
Prices in Falkirk are worked out on Scotland 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. | £380 – £1,150 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £855 – £1,250 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,700 – £2,450 | per opening |
How we usually approach brick arch repairs
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
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
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 Scotland
In Scotland, small repairs often do not need a building warrant, but structural alterations and strengthening generally do. Check with the council’s building standards service if unsure; there is no Party Wall Act in Scotland.
Questions about brick arch repairs in Falkirk
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Falkirk?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Falkirk start from about £380 per arch, including VAT, on Scotland 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 Falkirk?
We do. Falkirk and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Grangemouth and Bo'ness. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Falkirk cause cracking?
The Forth valley has soft carse clays near the river, which can settle, and coalfields beneath Falkirk, Clackmannanshire and the south of Stirling with recorded historic workings. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Do flat brick arches need a lintel?
Many flat soldier arches were built with a hidden steel bar or timber behind, because they have little true arch action. When repairing one, we check what is supporting it and, where needed, reinforce it with bars or add suitable support behind.
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 Falkirk
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Concrete repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Roof structure repairs
Brick arch repairs near Falkirk
Have several dropped arches along one Falkirk elevation? We can price them together and suggest the order that makes sense.