Sudbury · Suffolk
Brick arch repairs in Sudbury
Rebuilding an arch in Sudbury 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£420per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CO10
- Population
- about 24,000
- Area
- Suffolk
- Pricing region
- East of England
Why does the ground in Suffolk matter for brick arch repairs?
Sudbury (CO10) has around 24,000 residents and sits in Suffolk. Nearby, we also cover Colchester (13 miles), Haverhill (13 miles) and Braintree (13 miles).
Suffolk is one of the parts of the UK where clay soils are most likely to move with the seasons. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Suffolk: Timber-framed and flint cottages, Victorian terraces in Ipswich and Lowestoft, and post-war estates.
Methods for 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
Lime mortar repairs
On older houses built in soft brick and lime, the arch is rebuilt or repointed in a lime mortar matched to the original. Lime lets moisture escape and moves slightly with the wall, so it protects the bricks rather than forcing damage into them, as hard cement mortar can.
Best for: Pre-1919 houses and soft historic brick
From first photo to finished repair
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.
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.
Symptoms that point to brick arch repairs
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Sudbury
For Sudbury we use East of England 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. | £420 – £1,250 | per arch |
| Rebuilding an arch (one side) | £945 – £1,350 | per opening |
| Rebuilding an arch (both sides) | £1,900 – £2,750 | per opening |
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.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for brick arch repairs in Sudbury?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Sudbury start from about £420 per arch, including VAT, on East of England 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 Sudbury?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Sudbury, including CO10, and from nearby places such as Colchester and Haverhill. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Suffolk crack?
Much of Suffolk is chalky boulder clay, with London Clay around Ipswich and Felixstowe and sandier ground in the Breckland and on the coast. The clay areas are prone to seasonal shrinkage near trees. 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.
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.
Related work in Sudbury
- Structural crack repairs
- Underpinning
- Crack stitching
- Retaining wall repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
Brick arch repairs near Sudbury
Request a written, no-obligation price for arch repairs in Sudbury; every arch is itemised, along with any work needed on the inside face.