Brick arch repairs in Sunderland

Postcodes: SR1, SR2, SR9
Population: about 170,000
Area: Tyne and Wear
Pricing region: North East

Why does the ground in Tyne and Wear matter for brick arch repairs?

With roughly 170,000 people, Sunderland spans postcode districts SR1, SR2, SR9 in Tyne and Wear. Nearby, we also cover Seaham (5 miles), Washington (5 miles) and Houghton-le-Spring (6 miles).

Clay soils are found in parts of Tyne and Wear. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Tyne and Wear, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in Tyne and Wear: Tyneside flats and terraces, Victorian villas, inter-war council estates and post-war semis.

What to expect when we carry out brick arch repairs

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.
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.

Is it time for brick arch repairs? Common signs

A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall

What should you budget for brick arch repairs in Sunderland?

These are guide prices for Sunderland, using North East rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.

Guide prices inc VAT on North East rates. Items marked est. are our estimates.
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

Repair options we may recommend

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 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

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.

Your brick arch repairs questions

How much will brick arch repairs cost in Sunderland?

Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Sunderland start from about £370 per arch, including VAT, on North East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.

Do you cover Sunderland?

Yes, Sunderland is covered, along with postcode districts SR1, SR2, SR9. We also cover nearby Seaham and Washington.

Is the ground in Tyne and Wear prone to subsidence?

Tyne and Wear lies on the Durham and Northumberland coalfield, with old shallow workings recorded beneath parts of Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland, mostly under a cover of glacial clay. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.

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.

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.

Other structural repairs in Sunderland

Brick arch repairs near Sunderland

Once the brick and mortar match is agreed for your Sunderland arch, we put a fixed price in writing before any work is booked.