Halifax · West Yorkshire
Brick arch repairs in Halifax
Rebuilding an arch in Halifax 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£380per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- HD6, HX1, HX2, HX3, HX4
- Population
- about 83,000
- Area
- West Yorkshire
- Pricing region
- Yorkshire and the Humber
Why does the ground in West Yorkshire matter for brick arch repairs?
We cover Halifax and its postcode districts HD6, HX1, HX2, HX3, HX4, part of West Yorkshire, with a population of roughly 83,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Elland (2 miles), Brighouse (3 miles) and Huddersfield (5 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of West Yorkshire. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of West Yorkshire, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. What you mostly find across West Yorkshire: stone back-to-backs and terraces, mill housing, Victorian villas and post-war estates.
Methods for brick arch repairs
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 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
From first photo to finished repair
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.
Symptoms that point to brick arch repairs
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
- Cracks stepping out from the arch ends into the wall
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Halifax
Prices in Halifax are worked out on Yorkshire and the Humber 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 |
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 Halifax?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Halifax start from about £380 per arch, including VAT, on Yorkshire and the Humber 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 Halifax?
We do. Halifax and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Elland and Brighouse. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in West Yorkshire crack?
West Yorkshire lies largely on the Coal Measures, with shallow historic workings around Leeds, Wakefield and Kirklees, and gritstone hills to the west. Steep sites mean retaining walls are common. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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.
Related work in Halifax
- Underpinning
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Crack stitching
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
Brick arch repairs near Halifax
Request a written, no-obligation price for arch repairs in Halifax; every arch is itemised, along with any work needed on the inside face.