Ossett · West Yorkshire
Brick arch repairs in Ossett
Before repairing a brick arch at a Ossett property, we check what sits behind it. A rotting timber lintel on the inner face is a frequent hidden cause, and fixing only the visible arch would leave the real problem in place.
Guide price from£380per arch inc VAT
- Postcodes
- WF5, WF12, WF13
- Population
- about 22,000
- Area
- West Yorkshire
- Pricing region
- Yorkshire and the Humber
Why does the ground in West Yorkshire matter for brick arch repairs?
We cover Ossett and its postcode districts WF5, WF12, WF13, part of West Yorkshire, with a population of roughly 22,000. We also take enquiries from nearby Dewsbury (2 miles), Wakefield (3 miles) and Morley (4 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. Housing stock in West Yorkshire: Stone back-to-backs and terraces, mill housing, Victorian villas and post-war estates.
Which repair method suits a home in Ossett?
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
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
What happens when we carry out brick arch repairs in Ossett?
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.
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.
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.
Signs you may need brick arch repairs
- Gaps opening between arch bricks at the top or bottom edge
- The centre bricks of an arch sitting lower than the rest
- Mortar falling out of the arch joints after frosty weather
How much will brick arch repairs cost in Ossett?
The ranges below reflect typical Yorkshire and the Humber costs for brick arch repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| 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.
Brick arch repairs in Ossett: questions and answers
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Ossett?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Ossett 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.
Do you carry out brick arch repairs in Ossett?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Ossett, including WF5, WF12, WF13, and from nearby places such as Dewsbury and Wakefield. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Does the ground around Ossett cause cracking?
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.
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.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Ossett
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Chimney stack repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Lintel replacement
- Roof structure repairs
Brick arch repairs near Ossett
Our guide-price tool covers arch reinforcement and rebuilds in Ossett; add a photo and we can say which applies to yours.