Pontefract · West Yorkshire
Brick arch repairs in Pontefract
A dropped keystone over a front door is a familiar sight on older streets, in Pontefract 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
- WF7, WF8, WF10
- Population
- about 45,000
- Area
- West Yorkshire
- Pricing region
- Yorkshire and the Humber
Why does the ground in West Yorkshire matter for brick arch repairs?
We cover Pontefract and its postcode districts WF7, WF8, WF10, part of West Yorkshire, with a population of roughly 45,000. If you are just outside Pontefract, we also cover Castleford (3 miles), Kippax (6 miles) and South Elmsall (7 miles).
Parts of West Yorkshire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. 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.
What to look for before calling about 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
- A vertical crack running up from the middle of the arch
Brick arch repairs prices in Pontefract
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 |
How we usually approach brick arch repairs
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
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
What happens during brick arch repairs, step by step?
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.
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.
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.
Questions about brick arch repairs in Pontefract
What is the price of brick arch repairs in Pontefract?
Guide prices for brick arch repairs in Pontefract 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 Pontefract?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Pontefract, including WF7, WF8, WF10, and from nearby places such as Castleford and Kippax. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Does the ground around Pontefract 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.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Pontefract
- Structural crack repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
Brick arch repairs near Pontefract
Request a written, no-obligation price for arch repairs in Pontefract; every arch is itemised, along with any work needed on the inside face.