Cheshire · England
Concrete repairs in Cheshire
If you live in Cheshire and are looking at concrete repairs, the first question is why the wall moved. Cheshire has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others; historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of Cheshire in the past.
Guide price from£80per m² inc VAT
- Area
- Cheshire
- Pricing region
- North West
- Ground
- Clay in parts
- Towns listed
- 13
What is the ground like in Cheshire?
Most of Cheshire is glacial till over Mercia Mudstone. Around Northwich and the Weaver valley, historic salt and brine extraction has caused subsidence in the past, and a separate brine subsidence compensation scheme exists for parts of the county.
Historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of Cheshire in the past. Housing stock in Cheshire: Brick terraces in Crewe, Northwich and Warrington, Victorian villas in Chester, and inter-war and post-war semis.
Concrete repairs prices in Cheshire
For Cheshire we use North West 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete patch repair | £80 – £175 | per m² |
| Crack injection | £175 – £460 | per metre |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £430 – £865 | per visit |
How we usually approach concrete repairs
Protective coatings and sealing
After repair, an anti-carbonation coating, a waterproof deck membrane on a balcony, or a penetrating sealer slows the return of moisture and carbon dioxide. Restoring drips, upstands and falls so water drains away is as important as the coating itself.
Best for: Extending the life of repaired balconies and canopies
Recasting or strengthening
Where steel has lost much of its section, or a lintel or canopy is too far gone to patch, the element is propped and rebuilt, replaced or strengthened to an engineer’s design. It is less common, but sometimes the more lasting option for small canopies and old precast lintels.
Best for: Badly corroded lintels, canopies and balcony edges
Patch repair
Loose and contaminated concrete is broken out behind the bar, the steel is cleaned of rust and primed, and the section is rebuilt with a repair mortar. The edges are cut square so the patch does not feather out and fail. A protective coating may be applied over the whole surface afterwards.
Best for: Localised spalling around rusting bars
What happens during concrete repairs, step by step?
Survey and tapping test
On site we tap the surface to find hollow areas, check the steel where it is exposed and note drainage. Where the extent is unclear, a cover meter, carbonation test or chloride test may be advised before repair.
Engineer where needed
If the steel has lost significant section, or the element carries a balcony, stair or wall, an independent chartered structural engineer is appointed to assess and specify. We can arrange this, and the repair follows their scope.
Written quote
You receive a no-obligation written quote setting out the estimated area of patching, the length of crack injection, coatings and access. It becomes a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified, with any re-measure terms stated clearly.
What to look for before calling about concrete repairs
- Rust-coloured stains or streaks running down the concrete surface
- Hollow sound when the surface is tapped with a hammer
- Fine cracks running in straight lines along the line of the reinforcement
- Damp patches, white deposits or drips on a balcony or canopy underside
Do you need approval for concrete 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.
Concrete repairs near you in Cheshire
- Warrington
- Chester
- Crewe
- Ellesmere Port
- Widnes
- Macclesfield
- Northwich
- Winsford
- Congleton
- Wilmslow
- Sandbach
- Nantwich
- Neston
Questions about concrete repairs in Cheshire
Does the ground around Warrington cause cracking?
Most of Cheshire is glacial till over Mercia Mudstone. Around Northwich and the Weaver valley, historic salt and brine extraction has caused subsidence in the past, and a separate brine subsidence compensation scheme exists for parts of the county. Historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of Cheshire in the past. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will concrete repairs cost in Cheshire?
On North West rates, concrete repairs starts from about £80 per m², including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
Can a concrete balcony be repaired rather than replaced?
In most cases, yes. Patch repairs, crack injection, a new waterproof deck and restored drips usually extend a balcony’s life considerably. Replacement is generally only needed where the steel has lost a lot of section or the balcony’s fixing to the building is compromised.
Can you repair a cracked concrete lintel?
Often, yes. Spalling and small cracks in a concrete lintel can be patch repaired and the steel treated. If the lintel is badly cracked, sagging or the bars have lost much of their section, replacement is usually better, and the opening is propped while it is done.
Is spalling concrete dangerous?
It can be, mainly because pieces may fall from balconies, canopies and soffits above doors or paths. It also means the steel is losing strength over time. Fence off the area below any loose concrete, keep people off a balcony that is badly affected, and have it assessed soon.