Torquay · Devon
Concrete repairs in Torquay
Where flats and houses in Torquay and across Devon have concrete balconies, canopies or lintels several decades old, carbonation has had time to reach the reinforcement. That is when spalling and straight-line cracking tend to appear.
Guide price from£90per m² inc VAT
- Postcodes
- TQ1, TQ2, TQ3, TQ4
- Population
- about 65,000
- Area
- Devon
- Pricing region
- South West
Is Devon prone to ground movement?
We cover Torquay and its postcode districts TQ1, TQ2, TQ3, TQ4, part of Devon, with a population of roughly 65,000. Nearby, we also cover Paignton (3 miles), Brixham (5 miles) and Newton Abbot (6 miles).
Most of Devon is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east. Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties. Housing stock in Devon: Cob and stone cottages, Victorian terraces in Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, and post-war estates.
Concrete repairs prices in Torquay
Guide prices below are for homes in Torquay, on South West rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete patch repair | £90 – £185 | per m² |
| Crack injection | £185 – £495 | per metre |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £465 – £925 | per visit |
How we usually approach concrete repairs
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
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
What happens during concrete repairs, step by step?
Photos and a description
Send photos of the damage close up and from a distance, plus the whole balcony, canopy or elevation. Tell us roughly how old the building is and whether anything has fallen, so we can judge whether to make it safe first.
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.
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
- Fine cracks running in straight lines along the line of the reinforcement
- Damp patches, white deposits or drips on a balcony or canopy underside
- Exposed steel bars showing where concrete has fallen away
Rules 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.
Questions about concrete repairs in Torquay
How much will concrete repairs cost in Torquay?
Guide prices for concrete repairs in Torquay start from about £90 per m², including VAT, on South West rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Torquay?
Yes, Torquay is covered, along with postcode districts TQ1, TQ2, TQ3, TQ4. We also cover nearby Paignton and Brixham.
Is the ground in Devon prone to subsidence?
Devon's ground is mostly older mudstones, sandstones and granite, so shrinkable-clay subsidence is less widespread than further east. Older solid-walled and cob buildings, steep sites and retaining walls are the more common structural concerns. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
What is spalling concrete?
Spalling is concrete breaking away from the surface in flakes or chunks. In reinforced concrete it is usually caused by the steel inside rusting and expanding, which pushes the cover off. It often follows a straight line where a bar sits close to the surface, with rust staining nearby.
Other structural repairs in Torquay
Concrete repairs near Torquay
For a guide price on concrete repairs in Torquay, use the quote tool or send photos showing the spalling, any exposed steel and the drainage.