Christchurch · Dorset
Concrete repairs in Christchurch
Spalling concrete on a Christchurch balcony, canopy or lintel almost always starts with the steel inside. Once carbonation or salts reach the bars, they rust and swell, and the concrete breaks away along their line until the steel is repaired and protected.
Guide price from£90per m² inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BH6, BH7, BH23
- Population
- about 31,000
- Area
- Dorset
- Pricing region
- South West
How do local ground conditions affect concrete repairs in Christchurch?
We cover Christchurch and its postcode districts BH6, BH7, BH23, part of Dorset, with a population of roughly 31,000. We also take enquiries from nearby Bournemouth (4 miles), New Milton (5 miles) and Ferndown (7 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Dorset. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in Dorset: Stone and brick villages, Victorian villas in Bournemouth, and inter-war and post-war semis.
Signs you may need concrete repairs
- Hollow sound when the surface is tapped with a hammer
- Rust-coloured stains or streaks running down the concrete surface
- Chunks or flakes of concrete breaking away from edges and soffits
How much will concrete repairs cost in Christchurch?
The ranges below reflect typical South West costs for concrete repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| 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 |
Which repair method suits a home in Christchurch?
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
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 when we carry out concrete repairs in Christchurch?
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.
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.
Break out, repair, protect
Damaged concrete is cut back to sound material, steel cleaned and primed, and the section rebuilt and cured. Cracks are injected, then the surface is coated and drainage details put right so water runs off rather than sitting.
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.
Concrete repairs in Christchurch: questions and answers
How much will concrete repairs cost in Christchurch?
Guide prices for concrete repairs in Christchurch 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 Christchurch?
We do. Christchurch and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Bournemouth and New Milton. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Is the ground in Dorset prone to subsidence?
Dorset mixes chalk downs, Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays in the vales, and the sands and gravels of the Poole basin. Clay vales can shrink and swell, and parts of the coast are known for landslip. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
Other structural repairs in Christchurch
- Floor joist repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Crack stitching
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
Concrete repairs near Christchurch
Send close-up and wide photos of the damaged concrete at your Christchurch property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.