West Glamorgan · Wales
Concrete repairs in West Glamorgan
If you live in West Glamorgan and are looking at concrete repairs, the first question is why the wall moved. Parts of West Glamorgan have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells; historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of West Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained.
Guide price from£80per m² inc VAT
- Area
- West Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
- Ground
- Clay in parts
- Towns listed
- 4
Is West Glamorgan prone to ground movement?
Swansea and Neath Port Talbot lie on the South Wales coalfield, with historic workings, tips and steep valley sides, and softer estuarine ground around the docks.
Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of West Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Housing stock in West Glamorgan: Hillside terraces, Victorian villas in Swansea and post-war estates.
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
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
Crack injection
Cracks are sealed at the surface, then a low-viscosity resin is injected under pressure through ports until it fills the crack. A rigid resin bonds the two faces back together, while a flexible one seals live cracks against water. The choice depends on whether the crack is still moving.
Best for: Cracks letting water in, or splitting a slab or beam
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.
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.
What to look for before calling about 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
- Damp patches, white deposits or drips on a balcony or canopy underside
Concrete repairs prices in West Glamorgan
Guide prices below are for homes in West Glamorgan, on Wales 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 | £80 – £165 | per m² |
| Crack injection | £165 – £440 | per metre |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £415 – £830 | per visit |
Do you need approval for concrete repairs in Wales?
In Wales, small like-for-like repairs do not usually need approval, but work that alters or strengthens the structure needs building control under the Welsh Building Regulations, and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can apply to shared walls.
Concrete repairs near you in West Glamorgan
Questions about concrete repairs in West Glamorgan
Does the ground around Swansea cause cracking?
Swansea and Neath Port Talbot lie on the South Wales coalfield, with historic workings, tips and steep valley sides, and softer estuarine ground around the docks. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of West Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will concrete repairs cost in West Glamorgan?
On Wales 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.
Do you repair concrete on blocks of flats?
Yes, we repair concrete on houses, flats and small commercial buildings, including balconies, walkway edges, canopies and lintels. For flats, the freeholder, managing agent or owners’ association normally instructs the work. We can price to an engineer’s schedule where one has been prepared.
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.
What is carbonation in concrete?
Carbonation is the gradual reaction between carbon dioxide in the air and concrete, which lowers its alkalinity from the surface inward. Alkaline concrete protects the steel inside, so when carbonation reaches the bars, they can start to rust. A simple test on a freshly broken surface shows how deep it has gone.