Newtownards · County Down
Structural crack repairs in Newtownards
If you have found a crack in a wall at your Newtownards property, the first job is to work out why it appeared. Our crack repairs start with the cause, so the stitching, repointing or rebuilding that follows has a fair chance of lasting.
Guide price from£70per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BT23
- Population
- about 29,000
- Area
- County Down
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
What is the ground like in County Down?
We cover Newtownards and its postcode districts BT23, part of County Down, with a population of roughly 29,000. If you are just outside Newtownards, we also cover Bangor (5 miles), Holywood (6 miles) and Downpatrick (18 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in County Down than in south-east England. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in County Down: Victorian seaside houses in Bangor and Holywood, brick terraces and post-war estates.
Structural crack repairs prices in Newtownards
The ranges below reflect typical Northern Ireland costs for structural crack repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with helical bars | £70 – £160 | per metre of crack |
| Single crack, outside only (up to about 2 m)est. | £350 – £790 | per crack |
| Internal making good and redecoration of the crack lineest. | £130 – £440 | per room |
How we usually approach structural crack repairs
Rebuilding a cracked section
Where bricks have split or the wall has moved out of line, the damaged area is taken down and rebuilt, bonded into sound masonry on either side. Reclaimed or matched bricks keep the repair discreet, with temporary support used where needed.
Best for: Badly displaced or broken brickwork
Filling and repointing
For hairline and narrow cracks that have stopped moving, the crack line is raked out and repointed in mortar matched to the original for strength, colour and texture. Inside, plaster cracks are cut out, filled with a flexible filler and redecorated.
Best for: Cracks up to about 5 mm that are no longer moving
What happens during structural crack repairs, step by step?
Survey and record
On site we measure the width along the crack, note its pattern and check nearby drains, trees and openings. If the cause is unclear, gauges can be fixed across it and read over several months.
Written quote
You receive a no-obligation written quote listing each crack, the repair method chosen for it and the making good inside and out. Once the scope is settled, that becomes a fixed price in writing.
Repair and make good
Cracks are stitched, repointed or rebuilt as specified, with mortar matched to the existing wall. Internal crack lines are filled and redecorated where included, and you get a written note of what was done.
What to look for before calling about structural crack repairs
- Diagonal cracks running from the corners of windows and doors
- Cracks that reappear in the same place after filling and painting
- Stepped cracks zigzagging through the mortar joints of outside brickwork
Rules for structural crack repairs in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, minor repairs usually need no approval, but structural work comes under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and council building control. There is no Party Wall Act in Northern Ireland.
Questions about structural crack repairs in Newtownards
What is the price of structural crack repairs in Newtownards?
Guide prices for structural crack repairs in Newtownards start from about £70 per metre of crack, including VAT, on Northern Ireland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out structural crack repairs in Newtownards?
We do. Newtownards and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Bangor and Holywood. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Does the ground around Newtownards cause cracking?
County Down is mostly drumlin till over older rock and granite in the Mournes, with soft estuarine ground around Belfast Lough and Strangford. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can I just fill a crack and paint over it?
You can fill a fine crack that is not moving, and for many hairline cracks that is the right repair. Filling a crack that is still opening hides the evidence, and it will usually come back. If a filled crack returns within a year or two, have it assessed.
Are horizontal cracks in a wall serious?
Horizontal cracks are often more serious than vertical ones, because they suggest the wall is being pushed or lifted. Cracks repeating every few courses point to rusting wall ties, while one long crack with a bulge may mean lost restraint.
More repairs we carry out in Newtownards
- Underpinning
- Lintel replacement
- Roof structure repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
Structural crack repairs near Newtownards
Worried about a crack in Newtownards? Photograph it with a tape measure across it, send it over, and we will tell you plainly whether it needs repair.