Tiverton · Devon
Structural crack repairs in Tiverton
Homeowners and landlords in Tiverton often ask whether a crack is something to worry about. Measured against BRE Digest 251, most are cosmetic, but wide, tapered or growing cracks deserve proper investigation before anyone picks up a trowel.
Guide price from£80per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- EX16
- Population
- about 22,000
- Area
- Devon
- Pricing region
- South West
What should you know about the ground under Tiverton?
Tiverton, Devon: about 22,000 residents across postcode districts EX16. Nearby, we also cover Exeter (12 miles), Taunton (19 miles) and Exmouth (20 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. Typical buildings in Devon: Cob and stone cottages, Victorian terraces in Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, and post-war estates.
Is it time for structural crack repairs? Common signs
- Doors or windows that have started sticking or no longer latch
- Stepped cracks zigzagging through the mortar joints of outside brickwork
- Daylight or a draught coming through a crack in an outside wall
What should you budget for structural crack repairs in Tiverton?
Guide prices below are for homes in Tiverton, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with helical bars | £80 – £185 | per metre of crack |
| Single crack, outside only (up to about 2 m)est. | £410 – £925 | per crack |
| Internal making good and redecoration of the crack lineest. | £155 – £515 | per room |
Repair options we may recommend
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
Crack stitching with helical bars
Stainless steel helical bars are grouted into slots cut along the bed joints, bridging the crack so the masonry works as one piece again. It is the standard repair for wider stepped and vertical cracks once whatever caused them has stopped.
Best for: Stable cracks wider than about 5 mm, or ones that keep reopening
What to expect when we carry out structural crack repairs
Send photos
Photograph the crack from a distance and close up, with a coin or tape measure for scale. From these we say whether it looks cosmetic, needs a visit or calls for an engineer.
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.
Deal with the cause
Leaking drains, failed ties, a sagging lintel or ground movement are put right first, sometimes through an insurance claim. Repairing a crack before its cause is fixed usually means paying for the same job twice.
Rules for structural crack 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.
Your structural crack repairs questions
How much should I budget for structural crack repairs in Tiverton?
Guide prices for structural crack repairs in Tiverton start from about £80 per metre of crack, 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.
Can you survey a property in Tiverton?
We do. Tiverton and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Exeter and Taunton. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Devon crack?
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.
Should I tell my insurer about cracks in my house?
Yes, if you think the cracks could come from subsidence or heave, tell your insurer before any permanent repair, because repairing first can make a claim harder to prove. Cracks from normal shrinkage or ageing are not usually covered, and the insurer decides which applies.
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.
Related work in Tiverton
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Brick arch repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
Structural crack repairs near Tiverton
Send photos of the crack at your Tiverton property, close up and from a distance, for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.