Wandsworth · Greater London
Structural crack repairs in Wandsworth
Cracks in walls in Wandsworth come in many shapes, and the shape usually says more than the size. We assess stepped, vertical, horizontal and tapered cracks from your photos first, then explain whether yours looks cosmetic or needs a closer look.
Guide price from£100per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SW6, SW11, SW15, SW17, SW18
- Population
- about 330,000
- Area
- Greater London
- Pricing region
- London
What should you know about the ground under Wandsworth?
We cover the whole of Wandsworth, including postcode districts SW6, SW11, SW15, SW17, SW18; about 330,000 people live in the borough. We also take enquiries from nearby Hammersmith and Fulham (3 miles), Lambeth (3 miles) and Kensington and Chelsea (3 miles).
Greater London is one of the parts of the UK where clay soils are most likely to move with the seasons. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. What you mostly find across Greater London: Victorian and Edwardian terraces with shallow footings, inter-war semis in the outer boroughs, and converted flats and mansion blocks.
Is it time for structural crack repairs? Common signs
- Daylight or a draught coming through a crack in an outside wall
- Doors or windows that have started sticking or no longer latch
- Diagonal cracks running from the corners of windows and doors
What should you budget for structural crack repairs in Wandsworth?
Prices in Wandsworth are worked out on London rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with helical bars | £100 – £225 | per metre of crack |
| Single crack, outside only (up to about 2 m)est. | £500 – £1,100 | per crack |
| Internal making good and redecoration of the crack lineest. | £190 – £625 | per room |
Repair options we may recommend
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
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
What to expect when we carry out structural crack repairs
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.
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 will structural crack repairs cost in Wandsworth?
Guide prices for structural crack repairs in Wandsworth start from about £100 per metre of crack, including VAT, on London rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Wandsworth?
Yes, Wandsworth is covered, along with postcode districts SW6, SW11, SW15, SW17. We also cover nearby Hammersmith and Fulham and Lambeth.
Is the ground in Greater London prone to subsidence?
Most of Greater London sits on London Clay, among the most shrinkage-prone ground in the UK, with river gravels along the Thames. Subsidence claims here are among the most frequent in the country, especially after dry summers and near street and garden trees. 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.
What causes vertical cracks in walls?
Vertical cracks are most often caused by thermal or moisture movement in long walls, or by the joint between old and newer work. An even-width vertical crack is usually cosmetic. One clearly wider at the top or bottom can indicate foundation movement at one end.
Other structural repairs in Wandsworth
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Crack stitching
- Wall tie replacement
Structural crack repairs near Wandsworth
Each crack at your Wandsworth property is priced separately in our written quote, so you can see exactly what you are paying for and why.