Hexham · Northumberland
Structural crack repairs in Hexham
Homeowners and landlords in Hexham 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£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- NE46
- Population
- about 12,000
- Area
- Northumberland
- Pricing region
- North East
Is Northumberland prone to ground movement?
Hexham (NE46) has around 12,000 residents and sits in Northumberland. Nearby, we also cover Consett (13 miles), Blaydon-on-Tyne (15 miles) and Whickham (17 miles).
Parts of Northumberland have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Northumberland lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Northumberland, most homes are colliery terraces, stone farmhouses and villages, and post-war estates.
What should you budget for structural crack repairs in Hexham?
The ranges below reflect typical North East 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 | £75 – £165 | per metre of crack |
| Single crack, outside only (up to about 2 m)est. | £370 – £830 | per crack |
| Internal making good and redecoration of the crack lineest. | £140 – £460 | 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
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 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.
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.
Is it time for structural crack repairs? Common signs
- A crack noticeably wider at the top than the bottom, or the reverse
- Daylight or a draught coming through a crack in an outside wall
- Diagonal cracks running from the corners of windows and doors
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 Hexham?
Guide prices for structural crack repairs in Hexham start from about £75 per metre of crack, including VAT, on North East 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 Hexham?
Yes, Hexham is covered, along with postcode districts NE46. We also cover nearby Consett and Blaydon-on-Tyne.
Why do houses in Northumberland crack?
South-east Northumberland around Blyth, Ashington and Cramlington lies on the Northumberland coalfield, worked extensively in the past, under a cover of glacial clay. The north and west are hard rock and moorland. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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.
Related work in Hexham
- Retaining wall repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Crack stitching
Structural crack repairs near Hexham
Get a free initial assessment of cracked walls in Hexham from your photos or a call, then a fixed price in writing once the repair is specified.