South Glamorgan · Wales
Structural crack repairs in South Glamorgan
Looking for structural crack repairs in South Glamorgan? Send us photos for a free initial view. Parts of South Glamorgan have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells, so we look at the ground, drains and nearby trees before recommending anything.
Guide price from£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Area
- South Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
- Ground
- Clay in parts
- Towns listed
- 4
Why does the ground in South Glamorgan matter for structural crack repairs?
Cardiff is built on Mercia Mudstone, river gravels and alluvium, and the Vale of Glamorgan on Lias limestone and clay. Soft alluvium near the rivers and docks can settle.
Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Housing stock in South Glamorgan: Victorian terraces in Cardiff and Penarth, inter-war semis and post-war estates.
Structural crack repairs prices in South Glamorgan
These are guide prices for South Glamorgan, using Wales rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| 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 |
How we usually approach structural crack repairs
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
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 happens during structural crack repairs, step by step?
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.
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.
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
- A crack noticeably wider at the top than the bottom, or the reverse
- Cracks that reappear in the same place after filling and painting
- Diagonal cracks running from the corners of windows and doors
- Stepped cracks zigzagging through the mortar joints of outside brickwork
Do you need approval for structural crack 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.
Towns in South Glamorgan we cover for structural crack repairs
Questions about structural crack repairs in South Glamorgan
Is the ground in South Glamorgan prone to subsidence?
Cardiff is built on Mercia Mudstone, river gravels and alluvium, and the Vale of Glamorgan on Lias limestone and clay. Soft alluvium near the rivers and docks can settle. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will structural crack repairs cost in South Glamorgan?
On Wales rates, structural crack repairs starts from about £75 per metre of crack, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
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.
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.
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.