Glasgow · Scotland
Wall tie replacement in Glasgow
We carry out wall tie replacement across Glasgow, from the larger towns to smaller places nearby. Shrinkable clay is less common in Glasgow than in south-east England. Every job starts with the cause, then the repair is specified to match it.
Guide price from£1,700per house inc VAT
- Area
- Glasgow
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Ground
- Mostly firmer ground
- Towns listed
- 0
What should you know about the ground under Glasgow?
Glasgow is underlain by the Central Coalfield, with shallow historic coal and ironstone workings recorded across much of the city, beneath glacial till and river deposits along the Clyde.
Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Glasgow, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in Glasgow: Red and blond sandstone tenements, Victorian villas, inter-war cottage flats and post-war estates.
Repair options we may recommend
Remedial tie installation
New stainless ties are drilled through the outer leaf into the inner leaf, then fixed by mechanical expansion or resin, depending on the masonry. They are placed to a set grid across each elevation, with extra ties around openings and at the edges. Holes are made good in matching mortar.
Best for: Walls where the original ties have failed or are missing
Removing old ties and rebedding
On badly cracked elevations the old ties are cut out from the outer face, the joints raked and rebedded, and the brickwork repointed. It is more work than isolation but removes the source of expansion entirely. An engineer or the survey report usually specifies where this is needed.
Best for: Elevations with severe cracking or lifting
Isolating the old ties
Where the old ties are swelling and cracking the brickwork, fitting new ties alone may not stop further damage. Each old tie can be isolated, usually by cutting it through within the cavity or sleeving its outer end, so it can no longer lift the outer leaf as it continues to corrode.
Best for: Thick mild steel ties still causing horizontal cracking
What to expect when we carry out wall tie replacement
Tie survey
A metal detector locates the existing ties and shows their pattern. Small holes are then drilled at sample points and a borescope passed into the cavity to see the tie condition, type and embedment. The holes are made good afterwards.
Report and quote
You receive a written summary of what the survey found on each elevation, which walls need new ties, whether old ties should be isolated or removed, and a no-obligation written quote with scaffold shown separately.
Install the new ties
New stainless ties are drilled and fixed to the specified grid, with closer spacing around windows, doors and the roofline. Sample ties can be pull-tested to confirm they are holding in your particular brick and block.
Is it time for wall tie replacement? Common signs
- Outer brickwork bowing or bulging, often worst near the top
- A house built before the 1980s on an exposed or coastal site
- Horizontal cracks along mortar joints, repeating every few brick courses
- Cracked render with a regular horizontal pattern
What should you budget for wall tie replacement in Glasgow?
These are guide prices for Glasgow, using Scotland rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-terrace houseest. | £1,700 – £3,300 | per house |
| Semi-detached house | £2,400 – £4,750 | per house |
| Detached houseest. | £3,300 – £6,650 | per house |
| Scaffolding where neededest. | £570 – £1,700 | per elevation |
Do you need approval for wall tie replacement in Scotland?
In Scotland, small repairs often do not need a building warrant, but structural alterations and strengthening generally do. Check with the council’s building standards service if unsure; there is no Party Wall Act in Scotland.
Your wall tie replacement questions
Why do houses in Glasgow crack?
Glasgow is underlain by the Central Coalfield, with shallow historic coal and ironstone workings recorded across much of the city, beneath glacial till and river deposits along the Clyde. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Glasgow, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will wall tie replacement cost in Glasgow?
On Scotland rates, wall tie replacement starts from about £1,700 per house, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
Can wall ties be replaced on a rendered house?
Yes, new ties can be fitted through render, with each drill hole made good afterwards. The repairs can show on painted render, so redecoration of the affected elevation is often worth including. Render can also hide the cracking pattern, so a survey matters more.
Which houses are most at risk of wall tie failure?
Cavity-walled houses built before the 1980s are most at risk, especially those with mild steel ties, black ash mortar or an exposed position. Coastal and hilltop houses, and elevations facing the prevailing weather, tend to fail first.
How do I know if my wall ties have failed?
The clearest sign is horizontal cracking in the mortar joints repeating every few courses, often with a bulge or a lifted roofline. Wire ties can fail with no cracking at all, so a tie survey with a metal detector and borescope is the only reliable check.