Northampton · Northamptonshire
Wall tie replacement in Northampton
For landlords with older housing stock in Northampton, wall ties are worth checking before the cracks appear. A short survey on each elevation gives you a clear record and a priced plan if replacement is needed.
Guide price from£1,750per house inc VAT
- Postcodes
- NN1, NN2, NN3, NN4, NN7
- Population
- about 250,000
- Area
- Northamptonshire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
What is the ground like in Northamptonshire?
With roughly 250,000 people, Northampton spans postcode districts NN1, NN2, NN3, NN4, NN7 in Northamptonshire. We also take enquiries from nearby Wellingborough (9 miles), Daventry (12 miles) and Rushden (12 miles).
Northamptonshire is one of the parts of the UK where clay soils are most likely to move with the seasons. Historic ironstone working has left disturbed ground in places. Housing stock in Northamptonshire: Ironstone and limestone cottages, Victorian terraces in Northampton and Kettering, and new-town estates in Corby.
How we usually approach wall tie replacement
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
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
What happens during wall tie replacement, step by step?
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.
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.
Deal with the old ties and make good
Old ties are isolated or removed where the report calls for it, cracked joints are raked out and repointed, and drilled holes are filled in matching mortar. A written note of tie positions and findings goes in your property file.
What to look for before calling about wall tie replacement
- Cracked render with a regular horizontal pattern
- Horizontal cracks along mortar joints, repeating every few brick courses
- The roof edge or verge lifting slightly above the brickwork
Wall tie replacement prices in Northampton
Prices in Northampton are worked out on East Midlands 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-terrace houseest. | £1,750 – £3,450 | per house |
| Semi-detached house | £2,450 – £4,900 | per house |
| Detached houseest. | £3,450 – £6,850 | per house |
| Scaffolding where neededest. | £590 – £1,750 | per elevation |
Rules for wall tie replacement 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.
Questions about wall tie replacement in Northampton
How much should I budget for wall tie replacement in Northampton?
Guide prices for wall tie replacement in Northampton start from about £1,750 per house, including VAT, on East Midlands 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 Northampton?
Yes, Northampton is covered, along with postcode districts NN1, NN2, NN3, NN4. We also cover nearby Wellingborough and Daventry.
Why do houses in Northamptonshire crack?
Northamptonshire sits largely on Lias clay and Jurassic ironstones and limestones, with historic ironstone quarrying around Corby and Kettering. The clay vales are prone to shrinkage near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Is wall tie failure covered by insurance?
Usually not, because insurers treat it as gradual deterioration. Damage caused by a sudden event, such as part of a wall collapsing in a storm, may be treated differently under some policies. Check your policy wording, and tell your insurer if you are unsure.
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.
Related work in Northampton
- Brick arch repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Roof structure repairs
Wall tie replacement near Northampton
Pick your house type in our quote tool for a Northampton wall tie guide price, then book a survey to confirm what condition the ties are in.