UK Wall Ties Limited (UKWT) is a specialised construction company providing surveying and remediation of cavity wall tie corrosion and failure. UKWT also undertake a range of structural repairs to existing residential and commercial buildings including lateral bracing. Our surveying services aims to ascertain the integrity of current structural wall ties before the instruction of an independent structural engineering programme of remediation.
Wall ties, also known as brick ties or cavity wall ties, are unseen integral structural components of a cavity wall. Without functional wall ties a wall can bow, crack or on occasion collapse when subjected to high winds or ground movement. If the number and location of wall ties are insufficient, corroded or poorly installed, serious structural issues can ensue. Our company will survey a property before proposing a course of remediation or monitoring.
Wall tie replacement is well recognised by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). The BRE in Digest 461 indicates the lifespan of galvanised wall ties to be approximately 100 years however it also notes this can reduce significantly based on multiple factors. The digest further notes the lifespan of the bitumen and zinc coating of a wall tie is frequently under the life expectancy of the masonry walls which is a major concern for traditional built houses. At UK Wall Ties we recommend a wall tie survey of the building using non-invasive and invasive survey techniques to identify whether wall tie replacement is necessary or an alternative remediation.
We have all heard the expression prevention is better than cure. The issue with wall ties is the signs of wall tie corrosion may not be readily apparent in the early stages. The higher the level of damaged or corrosion of the wall tie, the more challenging the replacement. In severe circumstances wall tie failure can result in a complete collapse of an outer leaf brick wall. Based upon the age of the property and any proposed work (rear, front or side extension, internal reconfiguration, loft conversion etc.) UK Wall Ties will recommend a survey. The survey will identify the stage of corrosion, a programme of recommended works (wall tie reinstatement) or sequential monitoring.
Cracking, bowing, and other signs of structural issues in residential or commercial properties are not all due to Wall Tie Failure or Wall Tie Corrosion. A robust process has been developed (sometimes involving invasive surveying) to ascertain the cause of a structural deficiency in a building. While UK Wall Ties Ltd can undertake additional structural repairs (including lateral bracing, lintel replacement and helix bar installation), our unique process involves the instruction of an independent structural engineer followed by an appropriate programme of remediation. The instruction of an independent structural engineer aims to ascertain and determine a structural diagnosis prior to a programme of investigation, repair or monitoring.