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If you’ve spotted cracks, bulging walls or suspect wall tie corrosion, consider arranging a wall tie survey. It’s the only reliable way to assess tie condition and prevent serious structural damage.
1. How Much is a Wall Tie Survey?
Answer: At Surveying Wall Ties, a fixed-price wall tie survey costs £250.00. This includes a professional inspection and a detailed report. There are no hidden charges, and you are under no obligation to use us for any remedial work.
2. Who Can Check Wall Ties?
Answer: If you suspect a problem with your wall ties, it's crucial to consult a specialist wall tie surveyor. They can provide a thorough and unbiased assessment of the situation. It's beneficial to choose an independent surveyor who doesn't offer replacement services, ensuring an objective evaluation.
3. How Serious is Wall Tie Failure?
Answer: Wall tie failure is a serious issue. If left untreated, it can lead to the collapse of the outer leaf of the wall. Early identification and prompt action are essential to maintain the structural safety of your building.
4. How Do You Test Wall Ties?
Answer: Testing wall ties typically involves a combination of methods:
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Visual Inspection: A thorough examination of the walls for visible signs of failure.
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Borescope Camera: Using a borescope camera to inspect the cavity wall without causing damage. This allows the surveyor to see the condition of the ties directly.
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Laboratory Analysis (if needed): In some cases, small samples may be taken for laboratory analysis to determine the extent of corrosion or deterioration.
5. Can Wall Ties Cause Damp?
Answer: Yes, failing wall ties can contribute to damp problems. Moisture can bridge through defective ties or gaps in the mortar, leading to penetrating damp inside your property. This is a common consequence of wall tie corrosion.
6. Can I Replace Wall Ties Myself?
Answer: DIY wall tie replacement is strongly discouraged. It requires specialised equipment, experience, and a clear understanding of structural loads. Always consult a qualified professional for wall tie replacement. Attempting it yourself could compromise the structural integrity of your building.
7. Do All Houses Have Wall Ties?
Answer: No, wall ties are only present in cavity wall constructions. If your house has solid walls, it will not have wall ties.
8. What Does Wall Tie Failure Look Like?
Answer: Signs of wall tie failure include:
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Horizontal Cracks: Cracks in the mortar joints, particularly along the courses of bricks.
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Bulging Brickwork: Areas where the brickwork appears to be bulging outwards.
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Misaligned Bricks: Rows of bricks that are no longer aligned, indicating separation of the outer wall from the structure.
By understanding these key aspects of wall tie surveys, homeowners can make informed decisions about maintaining the structural integrity of their properties. Early detection and professional intervention are crucial for preventing serious damage and ensuring the safety of the building.
The Wall Tie Survey is straightforward and usually takes about two hours.
Upon arrival on site the suyeyor will introduce himself to the owner and carry out a visual inspection of all elevations.
Having done this he will use a metal detector to locate the positions of the Wall Ties on each elevation then drill a 11 mm hole in the motar bed near the ties.
Using a boroscope to view the ties, photos will be taken.
After the survey, all holes will be made good.
We use the Building Research Establishment (BRE) Digest 401 how to visually grade existing Wall Ties to grade your property.
The BRE 401 sets out nine classes of Wall Tie Corrosion ranging from no.1 bright not corroded to no.9 very rusty or totally failed. See below.
Our surveys are carried out for the fixed price of £250.00
Wall Tie Corrosion Levels
(BRE 401 Reference Chart) Description of Condition.
1. Zinc uncorroded - Zinc/bitumen layer still shiny. Spangles (zones of different crystal orientation) may be visible.
2. Zinc light corrosion - Zinc layer of even light grey colour but no shine. (Bitumen: even black colour but no shine.)
3. Zinc moderate corrosion - Zinc layer of medium grey colour with some variation (lighter or darker areas).
4. Zinc heavy corrosion - Zinc layer dark grey to black matt colour; may show some pitting or minor rust spots.
5. Zinc white rust - Zinc covered with a white compound; may show some pitting or minor rust spots.
6. Zinc terminal corrosion - Zinc corroded, and up to 10% of the area has red rust, but the tie cross-section is not reduced.
7. Red rusting - Zinc substantially gone; large areas of red rust, but cross-section is not significantly reduced.
8. Red rusting & erosion - Largely red rust with build-up of iron oxide layers and significant loss of steel cross-section.
9. Total failure - Steel cross-section is less than one-third of the designed cross-section, or completely eroded.
Note
Bitumen paint films have often been used as a substitute for zinc protection in times of shortage.
These may be judged roughly using references 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 by substituting "Paint film" for "Zinc".
Quantitative measurements would be meaningless.