failing lintels & localised subsidence
This small development comprised detached purpose designed bungalows and maisonettes for the elderly below pitched tiled roofs. Each block was of a similar design, facing a common central garden. To the front elevation of each block there was a central gabled section accommodating a first floor with a single storey wing on both sides.

Problem
Signs of distortion and distress with cracked and dropped brick arches, cracking to the brickwork to the ground and first floor windows, and cracking to the brickwork below the ground floor windows were noted.
Discussion
We believed that the movement noted was progressive, due to inadequate lintels. The cracking noted below the ground floor window could be attributed to some localised subsidence. The buildings were to undergo a window replacement programme and it was requested that our proposal included the restraining of the single brick arch above each window.
Solution
AWT completed a remedial scheme providing a viable repair by introducing bed joint reinforcement beaming, fenestration lintel repair and crack stitching.

• Bed joint reinforcement beaming: The introduction of two rows of twin 8mm stainless steel corded joint reinforcement, forming a deep masonry beam – As indicated with red double dotted lines on our proposal images.
• Fenestration lintel repair: To the underside of the fenestration openings head we drilled for and injected grouted 8mm helical stainless steel pins through the brick arch, passing into the line of the deep masonry beam installed within the existing masonry – As indicated with green parallel lines on our proposal images.
• Made good the pointing: To the cracking schedule for reinforcement listed above, we raked out the existing cracked mortar and repaired with new coloured sand and cement mortar to approximately 20mm in depth. AWT operatives are highly skilled in traditional building methods and always attempt to match replacement bricks, pointing styles and mortar colour to be sympathetic with the existing building.



Action Wall Ties (AWT) are specialists in masonry reinforcement and repair, providing professional solutions to a wide variety of structural problems. Contact us on 01227 721 255, or email us.




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