Cavity wall tie replacement, installation and surveys
If you have a wall that is bowing or cracked, it could be a sign that you need to install or repair its wall ties. Call in our experienced, professional team so we can assess the situation and help you find the most cost-effective solution.
A team you can trust
At Geoff Milton, we’re experienced, highly professional, and also accredited members of the Wall Tie Installers Federation. That means we follow recognised industry standards and best practice, so you can be confident that we’ll carry out every job with excellence and care. And for total peace of mind, all wall tie replacement and installation work is covered by our 25-year insurance-backed warranty.
What are cavity wall ties?
Put simply, wall ties hold together the inner and outer sections of a cavity wall. Traditionally, older buildings were constructed with solid brick or stone walls. But at the turn of the century, cavity walls were introduced as a more effective option to keep the rain out and the heat in. They work well – until the ties holding them together begin to fail.
Signs of wall tie failure
Depending on their age, wall ties can be made from many different materials – with some standing up to the job better than others. Because they’re buried within the wall, it’s not always easy to spot if there’s a problem. But here are some key signs to look out for:
- Horizontal cracks: These follow the mortar joints, often in a horizontal or stepped pattern.
- Bowing or bulging walls: Particularly noticeable on long or gable-end walls, it will look like the wall is being pushed outwards.
- Rust stains: If the ties are corroding, red or brown stains may appear on the brickwork or render.
- Loose bricks: Individual bricks may look loose or even fall out.
- Distorted frames: Doors and windows may look or feel misaligned as the shifting wall sends everything out of line.
- Damaged render: Cracks or bumps may be noticeable in the surface of the render.
- Damp patches: Moisture can cross the wall cavity and make internal walls damp or stained.
- Internal cracks: Horizontal or vertical cracks can appear on the plaster, or where the walls and ceiling meet.
- Sagging lintels: If the horizontal support over a window or door looks like it’s sagging, that could show a lack of structural support.
- Noise: If your building whistles or creaks more than usual in high winds, it could be due to failed wall ties.
Have you spotted any of these issues? If you have, let our experts take a look. We can either put your mind at rest or help you solve any problems.
A complete cavity wall tie service
If you think you have a problem on your hands, get in touch. Our expert team will advise you on the best course of action, whether that’s a cavity wall tie survey to assess the situation, installing wall ties if none exist, or replacing wall ties that are no longer doing the job they should.
Cavity wall tie replacement and installation
Before starting any work, our team will carry out an assessment on your building to check if wall ties are installed, and if they are, what condition they’re in. Wall ties that have been in place for a while can corrode or snap, making them ineffective – or even swell up, forcing the walls to move or crack. We carry out this assessment using specialist equipment, including scanners and fibre optic borescopes.
If the wall ties are sound and no problem is detected, our team will give you honest feedback. When replacement is needed, we will install high-quality stainless steel wall ties.
If you need advice, more information or a quote, our team will be happy to help you. You can also talk to us about structural crack repairs and lateral restraints.
Cavity wall tie surveys
A cavity wall tie survey is the best way to assess the condition of wall ties, check whether the cavity wall insulation is deteriorating, or see if there is a large amount of debris.
If you need advice, more information or a quote, our team will be happy to help you.
Need another service?
Want to know more about our other cavity wall services? Take a look:
Cracks in masonry are never a welcome sight. As well as looking unattractive, they can let in water, leading to damp and mould. But even more worrying, they can also signal movement in your building or a weakened structure. Our team can carry out a detailed inspection to identify the cause of the cracks, then talk you through the best repair techniques to restore strength and get your wall watertight again.
We carry out all work using the finest materials, methods and craftmanship. So you’ll be left with a high-quality finish and the reassurance that the repair will hold for many years to come.
If you need advice, more information or a quote, our team will be happy to help you.
In buildings with solid walls rather than cavity walls, bowing or shifting can still occur – often due to poor support or extreme wind pressure. When this happens, we can install lateral supports that tie the external brickwork to internal floor joints or other load-bearing structures, improving overall stability.
The modern and highly effective restraint ties we use are 8mm stainless steel rods with a drill-like tip. We install them by screwing them through the outer wall into the joists, giving your building greater strength with minimal disruption to the structure.
If you need advice, more information or a quote, our team will be happy to help you.
Correctly installed, cavity wall insulation can help to retain heat in your building, keeping your heating bills low. However, it doesn’t always work as well as it should.
If your cavity wall insulation is very old, it may have deteriorated or broken down – and this can lead to patches of damp or mould on your walls. Even if the insulation is relatively new, it may not be working effectively due to poor installation or the use of inferior materials. The insulation may even need to be removed as part of a wall tie replacement process.
Whatever reason you need cavity wall insulation removed, our team will carry out the work quickly, expertly and with the minimum of disruption, taking away all old insulation and leaving the area clean and tidy.
If you need advice, more information or a quote, our team will be happy to help you.
Over the years, wall cavities can accumulate debris from bits of mortar or insulation that has broken down. This debris can prevent adequate ventilation and drainage, trapping moisture, reducing thermal efficiency and affecting the performance of new wall ties.
Our cavity cleaning service ensures that before any other work is started, the space is thoroughly cleared, cleaned and ready. This provides a strong foundation for the work that needs to be done – and ensures it’s as effective as can be.
If you need advice, more information or a quote, our team will be happy to help you.
A service that’s second to none
“I’m so pleased with the work the Geoff Milton team carried out. It was all done quickly, expertly and with the minimum of disruption. They really do provide a service that’s second to none.”
Ready to talk?
If you need advice, more information or a quote, our team will be happy to help you.