All brickwork succumbs to damage over the years, which in many instances isn’t immediately identifiable. Most homeowners wouldn’t consider a few simple cracks, splits and breakages grounds for extensive brick wall repairs. Unfortunately, a quick glance over the surface of your walls isn’t enough to accurately assess their integrity and state of repair.
At Kevin Nye Brickwork and Pointing, we specialise in flexible and affordable brick wall repairs for all types of properties. From houses to garages to outhouses to boundary walls, our experienced contractors have you and your home covered.
If you suspect your walls may be in need of repairs or routine maintenance, we’d be happy to organise an obligation-free inspection at a convenient time and date. With no obligation to go ahead, we will walk you through the brick wall repair options available and help you make the right choice for your home and your budget.
How much does it cost to repair a brick wall?
How much it costs to repair a brick wall depends entirely on the extent of the damage that needs to be repaired and the size/type of wall being worked on. We calculate costs in accordance with the requirements of the project, enabling us to provide accurate quotations rather than vague estimates. Call anytime to discuss your requirements in more detail and to arrange an obligation-free quotation for your brick wall repairs.
Can you straighten a leaning brick wall?
The short answer is yes, but it depends entirely on how severely the wall is leaning and the general state of repair of the brickwork. In some instances, it is possible for a leaning brick wall to be straightened through a combination of precision excavation and carefully pushing/securing the wall back in place. A professional inspection of the wall and the surrounding surface will be necessary to determine whether or not it can be straightened.
Can a cracked brick wall be repaired?
As a general rule of thumb, it costs an average of £20 to £30 per square metre to repoint brick. However, costs vary significantly in accordance with the nature and extent of the damage, the type of brickwork/stonework that needs to be repaired and the requirements for any specialist pointing products. Contact a member of the team at Kevin Nye Brickwork anytime to discuss your requirements and to arrange an obligation-free quotation.
Can I repoint brick myself?
The vast majority of surface cracks that appear over time on brick walls can be replaced. There is a degree of natural expansion and contraction with all types of brickwork, stonework and pointing, which can lead to superficial cracking of no risk to the wall’s structural integrity. However, more extensive cracks that may pose a threat to the safety or integrity of the wall could call for more extensive renovations or reconstruction.
How do you repair an exterior brick wall?
Over time, the mortar (or pointing) between brickwork and stonework gradually decays and deteriorates. Unless the necessary repairs are performed as and when required, this loose and falling pointing can cause major issues with the surrounding structure. Eventually, the entire wall or property as a whole could become dangerously unstable. Preventative maintenance by way of routine Repointing is therefore highly recommended
Which cracks in walls are serious?
Small hairline cracks that appear in the surface of bricks from time to time are not typically indicative of a major issue. However, stair-step cracks and zig-zag cracks in brick walls can be a sign of a structural defect or subsidence – both of which should be investigated at the earliest possible stage.
If you are concerned about any cracks you have noticed in your brickwork, contact a member of the team at Kevin Nye to arrange an obligation-free consultation.
What causes vertical cracks in brick walls?
There are various causes of vertical cracks in brick walls, though the most common of all is the expansion and shrinkage of the materials over time. General corrosion can also result in vertical cracks, which depending on their depth and extent may or may not be a cause for concern. However, it is important to organise a professional inspection of your brickwork upon detecting any cracks, damage or warning signs of any potential structural issues.
When should you worry about cracks in walls?
If you spot hairline fractures in just a few of your bricks, they are most likely not cause for concern. Where cracks are more pronounced or widespread, it is advisable to organise the necessary repairs at the earliest possible stage. If there are vertical cracks in your bricks that are wider at the top than the bottom, this could indicate a more severe structural issue and calls for more urgent action.
Is it normal for old houses to have cracks?
It is quite normal for old houses to have cracks, simply due to the fact that no brickwork, stonework or pointing is impervious to decay or deterioration over time. However, this doesn’t mean that cracks in the brickwork/stonework of old houses should be overlooked or ignored. The earlier corrective action is taken against minor cracks and damage, the easier it becomes to avoid major issues and expensive renovations at a later date.
Does home insurance cover cracked walls?
Unfortunately, the vast majority of home insurance policies do not cover cracked walls. This is because the gradual deterioration of a property’s exterior structure is considered wear and tear, which insurance policies rarely cover. However, cracks and damage to your home’s exterior that occur suddenly – perhaps due to a freak weather event or accident – may be covered by your home insurance policy. Contact your provider for clarification, if unsure.
Brick Repair
Over time, brickwork gradually succumbs to year-round exposure to the elements, subsequently crumbling, flaking and decaying. While most surface damage to brickwork is little more than a cosmetic imperfection, periodic brick repairs are nonetheless vital to preserve the structural integrity of the wall and the property as a whole.
At Kevin Nye Brickwork and Pointing, we provide a comprehensive range of brick repair and maintenance services in London and Surrey. Our full range of services includes the identification of underlying issues that may be responsible for the damage, repairs and restoration of existing brickwork, brick replacements, brick tinting, professional brickwork cleaning and many more besides.
Brick repair represents a simple and cost-effective alternative to the major repairs and renovations that may be necessary, in the event that brickwork is allowed to deteriorate beyond repair. Contact a member of the team at Kevin Nye anytime to discuss any aspect of our brick repair and renovation services in more detail.
Vertical Crack in Brick Wall
We are often asked whether pointing and repointing brickwork is something you could do yourself. While the answer is technically yes, pointing and repointing brickwork is a job that should only ever be performed by qualified and experienced professionals.
All projects that involve pointing and repointing brickwork will play a role in determining the safety and integrity of the structure as a whole. Unless you have the extensive knowledge, experience and specialist equipment needed to get the job done right, we strongly suggest hiring help for your pointing and repointing requirements.
We are standing by to provide you with a quick quotation, with no obligation to go ahead – call or e-mail anytime.
Repointing Brick Wall
Preventative maintenance is cheaper, easier and safer than allowing your walls to decay and deteriorate indefinitely. Repointing brick walls on a periodic basis can significantly reduce the risk of major structural issues at a later date.
A simple yet essential exterior renovation project, repointing brick walls involves the precision removal of damaged pointing (mortar) and the use of premium-quality pointing to replace it. The gradual deterioration of all types of mortar is inevitable, which can be accelerated by exposure to adverse weather conditions and changes in temperature throughout the year.
Where flaking, cracking or falling mortar is detected, we strongly suggest repairing or replacing it as promptly as possible. While repointing brick walls manually is technically an option, you will save time, effort and money by hiring the experts at Kevin Nye to tackle the job on your behalf.
We are standing by to provide you with an obligation-free quotation – call or e-mail anytime to learn more.
Spalling Brick Repair
The term ‘spalling brick’ is used in reference to the damage and deterioration caused when moisture penetrates the surface of bricks and mortar. Due to the expansion and contraction of the moisture within the brickwork, it causes the material to crack, crumble and fall away from the wall.
Spalling brick repairs are performed manually, using a variety of specialist equipment to cut out and replace the damaged bricks and mortar. While conducting spalling brick repairs, it is essential to ensure that every trace of damaged material is removed, and no residual moisture is left behind. Only then can the replacement bricks and mortar be secured in place, without the risk of the problem reoccurring.
At Kevin Nye Brickwork and Pointing, we specialise in all aspects of affordable spalling brick repairs for classical and contemporary properties in London. Call anytime for an obligation-free quotation on your brickwork repair requirements.
Repair Garden Brick Wall
Repairs for garden brick walls are often delayed indefinitely, ultimately resulting in the deterioration of the structure beyond repair. As with the walls of your home, periodic repairs for garden brick walls hold the key to keeping them functional, practical and safe indefinitely.
Constructing a garden brick wall from scratch can be exponentially more expensive than conducting routine maintenance and repairs. Whether it is repointing to securely hold the masonry units in place or repairing/or replacing bricks that have decayed through exposure, a quick-fix at the right time can save you a lot of money long-term.
If planning to repair your garden brick wall manually, contact the team at Kevin Nye for a quick quotation. We will provide you an accurate, obligation-free estimate which could cost you less than performing the repairs yourself. Call or e-mail anytime to learn more.
Horizontal Crack in Brick Wall
It is always unnerving to note a horizontal crack in a brick wall that wasn’t there before. While some horizontal cracks in brick walls are purely superficial and therefore no cause for concern, horizontal brick cracks are more likely to be indicative of a severe problem than vertical cracks.
This is why it is essential to organise a professional inspection of the affected area and the surrounding structure, in order to identify the root cause of the problem. In most instances, horizontal cracks in brick walls can be permanently repaired, without major structural renovations being necessary.
Acting early is essential, in order to ensure that whatever has caused the crack is prevented from causing any further damage. Call Kevin Nye Brickwork and Pointing to organise an obligation-free inspection of your home, if you have noted one or more horizontal cracks you are concerned about.
Cracks in Brick House
Cracks in brick houses occur for a variety of reasons, which in most instances are not an immediate cause for concern. All types of bricks have a finite lifespan and are prone to deteriorating over time. Exposure to adverse weather can accelerate this gradual decay, often resulting in hairline cracks in brick houses that are purely cosmetic.
However, there are other types of cracks in brick houses that are more serious and should be investigated at the earliest possible stage. Severely cracked bricks should be repaired or replaced to maintain the structural integrity of the wall, whereas longer and/or deeper cracks (horizontal or vertical) can be indicative of an issue with the structure itself.
If in doubt, arrange an obligation-free inspection of your property to assess the nature and severity of the damage. Though most cosmetic cracks in brick houses are not a major cause for concern, other cracks are symptomatic of much more serious and urgent issues.
