Wall tie corrosion

Cavity wall ties

Wall ties are introduced at the time of construction of a cavity wall and their function is to assist in the lateral restraint of the external, usually non load bearing, elevation.

In the southern region of England cavity walls were commonly constructed since the late 1800s and in these early forms of construction the wall ties comprised of any one of ceramic perforated bricks, cast iron and mild steel.

The cast iron and mild steel types are bedded into the mortar bed joints at regular intervals and can corrode due to their exposure to the elements and breakdown of any galvanised, or bituminous, protective coating.

Wall tie corrosion can seriously damage external walls and could, in some cases, make a building unstable.

Wall tie inspection

A Remcure surveyor will carry out a thorough inspection to establish the need for remedial work. The surveyor will:

• Complete a thorough examination of your property, inspecting random wall ties with an endoscope and, if required, removal of bedding mortar to inspect the section of tie embedded in the outer leaf of brickwork.
• Identify cracks and damage to brickwork.
• Provide a detailed report in line with B.R.E.Digest 401 1995 and including the most effective treatment for wall tie failure, (if remedial works are deemed necessary).

Wall tie replacement

Remcure operatives have been trained and are experienced to apply the proposed schedule of works to address the problem of wall tie failure. Treatment will include:

• Drilling holes in brickwork for access to wall ties (using the appropriate access equipment where needed).
• Installation of new stainless steel wall ties appropriate for the subject structure.
• Isolation of existing wall ties to prevent further damage.
• Preserving the appearance of your property – make drilled holes good to match the existing wall appearance.