Brunel Wallcure Limited

Specialists in cavity wall tie replacement and structural anchors. WALL TIE CORROSION Problems with corroded wall ties are becoming increasingly apparent and recent reports state that millions of homes could be affected by serious corrosion of the cavity ties. At worst, this could cause outside walls to collapse or gable ends to be pulled away by high winds.

Corroded wall ties

At the least, the problem is manifested in the appearance of cracks or bulges in the external brick skin caused by the corroding ties expanding up to seven times their original thickness. With half the country's housing stock plus a substantial amount of industrial and commercial property built with cavity walls, this problem must not be overlooked, for houses that were given an expected life of between 80 to 90 years, now have wall ties corroding in less than 40 years.

THE SIGNS The corrosion of metal ties used in cavity wall construction is leaving a major problem which can eventually seriously affect the structural properties of a building. The tell tale signs are horizontal cracking of the mortar joint or rendering at the location of the tie. As the ties corrode, the wider the crack becomes. Should the condition remain unchecked, due to external forces, the wall may start to bulge. It is essential to act quickly as soon as any of these symptoms are discovered.