Protecting Heritage

Properties built in the Victorian era often suffer cracking to both internal party walls and external brickwork; this is caused by there being no connection between the two. A property suffering from this problem was recently repaired by Twistfix-registered contractors Newman Building Solutions using the Twistfix bed-joint reinforcement system and lateral restraints.

Newman Building Solutions were contacted by a young couple who had recently bought what they thought was their dream home, a Victorian property in Guildford. Regrettably, the homebuyers report had not been completely comprehensive and had failed to note several structural defects to the property, leading the couple to seek help when they noticed cracks to both internal and external walls; at the front elevation, sagging was also evident along with the cracking.

Twistfix bed-joint reinforcement was used to reconnect masonry panels that had become detached, securing the two elevations to one another and resisting any further masonry movement outwards. Reinforcements were chased into the front elevation at the external bed-joints before being drilled deeply into the damaged internal party wall; creating an L-shaped tie, this repair method offers a pull-out resistance of an exceptionally-high level.

The bresummer (a supporting beam) of the property had completely snapped into two pieces, requiring immediate and urgent repair. After the damaged bresummer was repaired by a specialist team of carpenters, contractors from Newman Building Solutions once again employed Twistfix bed-joint reinforcement to relieve the beam of structural loads. The system, installed in pairs to create effective masonry beams, allowed these loads to be evenly distributed to protect the bresummer.

The solid-walled front elevation brickwork was reconnected to cross walls, using the unique Twistfix 450mm long helical drive-pins, and to the flooring diagphram using a series of lateral restraint ties

Some areas of masonry were damaged beyond repair and these were painstakingly removed before being rebuilt using reclaimed materials to match the existing aesthetic of the historic building and preserve its heritage. Now completed, the project has restored structural integrity and aesthetic appeal to the property in a non-disruptive and cost-effective way.

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