Cost of replacing external wall ties

SharingIsCaring

I live in a 2 story terraced house built in 1904. Our decorator advised us the front & rear external walls were moving away from the building due and to the wall ties corroding so the ties will need replaced.

Am I correct in thinking the floor boards will need lifted in all first floor rooms so new ties can be fixed to the floor joists? The length of the house is approx 8 metres. Could the tradesman get away with using a mobile scaffold tower instead of scaffolding front & rear of the property?

I assume a structural engineer will need to work out the number of ties required and where they go. Should I get the engineers report myself or is this something the tradesman will organise? And talking of tradesmen, would it be a builder, stonemason or other who will carry out the repair?

Any idea how much this is likely to cost? I know my next door neighbour has same problem so it makes sense for him to get the repairs done at the same time. However, if he refuses, will this have an impact on any repairs I carry out? House on the other side seems ok.

Many thanks for any advice.

phil24_7

I would speak to a structural engineer first. They will be able to advise you if there is a problem and how to rectify it, all backed up with insurance.

Furts

A decorator is unlikely to be qualified to judge structural movement.

A 1904 house is unlikely to have wall ties because cavity walls were, generally, introduced years later than this.

In a terrace you have to consider what your neighbours walls are like - have they experienced problems, and if so what did they do about it? Equally can you do much repairing without impacting on their walls?

Sit back, work out if you have a problem, identify what wall construction you have, talk to your neighbours, then move forward.

Ed_Ikal

Check out the information on the wall tie federation installers website
You will find a list of accredited installers, how to get a 25 year warranty on work carried out
Also listed on this website is an independent surveyor of wall ties - Steven Bennett. - he specialises in inspection and reporting on condition wall ties and can recommend the scope of the work that may need doing. Good luck!