Mr Vincent, Pen-y-Cae

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Location

Pen Y Cae, Port Talbot

Client/Company Name

Mr. Vincent

Services Required

Structural Repairs, Installing Helifix HD bow ties and helibeams.

Initial Problem

The client’s property was suffering from cracking and outward bulging in its external walls. This was due to movement within the property’s structure. Our PCA qualified surveyor (CSRT) undertook a property survey and Wall Tie report at the property to identify the cause of the cracks in the external walls. It was evident that the property had suffered from historic movement, resulting in external and internal cracking to its right hand side elevation. The movement had been caused by historic settlement.

Solutions Used

Having completed a property survey and wall tie inspection of the property, using specialist borescope inspection cameras to see inside the wall cavities, it was concluded that the RHS elevation had lost its lateral support, allowing for movement in the internal and external walls, causing cracking. It was recommended that a course of action be taken to reinforce the structural integrity of the RHS elevation. White Rock Property Care are trained to correctly use and install Helifix products & as such, we recommended using Helifix HD Bow ties and Heli-beams.

Outcome

White Rock Property Care’s surveyor’s identified where the cracks were originating from and identified the point to install a course of Helifix HD Bowties. In doing so, we successfully re-established the lateral support the property required, ensuring that the internal and external walls stayed together, eliminating the risk of future movement. Furthermore, we also recommended several Helibeams were installed at strategic points, including above a landing window on the first floor and along an existing ground level extension. The Helibeam System uses pairs of long HeliBars bonded into mortar beds to form deep masonry beams that reinforce and stabilise existing masonry while redistributing the structural loads. This is a cost effective solution to reinforcing structural integrity of properties, without the need of underpinning/rebuilding existing structures.