Wall Tie Replacement Specialists - Scotland

Wise Property Care are experts in property preservation, and can provide advice on the condition of your property’s wall ties through our thorough survey process. If we find any problems with the wall ties we can provide recommendations for repairs - but only if they are necessary.

Wall ties often require structural repairs due to the type of wall tie, age, deterioration and other environmental factors. Wise Property Care have been providing assistance for decades. Should you notice signs of structural damage on your property you should carry out repairs immediately to prevent further problems at a later date.

Wise Property Care are approved installers of Helifix and Cintec structural products and have experience of working with structural engineers across Scotland. No matter where you are in Scotland, we can provide you with wall tie solutions, typically backed by long term guarantees.

A cavity wall tie is an unseen metal or composite strip that is used to connect the outer and inner leaves together, creating a cavity between them. This provides stability as the two walls are tied together and act as a single structural unit, especially against environmental factors like wind. If ties corrode, fail or are never installed the wall loses its stability, and can lead to structural movement or even collapse. 

Before the 1920s, buildings were mainly constructed with solid walls - which do not have wall ties, and are common across Scotland today. However if your property is built after 1920 cavity wall ties have become standard as they offer protection against moisture transfer between the two leaves, and can improve thermal insulation.

Different types of wall ties have been used over the years, original ‘fishtail ties’ were made from mild steel or iron and embedded directly into the mortar. More modern ties are typically stainless steel providing better resistance to rust and corrosion. Older wall ties when exposed to moisture or salty air can corrode and expand in the mortar joints, causing cracking, lifting and bulging.

Despite cavity wall ties being hidden within the fabric of the wall, if your property is experiencing wall tie issues, there are some common signs that indicate wall tie failure.

If you notice any of these signs of wall tie failure, you may require immediate attention through a wall tie survey to fully investigate the extent of the problem, and if applicable, provide recommendations for remedial repairs.

If you're worried about cracking or bowing on your walls and would like a professional to provide advice, Wise Property Care are here to help through our expert wall tie surveys. A professional wall tie survey by a qualified professional is crucial before any replacement is considered, in order to fully understand the problem. 

One of our local surveyors will check the condition of your wall ties, the density of existing ties and assess the extent of the damage to the masonry. They will compile their findings into a survey report with a full assessment of the condition of the property, any noticeable building defects that might be causing problems. If you require wall tie replacements, this will be detailed in the survey report, with the scale and scope of remedial wall tie repairs detailed, along with the long term guarantee, if applicable.

Surveyors are equipped with a metal detector to identify the location and the amount of wall ties located across the property. They should be spaced in accordance with building regulations, and if ties are missing this will be noted. Surveyors will be required to drill inspection holes under the wall tie, and use an endoscope to assess the condition of the tie.

The tie is then compared using Building Research Establishment digest 401 - which contains nine classifications of wall tie conditions, to determine if the tie needs to be replaced.

This will depend on the size of the building, the amount of wall ties in question and if there is full access. Surveyors will need to drill holes and may even need to remove bricks to fully assess ties, which can cause the survey to take longer. For a typical Scottish property it can take between an hour and two hours, but can vary depending on factors.

For remedial repairs, we typically use stainless steel wall ties, which are available in differing lengths to suit all cavity widths.

Depending on the situation, there are other options available, including resin, mechanical drive ties or socked ties. This will depend on the type and condition of masonry and brickwork. All newly installed wall ties incorporate a drip detail to prevent water transmission across the cavity.

If you require remedial wall tie replacement, Wise Property Care can be trusted to carry out expert repairs from start to finish, leaving your property structurally sound for the foreseeable future. Typically our wall tie replacement process will involve marking the location of existing ties for removal or isolation, before installing new wall ties in line with building regulations. We will then carry out a pull test in order to confirm a strong bond. The drill holes are then covered, in order to preserve the facade of your property. Any existing large section wall ties are isolated or extracted to prevent further corrosion.

Sometimes wall ties have severely corroded and caused bowing of walls or severe cracking, which may require crack stitching, lateral restraints or lintel repair services. Wise Property Care can also carry out these repairs, and if they are required will be detailed in the survey report. Our wall tie replacements are typically backed by a 20-year guarantee, meaning your walls are safe and secure long term.

With branches across Scotland, we are the go to experts for structural repairs and wall tie replacements.

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  How much does it cost to replace cavity wall ties?

  Wall tie costs for repairs will depend on the size and type of property, and the extent of the problem. Sometimes scaffolding may be required for full access to external walls. If you have wall tie problems a survey will provide answers to whether to require repairs, and the costs involved.

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  How urgent is wall tie replacement?

  If wall tie failure is confirmed, replacements should be carried out urgently - as it can potentially lead to instability and even collapse. Sometimes if urgent repairs are required you may have symptoms such as bowing walls and horizontal crack - indicating you should call in specialists as soon as possible.

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  What are the building regulations for cavity wall ties?

  In Scotland, the building regulations for cavity wall ties require a minimum density of 2.5 ties per square metre, with maximum horizontal and vertical spacing of 900mm and 450mm, respectively. But this can vary depending on property location, height and wind loadings, hence the need for a specialist survey to design the correct repair.

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  Can you replace wall ties yourself?

  Replacing wall ties can be complex, as existing ties may need to be isolated, or removed all together if they are severely compromised. It requires specialist equipment, working at heights, and if incorrectly carried out could lead to structural instability or collapse.

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  What is the lifespan of a wall tie?

  In the right conditions modern wall ties can last for decades, Wise Property Care guarantee wall tie repairs for up to 20 years, indicating the longevity of remedial wall tie work. If wall ties are exposed to moisture, or in the past were poorly constructed or installed incorrectly, this can cause them to corrode and fail prematurely. In Scotland, especially along the coast, where there is high humidity and wind driven rain, wall ties are susceptible to problems.

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  What happens if cavity wall ties fail?

  When a wall tie fails it will compromise the structural integrity of the wall, and can lead to cracking horizontally, and in severe cases lead to walls bowing and bulging. If the wall tie corrodes to the point where it comes loose from the masonry, it can lead to loose bricks and mortar falling away, and exposing the cavity and internal leaf of brickwork to moisture penetration. On occasions, severe wall tie failure can lead to walls collapsing, creating a serious safety risk.