Cavity wall ties are crucial components in most brick built buildings. When they require replacement, householders and other building owners can call on Warrington based specialists GUD Developments to get the job done.
What Are Cavity Wall Ties?
For many decades, buildings made of bricks have been constructed with two layers, an inner wall and an outer wall, with a cavity in between. Two layers of bricks make the building much stronger than it would otherwise be. The function of the cavity is to form a gap between thee two layers of bricks. The air trapped in the cavity has an insulating effect, keeping the interior of the building warm. Separating the two layers also prevents rain water from soaking through the outer layer and affecting the inner structure of the building. The down side of having two separate ‘leaves’ as they are called to the wall is that the outer ‘leaf’ is separated from the inner structure and is thus unsupported. Over time, the outer wall is weakened by weather and other forces until it eventually collapses under its own weight.
Cavity wall ties are strips of metal or other materials which bridge the gap between the two leaves. They support the outer wall and thus the structure of the building. The replacement of wall ties in Warrington buildings must be handled by qualified professionals.
How Do Wall Ties Work?
Wall ties are shaped somewhat like a cartoon dog bone. They have a thin strip in the middle, usually with a twist in it, and a loop or wider area at each end. The twist is there so that any water which passes through the outer leaf and runs along the tie will not reach the inside of the wall, but will drip harmlessly into the cavity.
The ends of the ties are anchored between the bricks of the inner and outer leaves of the wall. Thus, the ties act like stitches in a garment, holding the wall together. Have you heard the expression, “A stitch in time saves nine”? Well, prompt replacement of broken wall ties is essential in Warrington buildings. The ties ‘stitch’ the leaves together, transferring the weight of the outer wall onto the strong inner structure of the building. But if one tie fails due to corrosion, this puts additional strain on the remaining ties, and the wall can start to collapse.
How is the Replacement of Wall Ties Handled in Warrington?
Warrington home owners do well to have their wall ties inspected regularly and order their replacement when necessary. GUD Developments are a family firm of builders from the Warrington area who specialize in the inspection and replacement of cavity wall ties. First, they locate the ties in the wall using a metal detector. Then, a brick is carefully removed so that the tie can be inspected. If the tie is corroded and replacement is necessary, GUD Developments have all the skills to conduct the necessary repairs. Please see our website for more details
