Wall tie replacement before rendering in Folkestone.
At this approximately 100-year-old detached property in Folkestone, wall tie replacement is being carried out ahead of a new external render coat. The house stands on a small coastal cliff, approximately 50 metres from the sea. The timing matters: leaving the original corroding ties untreated would not only compromise the stability of the building but also risk extensive cracking returning through the new render.
Survey evidence. Removal of the existing render exposed original wall ties with heavy corrosion and significant deterioration. The close-up photograph of a removed section of old wall tie shows thick layers of rust, delamination and separation.
As well as age salt-laden moisture is a plausible contributor at such an exposed coastal location, although the photograph alone cannot establish the cause of the corrosion. As steel ties corrode, the resulting rust expands. Where ties are embedded in mortar joints, that expansion can force the masonry apart and produce horizontal cracking through the external render. Applying a fresh render coat does not resolve the underlying problem.
Remedial work. Our work covers the front elevation. New stainless steel resin bound helical wall ties are being installed in positions staggered from the originals to restore the connection between the two leaves of the cavity wall. The original corroded ties within the treated area are also being located and isolated to prevent their continued expansion damaging the outer masonry. Final making good and the new render coat are being undertaken by others.
Photographic record. The photograph provides a clear record of the deterioration found in an original tie removed during the work. It illustrates why the tie condition needed attention before the wall received its new finish.
Result Carrying out the wall tie replacement and isolation before rendering addresses the known defect while the masonry is accessible. It reduces the risk of corrosion-related cracking spoiling the new finish and of having to reopen freshly rendered areas for remedial work.
For homeowners planning to renew cracked render, a specialist wall tie survey can establish whether the original ties need attention before the new coating is applied. Read more about our wall tie replacement work.