What Causes Masonry Walls to Bow, Bulge or Buckle?

Brickwork can move out of plane due to the following.

• Repeated cycles of wind pressure and suction may cause a wall to bow.
• The eccentricity of vertical loads can cause walls to buckle.

How is Lateral Restraint added to Existing Walls?

For centuries, tie-rods and pattress plates have been commonplace in stabilising bowing walls. The spreader plate takes the load. The repair is intrusive and unsightly.

Modern repair methods use a series of lightweight ties. Smaller anchors in more significant numbers spread the loads along the entire wall length. This system stabilises bulging brickwork, adding lateral restraint with little disturbance to the building or its occupants.

Ties for wall-to-floor connections.

Lateral restraint ties are very long drive screws. Install the stainless-steel anchors through the wall and into the flooring diaphragm. Screw them into at least two ceiling joists for a firm anchorage. Fix the tie's masonry end with a construction adhesive. The lower-strength brickwork connection governs the tie's tensile performance.

Ties for wall junctions.

Where the façade of a building is bulging, it is likely separating from walls running at right angles to it. Cracks may be visible at cross-wall partitions or party wall junctions. Use long spiral anchors to reconnect and strengthen wall junctions. You can fix long ties with an adhesive or utilise the dry-fixing action of a helical drive-tie.

Twistfix supplies various kits for restraining bulging walls. Please phone us for expert technical advice. You can order lateral restraint ties by phone or buy them online. We offer a fast UK delivery service.

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