Common Causes Of Damaged Concrete

Common Causes Of Damaged Concrete

Common Causes Of Damaged Concrete, Concrete is a durable and versatile building material, but it's not indestructible. Over time, concrete can be damaged by a variety of factors.

At London Structural Repairs, we’ve dealt with plenty of concrete walls and floors that have become damaged over time. Out of all the projects that we’ve worked on, there are some types of concrete damage that are more common than others.

Here are three common causes of concrete damage and how to prevent them:

1. Water Concrete  Damage

Water is one of the biggest enemies of concrete. When water seeps into concrete, it can cause a number of problems, including:

  • Cracking: Water can weaken the concrete, making it more susceptible to cracking.
  • Spalling: This is when the surface of the concrete starts to chip and flake off.
  • Corrosion of reinforcing steel: If the concrete is reinforced with steel, water can cause the steel to rust. This can weaken the concrete and cause it to crack.

How to prevent water damage:

  • Seal the concrete: Applying a sealant to the surface of the concrete can help to prevent water from penetrating.
  • Repair cracks promptly: Any cracks in the concrete should be repaired as soon as possible.
  • Install gutters and downspouts: This will help to direct water away from the foundation of your building.
  • Grade the soil around your foundation: This will help to prevent water from pooling around your foundation.

2. Freeze-Thaw Cycles

In cold climates, concrete can be damaged by freeze-thaw cycles. When water seeps into the concrete and then freezes, it expands. This expansion can cause the concrete to crack.

How to prevent freeze-thaw damage:

  • Seal the concrete: As mentioned above, sealing the concrete can help to prevent water from penetrating.
  • Use air-entraining concrete: This type of concrete contains tiny air bubbles that help to prevent damage from freeze-thaw cycles.
  • Insulate the concrete: Insulating the concrete can help to protect it from the cold.

3. Chemical Concrete Damage

Concrete can also be damaged by chemicals, such as acid rain, de-icing salts, and fertilisers. These chemicals can react with the concrete and cause it to weaken and deteriorate.

How to prevent chemical damage:

  • Seal the concrete: As mentioned above, sealing the concrete can help to protect it from chemicals.
  • Clean up spills promptly: If any chemicals spill on the concrete, clean them up immediately.
  • Use de-icing products that are safe for concrete.

By taking steps to prevent these three common causes of concrete damage, you can help extend the life of your concrete structures.

If you have concrete that has become damaged over time, it’s important to get the experts to help you conduct any repairs. If you’d like to talk to our team about your project, get in touch with us today.

 

 

Historic buildings

Historic Buildings The Advantages of Helifix

Historic buildings are an important part of our heritage. They tell the story of our past and provide a connection to our ancestors. However, these buildings can be susceptible to damage and decay over time. That's where Helifix comes in. Helifix is a specialist structural repair system that’s ideal for use in historic building conservation projects.

At London Structural Repairs, we use Helifix products on a range of our projects, especially when we are working on older buildings that require that extra bit of care. From cracking to lintel repairs, there are many reasons why we choose to use their products.

The Challenges of Working on Historic Buildings

Working on historic buildings can be challenging. These buildings are often complex and fragile, and any repairs must be carried out with care. Traditional repair methods can be disruptive and time-consuming. They may also damage the original fabric of the building, which is something we avoid at all costs.

The Advantages of Using Helifix

Helifix offers several advantages over traditional repair methods. Here are some of the key benefits that we find especially important with the projects we are working on:

  • Minimally invasive: Helifix systems are designed to be minimally invasive, meaning that they can be installed with minimal disruption to the fabric of the building. This is particularly important for historic buildings, which may be fragile and sensitive to damage.
  • Durable and long-lasting: Helifix systems are made from high-quality materials that are designed to last. This means that they can provide a long-term solution to structural problems, without the need for frequent repairs or replacements.
  • Versatile: Helifix systems can be used to repair a wide range of structural problems, including cracks, subsidence, and wall tie failure. This makes them ideal for use in historic buildings, which may have a variety of structural issues.
  • Aesthetically pleasing: Helifix systems can be installed in a way that is sympathetic to the original fabric of the building. This means that they can be used to repair historic buildings without compromising their appearance.
  • Cost-effective: Helifix systems can be a cost-effective way to repair historic buildings. This is because they are often less expensive than traditional repair methods, such as rebuilding or replacing damaged sections of the building.
  • Environmentally friendly: Helifix systems can be a more environmentally friendly way to repair historic buildings. This is because they often require less materials and energy to install than traditional repair methods.

If you are considering repairing  historic buildings, Helifix is a great option. It is a cost-effective, durable, and environmentally friendly solution that can help to preserve our heritage for future generations.

Warning Signs of Bowing Walls

Warning Signs of Bowing Walls: What Should You Look For?

Bowing walls are a serious structural issue that can lead to significant damage to your property if left untreated. It's important to be able to identify the warning signs of bowing walls so that you can take action to prevent further damage.

What is a bowing wall?

A bowing wall is a wall that is leaning away from the building. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Foundation problems: If the foundation of your home is settling unevenly, it can cause the walls to bow.
  • Water damage: Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of your walls and cause them to bow.
  • Poor construction: If your home is not built properly, the walls may be more susceptible to bowing.

Warning signs of bowing walls

There are several warning signs to look out for if you’re concerned that your walls may be bowing. These include:

  • Cracks in the walls: Cracks in the walls are a common sign of bowing. The cracks may be small or large, and they may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
  • Doors and windows that stick: If your doors and windows are sticking, it could be a sign that the walls are bowing.
  • Gaps between the walls and ceiling: If you see gaps between the walls and ceiling, it could be a sign that the walls are bowing.
  • Visible bowing: In some cases, you may be able to see the bowing of the walls with your own eyes.

What to do if you think your walls are bowing:

If you think your walls may be bowing, it is important to act immediately. You should contact a professional structural engineer to assess the damage and recommend a course of action.

A structural engineer will be able to determine the cause of the bowing and recommend the best way to repair it. In some cases, the repair may be as simple as replacing a few bricks or boards. In other cases, it may be necessary to underpin the foundation or replace the entire wall.

If you’d like to talk in further detail about your walls, our team at London Structural Repairs would be happy to chat.

Preventing bowing walls

There are steps you can take to prevent your walls from bowing. These include:

  • Regularly inspect your home for signs of damage
  • Keep your gutters and downspouts clean and clear
  • Make sure your foundation is properly graded to allow water to drain away from your home
  • Consider installing a sump pump to remove water from your basement

By taking these steps, you can help to protect your home from the damaging effects of bowing walls.

Lime Mortar Pointing Expert

Lime Mortar Pointing Experts

London Structural Repairs are specialised Lime Mortar Pointing Experts.

What you may not realise about building work is that along with the more modern approaches to construction, there are also traditional methods that were used to build and maintain properties. One particular method that we will have seen in the past and still see now is lime mortar pointing. So, what is lime pointing and why has it been used in building work over the years?

Why was lime used?

Traditional mass-masonry walls, such as what we see in pre 1919 homes would have very much worked on the basis that any moisture that enters the wall, has the chance to escape as easily as possible. One material that has known to be able to do this the best is lime. This is because they have an interconnected pore structure, which means that the water vapour and water can travel with ease and make its way back out.

This is compared to those walls made of cement, which are more closed and will trap water within the wall and make it much harder for the water to escape. Of course, in modern times, homes are designed in such a way that concrete is fine to be used for the construction, however, those homes that pre-date 1919 are going to have lime mortar already in them and therefore any repairs need to be carried out using lime-pointing.

Why might you need lime mortar pointing Expert repairs?

There are a number of reasons why you might need to book in for lime pointing Expert repairs on your property. However there are two main ones that we see. The first one is that the lime pointing that was originally put in place has decayed over time and the time has come for it to be replaced. Mortar can decay over time due to weathering or sometimes due to poor maintenance. You can often find that blocked gutters or overflow pipes can cause damage to the masonry work and then require repairs.
You may also need to arrange for repairs if the masonry within the property has already been re-pointed, with the use of a cement based mortar which is often the case in London.

If you live in a period property then you know that you are going to need to make sure that any repair work that you have carried out on it, fits in with the traditional style and design. This means that you are going to be on the hunt for an expert who understands what it takes to best utilise some of these traditional materials and methods for the best interests of the building.

We are lime mortar pointing Experts, so if you live in an older property and want to ensure that you protect the look and charm of the building, then why not get in touch with us?

 

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Diagnosing Building Cracks

Diagnosing Building Cracks

Diagnosing Building Cracks

Discovering a crack in a building is never something that you are going to want to discover, they are not only unsightly (and will require covering) they are also a sign that there is a bigger problem. You don’t only need to fix the crack itself, but, at the same time you need to look into why it has happened and fix that. 

Many cracks that develop in a property will be superficial and they shouldn’t cause too much of a  problem. However, this isn’t always the case and there can be times when a crack is severe and needs urgent and necessary repair work to be carried out, especially before it gets any worse. 

Where can you usually find these cracks?

The reason that a crack will usually appear in a property is because there has been a build up of stress within the structure. The crack is where the weakness is and will be a build up and a release of the stress. They can happen anywhere in your home. 

Diagnosing Building Cracks can be daunting, so why not give us a call to take care of it for you.

Why might they be happening?

As we have already discussed, the main reason that a crack will appear is because there is some element of stress on a property. However, we can dig down deeper into this to identify actual causes of the stress.

The main ones are:

  • Damp damage
  • Decaying or crushed internal timber that is important to the properties structure 
  • Tree roots 
  • Adjacent walls becoming unstable 
  • A lack of good foundation
  • Changes in temperature
  • Issues caused by wind
  • Road traffic vibrations
  • Damaged drains

 

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How can you tell if a crack is severe or not?

The main way that a crack is diagnosed and its severity identified is by looking at the width of the crack. A crack will usually be split into 5 different groups, each of which will require a different approach or solution to be taken.

  • A negligible crack- this type of crack will be a hairline crack and will have a width that is less than a millimetre. They are not very nice to look at, but they are not too severe and can mostly be treated simply by redecorating the area. 
  • A slight crack- Next up is a slight crack, and this is usually due to structural movement over time. This crack will be between 1mm and 5mm wide and will often be fixed by filling any open voids and then redecorating the interior. The exterior of the property will also need to be repointed too. 
  • A moderate crack- If the crack measures between 5mm and 15mm then it is called as a moderate crack and building work is going to be needed. They will be able to identify the cause of the crack as well as the best way to treat it. There is more likely to be a complex reason behind these types of cracks and they will likely affect a wider area.
  • A severe crack- One thing that you are not going to want to hear is that you have a severe crack in your wall. These will be as big as 35mm wide and there is going to be the need to carry our extensive structural repair work. Usually requiring the replacement of the affected sections within the building. You will often find that a severe crack will also have smaller cracks around them.
  • A very severe crack- Finally you have the highest level that can be given to a crack. If the crack is over 25mm then it fits in this bracket and it means that there is severe structural damage to the property and that there is going to be major repair work. This could be partial or complete rebuilding with structural underpinning to help with any instability too. 

The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to cracks in your home is that no matter how small they seem; you need to make sure that you are getting them looked at by a professional, so that you won’t end up with a much bigger problem in the future. 

Contact London Structural Repairs to Diagnosing Building Cracks and to repair them for you for a hassle free professional service.

 

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subsidence in london

Subsidence in London the common causes

Subsidence in London is an extremely common problem that haunts millions of home owners in London. With significant damages to the foundation of the structure as one of its most common consequences, subsidence can be caused by a number of different reasons. 

Interested in learning more about the natural and man-made causes of subsidence? Read on to find out as we tell you some of the most common causes of subsidence and how our professionals at London Structural Repairs can help mitigate the risk associated with it. 

Natural Causes of Subsidence in London

While there are plenty of different natural causes of subsidence that results in damage to houses in London, the most common culprit remains the expansion of cohesive soils. Clay and other cohesive soils are known to expand and shrink based on their moisture content. This affects the structures that are built on them. Since the weather conditions of London vary significantly, it goes without saying that the composition of these cohesive soils can also change drastically, leaving structures damaged. 

Soil decomposition and washing away of soils is another extremely common natural cause of subsidence in London. Even though non-cohesive soils are not prone to shrinkage and expansion like their cohesive counterparts, they are still susceptible to being washed away causing problems to buildings that may be built on them. What’s more, the decomposition of certain natural soils can cause movement of the ground, resulting in significant problems. 

Other Causes of Subsidence in London

In addition to the natural causes mentioned above, other factors can be involved in subsidence in London as well.  Leaky drains are a common culprit, causing the ground to soften considerably resulting in subsidence. If the problem remains undetected or unresolved for long, the ground may even be washed away, resulting in damaged foundations in buildings. 

Construction work in nearby areas and heavy traffic are also to blame for subsidence in London. Since both construction work and dense traffic can cause the ground to move constantly for extended periods of time, it is common for problems like subsidence to occur. 

While subsidence can cause numerous problems including cracked walls and weakened structures, you’ll be glad to know that most damages are reversible. By hiring the services of a professional service like London Structural Repairs, you will not only be able to assess the damage done, but experts in the field will also be able to present you with a variety of solutions that you can choose from. 

Interested in learning more about the available options to repair damages caused by subsidence? Give London Structural Repairs a call at 020 8936 7699 to find out how we can help with your problem.

 

 

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building repair

Building Repair Expert? Why Is It Important to Hire a Professional

Building Repair Experts

Whether you own a residential building or an office space, Building Repair and maintenance  are imperative for all types of buildings, especially, if you are really interested in keeping them looking at their best for years to come.

Without building repair services, even the smallest of problems can quickly escalate and get out of hand, forcing you to spend a fortune on repairs and renovation. You could’ve easily avoided these had you considered timely maintenance at the right time.

As unfortunate as it sounds, the vast majority of people refuse to take building repair and maintenance services into account, causing the building to deteriorate sooner than it should. In this post, however, we will convince you about the benefits that a professional building repairs service really offers, and all of the reasons why you should consider hiring one for your buildings in London.

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Optimized Resource Allocation

The number one reason why people do not hire building repair services is because they believe that it is a waste of money, and that the tasks can easily be taken on by their employees. Unfortunately, this is a very narrow-minded approach, and essentially trivializes the time and effort that building maintenance professionals spend on the tasks that are assigned to them.

As professionals of the field, building maintenance experts do not only know how to inspect each aspect of the building, but they also know how to allocate resources efficiently and effectively, ensuring optimization.

Timely Repairs

As mentioned above, it doesn’t take long for even the minutest of repairs to be aggravated, resulting in damages that will not only cost a fortune, but also cause plenty of downtime. However, when a professional building repair services is hired, this very problem can be avoided in its entirety, leaving you with a building or property that’s always up to the mark.

With professionals of a building repair service paying regular visits to you building time and again, it goes without saying that all problems and areas that need repair will be noticed in a timely manner, preventing them from getting worse.

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Seamless Experience

Needless to say, when a professional  is hired for your residential properties or office spaces in London, you are not only bound to get a seamless experience, but all problems will also be dealt with in a highly professional manner. Additionally, if repairs are to be made to the building, they will be taken care of in such a way that it looks good as new.

Convinced of the benefits of hiring a professional building repair services? Give London Structural Repairs a call today at 020 8936 7699 today to find out the different ways in which our team of professionals can help you with building repairs and maintenance and all kinds of repairs!

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Stone Damage

Common Reasons for Stone Damage

Stone damage is one of the most common problems that home owners in London and surrounding areas have to experience. Since stone structures are known for having an incredibly sophisticated and elegant look, even the most minute damages can affect the property considerably when it comes to buildings that are made primarily of stone. 

Despite the various reasons that can contribute to the deterioration of stone structures, you will be glad to know that the damage is – in most cases – completely reversible, which means that professional services like London Structural Repairs can leave your buildings looking good as new. 

Interested in learning more about the most common reasons for stone damage in London and how our professionals at London Structural repairs can help? Read on as we let you in on three of the most common reasons why stone damage occurs and how we can help.

 

 

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Crystallisation of Salts

It doesn’t come as a surprise to many that stone structures often have salts in their pores and openings. Contrary to popular belief, however, the crystallization of these salts can prove to be highly detrimental to the surface of the stone structure, leaving it with visible cracks and seams, affecting the look of the stone structure or building in an extremely negative way.

 

Dissolution 

While many people fail to take this into consideration, certain types of stones including marbles, limestone, and dolostone can be affected by acid rain which has unfortunately become a common occurrence in most cities. When in contact with water that has been mixed with acidic elements or compounds, structures or buildings that have been created using any of the aforementioned stones or other carbonate stones will begin to deteriorate and lose their lustre and shine as a result of dissolution. 

In certain cases, cracks and seams, too, can start forming on the structure, leaving it dull and unattractive. However, by consulting a professional service like London Structural Repairs, you can have the surface of your stone structure repaired. Furthermore, our professionals will also be able to help you deal with hidden damages that may not be as prominent.

 

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Why is it important to get the Structural Repairs carried out by a specialist?

As a home owner it is important to try and get any structural repair works to your property carried out by a specialist company, because it will save you time and money as a lot of the drawings supplied by a structural engineer can be quit complicated and hard to understand especially for a general builder who has not had any training in modern remedial repair systems.

If you have recently purchased a property or are in the process of buying one and would like help in understanding any structural defects on the property or if you would like a quotation then please contact London Structural Repairs one of Londons leading specialists structural repair companies.

 

Human Contact

Another reason that most people fail to take into consideration is human contact with stone buildings. Regular human contact such as walking on marble floors etc is known to deteriorate the look of stone buildings and structures. Additionally, stone structures are often more easily damaged with sharp objects compared to concrete structures, leaving them with visible lines and cracks that take away from the elegant cv finish of the stone structure. 

Fortunately for many, companies like London Structural Repairs have a team of experts that can help with any kind of stone damage. Leveraging the latest tools and techniques, our experts can not only improve the look of your stone buildings, but also deal with cracks, seams, and other stone structure problems in a professional manner, leaving your buildings looking good as new. 

 

Interested in stone repairs? Give us a call at 020 8936 7699 today to find out how we can help!

 

 

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Structural Survey

Structural survey Benefits

What is a structural survey?

A structural survey is carried out by a firm of structural engineers. It consists of a detailed inspection from the top to the bottom of a building looking at all aspects of the building structure, for example: the condition of the roof, the types of materials used, possible areas of concern, damage to brick or stonework and damp related issues. A structural survey is the most comprehensive type of building surveys, they find potential problems and building defects which will then be put into a detailed structural survey report identifying any problems found and then a specialist structural repair company can carry out the repairs.

London Structural Repairs work closely with Structural Surveyors and engineers to help solve any defects your property may have.

 

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Why is a structural survey important?

A Structural survey is important for finding out what problems you have with your building, for example, if you are looking to buy a new house as an investment or to live in you may want to consider having a structural surveys carried out if: the property is of a Victorian or Edwardian period, the property is expensive, the property is more than 2 stories high, you can clearly see the property needs structural repair works i.e if it is showing signs of any cracking or movement, if the property is of an unusual construction i.e timber framed, or if you are intending on carrying out any major alterations to the property. A structural survey may help you decide whether you wish to purchase the property as is will give you an indication on how much you would need to spend in order to fix the problems.

 

What is a Structural Engineers Report?

Structural engineers reports are carried out by a chartered structural or civil engineer, they identify, evaluate and give recommendations to the homeowners on any problems with the foundation or the structure of their home. Within this report such problems may be uncovered: if soil erosion has occurred, if your buildings foundation is poorly constructed, or if any wood is present which may create future problems as rotting is possible.

 

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Why is it important to get the Structural Repairs carried out by a specialist?

As a home owner it is important to try and get any structural repair works to your property carried out by a specialist company, because it will save you time and money as a lot of the drawings supplied by a structural engineer can be quit complicated and hard to understand especially for a general builder who has not had any training in modern remedial repair systems.

If you have recently purchased a property or are in the process of buying one and would like help in understanding any structural defects on the property or if you would like a quotation then please contact London Structural Repairs one of Londons leading specialists structural repair companies.

 

 

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Victorian Bay Window Cracks

Victorian Bay Window Cracks

Victorian Bay Window Cracks can be a serious cause for concern

Victorian Bay Window cracks. While Victorian houses may be easily recognizable due to their unique architecture and designs, people often can’t tell bay windows apart from normal windows. Unlike normal windows, bay windows bulge outwards from the structure of the building or house. These windows are given the name bay windows because of the fact that they form an architectural ‘bay’ or a compartment which is present between architectural elements.

History of Victorian Bay Windows

The Building Act, passed in 1894, brought with it a lot of changes to the way in which buildings could be constructed. One of the most prominent changes which the Act brought was that it wasn’t necessary for windows to be in line with the rest of the structure of a building anymore.
Following the Act, manufacturers in the Victorian era took advantage of the aforementioned change. Creating bay windows, these manufacturers made the houses built after the passing of the act appear to be much larger than they actually were.
Victorian bay windows also allowed much more light to enter the house, compared to normal windows, and started being used by people of the era as an alternative to balconies.

 

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What Causes Cracks in Victorian Bay Windows?

Much like any other type of window, cracks in Victorian bay windows are also a very common defect. However, unlike normal windows which are in line with the structure of the building, Victorian bay window cracks often have different reasons.

Most victorian bay windows was the last thing to be built on the property as the builders used the opening to bring all the materials through the property and then dug shallow foundations then built the bay window but most are not tied in properly at the junctions between the bays and the properties main walls.

Another common cause for Victorian bay window cracks is when the old wooden window frames and glass are replaced with new PVC windows. Most PVC windows are not strong enough to take the load bearings of the bays, so the window company should install bay poles to take the load but Unfortunately it is all too common for companies to leave these out which then causes damage and cracking to masonry and in some instances causing the glass in the windows to crack.

Cracks can appear in Victorian bay windows is because of poor installation. Since bay windows do not have proper foundations like the rest of the building, it takes them much longer to settle than other areas of the house. If the window is not attached to the building properly, you will notice several cracks on or around it.

Another cause of bay window cracks in Victorian style houses is movement. Since these windows are essentially just an extension of the building itself, if there is a lot of movement in the bay or near the bay window, there is a high possibility that cracks will begin to appear around the window.
Since they are comparatively much more vulnerable, Victorian bay window crack repairs are one of the major concerns of owners of Victorian style homes. Victorian bay window cracks repairs are extremely necessary too and cracks on or around bay windows should be addressed immediately since they have the potential of damaging the rest of the house at an unprecedented rate.

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If you, too, need Victorian bay window cracks repaired, head over to London Structural Repairs for the services of one of Londons best and most professional companies.