Bowed external stone wall

[gobuddygo]

Step daughter has put an offer in on a small stone built Victorian house, the outside side wall is bowed, I would think about 15 inches out of true at the worst point.

A structural surveyor is coming to have a look on Friday. Just wondering what the best and worse scenarios could be.

[rudecherub]

Best would be it's been like that for a hundred years and isn't going anywhere...

[Autopilot]

Worst would be it's been like that for a hundred years and is going to go any moment soon

[wolf1]

Probably just a case of anchoring it in it's existing position with those big bars that run through the house and have a big disc on the end of them (can you tell I can't remember what they are called )

[JR]

rudecherub said:

Best would be it's been like that for a hundred years and isn't going anywhere...

15mm, probably.

[JR]

Autopilot said:

Worst would be it's been like that for a hundred years and is going to go any moment soon

Quite, 15" bulge and I'd be very worried. Budget to rebuild the wall and foundations.

I doubt that the bulge is that big. Let's see what your SE says.

[TooLateForAName]

How thick are the walls?

[gobuddygo]

Just an update on this - yes i know its been years - when the structural surveyor came at the time he recommended that wall ties were added spanning outer and inner wall and straps added tying the outer wall to the joists, building society happy with this and the work was done and sale proceeded.

Company that did the job gave a 10 year guarantee on their work, the outer wall has now moved further about an inch you can tell this by the gap around the bathroom window on the bowed wall, its moved away from the internal wall, no cracking of plaster so its not the internal wall.

Step daughter has had the original structural surveyor around today and he now recommends completely rebuilding the wall.

Just wondering what the view is on how she proceeds with this as she is looking to sell soon.

Cheers
Frank.

[TA14]

Is that a surveyor or structural engineer that you've used?

[V8RX7]

15" I would have thought it was obvious it needed rebuilding previously.

She has two choices - try to claim on the Gtee - which no doubt means that at best they will re tie it.

Or try to claim / sue them as it has moved too far to be re-tied.

I suspect the real solution is to bite the bullet and rebuild the wall yourselves.

[jason61c]

Its not their fault though is it? I guess it was done to a spec?

[gobuddygo]

Just confirmed with her it's a Structural Engineer who apparently works for the company who did the work, may need to get more details and she cant find the guarantee.

It wont sell as it is several viewers have mentioned it and have never been seen since.

[anonymous-user]

Sadly more complicated - is it still moving as evidenced by internal cracking, gaps between skirtings and floor edge etc? Exatc construction type, thickness of wall, height and position of bow all have a bearing on the recommendation. For a 15" bow the wall would have to be extremely thick to still be within the middle third rule although my personal view is that rule is all bks anyway as it depends on the construction and defect position and, as I have said, if it is still moving. Need a photo.

[TA14]

OK, what was the amount of movement originally? 15mm or 15"?

[gobuddygo]

15 inches, its a back to back thick stone walls will post pics tomorrow thanks for the replies

[anonymous-user]

gobuddygo said:

15 inches, its a back to back thick stone walls will post pics tomorrow thanks for the replies

Windsor Castle?

[Simpo Two]

How about those big round wall tie plate thingies? Could stop it going any further, and maybe crank it in half a turn once a week...?

[anonymous-user]

Simpo Two said:

How about those big round wall tie plate thingies? Could stop it going any further, and maybe crank it in half a turn once a week...?

It's a good theory but movement like that needs restraining in its current position and can't be reversed.

[C Lee Farquar]

V6Pushfit said:

It's a good theory but movement like that needs restraining in its current position and can't be reversed.

I thought the same.

But go and have a look and the farm shop at Limes Farm, Farthinghoe. Their builder managed to jack back a wall that looked like it was about to fall. He used a frame against the wall and numerous acrows as jacks

[anonymous-user]

C Lee Farquar said:

I thought the same.

But go and have a look and the farm shop at Limes Farm, Farthinghoe. Their builder managed to jack back a wall that looked like it was about to fall. He used a frame against the wall and numerous acrows as jacks

It can be done if the building is the crown jewels but the effect on other building elements such as internal walls, floors and the like can be disastrous.