There is a chance that you are thinking about what a survey of your wall tie is, and why you require one, or might be wondering what a tie is even a thing… In any scenario, before we get into the cavity wall tie report initial explanation, let us go over the fundamentals…

What is Cavity Wall Ties?

Wall ties are the unnoticed metal elements between cavity walls. They are incorporated inside the wall in the building process, and are an important element in the stability and security of the cavity wall.

Wall ties are used to join the internal and outer leaf, referring to the two parts that make up a wall cavity. they are used to span the cavity and connect the exterior and interior walls of blockwork or bricks together, and lock them on the mortar. The wall tie is a crucial element in the strength and stability of walls the cavity wall ties act as the necessary ‘lifeline’ to what is otherwise an unstable, independent structure instead, they join the two leaves making a single unit. They also stop water from flowing between the outer and inside of the leaves.

We now have a good understanding of the cavity wall ties and we can move forward…

What is a Cavity Wall Ties survey?

The wall tie survey could be described as a survey for specialists, that is where surveyors trained in the field assess how well the wall tie in a building can effectively tie the two leaves in a way and are serving their function.

Why do you require the Cavity Wall Tie Survey?

In older homes, tie made of metal may rust and anymore be able to complete their work effectively, placing at risk the structure as well. This is known as wall tie corrosion. If corrosion of the wall tie is suspected an inspection of the tie can be conducted as an extra measure to see whether there is a problem.

In older structures constructed in cavity that have wall ties, the deterioration on steel tie is both inevitable and inevitable and the longevity of ties based on the type of tieand its coat along with the chemical process that can promote corrosion, especially in homes with cavities for wall insulation as it traps moisture and water. For instance, the this kind of corrosion can happen in walls that are exposed to the elements. The existing ties need to be taken care of as persistent corrosion could lead to structural damage to structures. The corrosion could cause expansion of the metallic encased in the leaf that forms the outside that forms the walls. While a sudden failure is unlikely to occur, it is wise to correct the issue when it is discovered that the issue could alter the value and potential of the home. If the systems are identified prior to the damage has gotten too extensive, the walls could be repaired instead of being repaired. Insufficient ties within the cavity wall significantly reduces the strength and strength of the wall. its resistance to winds is reduced and the possibility of failure due to this reason is likely.

Corrosion of the wall tie usually suspect when there signs of movement within the structure. It could be evident through cracks in the wall an incline, or other signs that indicate the wall ties aren’t working as they should. It could be noticed by the homeowner or, more often, the result of an expert surveyor.

What exactly does an Wall Tie Survey involve?

The process of conducting an a wall tie survey usually requires between 1 and 3 hours after the surveyor arrives. However, the exact duration of the process can be contingent on a variety of variables such as whether the cavity is insulated with cavities or insulation for the walls, or if the house is being rendered.

When you arrive the wall tie surveyor will perform an external evaluation of the home to determine whether there is the presence of a cavity wall, and whether there are cavity wall insulations along with constriction details, as well as whether there are any issues that are present in the property, such as indications of movement in brickwork or cracks that are staggered or step. This will help determine the next step, which is the use of a metal detector to determine where the existing cavity wall ties are within the structure of the building. After locating them the surveyor will then create an inspection hole, or take out bricks, if necessary, near each wall tie they plan to examine, which allows the surveyor to utilize borescope. The borescope features a view window so that your surveyor will be able to look at the ties within the wall cavity and decide whether they’re failing or are in good shape. First, the surveyor will examine the state of the wall ties to determine if they’re failing, based on the degree of corrosion that ranges from shiny to rusty, or perhaps detached. Other aspects, such as problems with your structure or the kind of wall tie being used and if there are sufficient wall ties in place along with cavity wall insulation aid in the surveyor’s judgment on the condition of the condition of your cavity wall tie.

Visibility issues, usually due to cavities wall insulation could result in a more aggressive method of conducting the survey of the cavity wall to permit the surveyor to view the wall tie in full instead of just via the borescope.

If you’re in need of replacing your wall tie and you have detected the old ties using an electronic detection device then the next steps are the replacement of a repair fixing that is resistant to corrosion and then securing the original ties in order to avoid any further damage to the exterior leaf.