Wall Ties

[paulljones]

I have recently bought a 1930's semi that needs the wall ties replacing, Ive had two different types of quotes so far, one being the old wall ties are found, removed and replaced (cost: £2500), and the other quote is for simply installing new wall ties in new positions (cost: £800).
Both are insurance backed, any ideas which one I should go for?

 

[madwayne]

sounds similar to the house we are buying.

I would go for the cheaper option as its less hassle and I cant see that it would make the wall any better by using new postions vs replacing old ones, but I aint an engineer.

 

[Thermo]

the reason for replacing old wall ties is that they can fail and no longer serve their purpose. In failing they usually rust and as a part of the rusting process can increase in size. this can cause the mortar joint thye are in to lift causing cracking in the wall, so if they are or have failed then they should be removed. Having said that it can be another area where money is made preying on the fears of the householder who deosnt know better, based on a few ifs and maybes in the surveyours report. Another point to consider is that often the wall ties only fail on the elevation exposed to the prevailing elements and so not all the elevations necessarily need doing even if there is some failure.