Wall Tie Survey in Lockerbie (3)

The first part of a wall tie survey involves locating the wall ties. This is done by using a fine-tuned metal detector to identify the precise wall tie locations.

Once the wall ties have been located, the wall tie surveyor will drill a small hole into the wall. A borescope camera is then inserted into the hole to get a view of the wall tie’s condition.

If the camera’s images aren’t clear, it may be necessary to drill a larger hole for better access.

Wall tie surveys don’t take long. For an average sized three-bedroom semi-detached house, a straightforward wall tie survey should take around one hour.

For larger properties or if the surveyor encounters any access issues, the time may be extended to up to three hours.

Yes. Any building with a cavity wall will have cavity wall ties. Cavity walls and associated wall ties have been used since the 19th century.

They are particularly common in properties built during the early 20th century. And they are especially prevalent in houses built during the 1930s property boom.

Unfortunately, wall ties in older properties were made from non-corrosion resistant materials. This makes them prone to problems and they often need replacing.

Properties built before the 19th century, such as in the Georgian and Tudor eras had a solid wall construction. Therefore, they did not have cavity wall ties.

Cavity wall surveys can cost on average between £250 and £450. Prices will vary depending on the size of the survey and how easily accessible the existing cavity wall ties are.