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Self-check

Wall tie replacement checker

Work through a short set of questions about the outer wall that is causing concern. The result gives a rough indication of how likely it is that the metal ties within the cavity have corroded or failed. Treat it as a pointer rather than a conclusion: a cavity inspection is the only way to establish the actual state of the ties.

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Useful tools

Could it be failed wall ties?

Can you see horizontal cracks running along the mortar bed joints of the outer brickwork, perhaps in a stepped or ladder pattern?
Does the wall bow outwards or look rippled when you sight along it from the corner?
Is there a vertical crack near a corner, or a gap opening beside a window or door frame?
Is the house an older cavity-wall build that may still have its original metal ties, or has the cavity been filled with insulation since it was built?
Have the cracks or the bulge grown in the last year?

Request an assessment to have a specialist confirm the findings on site. This tool gives a first indication only and cannot replace a physical inspection of the property.

What the levels point to

  1. Low likelihood The signs you described are minor and are often cosmetic, such as surface wear to the pointing or fine cracks that open and close with the weather. Keep an eye on the wall and photograph any crack so you can track whether it changes.
  2. Possible The combination of signs you have described is worth a proper look. A cavity inspection using an endoscope will show whether the ties have corroded and whether the two leaves are still held securely together.
  3. Worth investigating The answers suggest the ties may have corroded and the wall could be losing structural restraint. Arranging a survey soon usually means fewer ties to fit and less repair work to the brickwork afterwards.

Look-alikes

  • Thermal movement: Fine cracks that open and close with the seasons, particularly on long walls in full sun, are often the result of thermal movement rather than corroded ties.
  • Weathered pointing: Crumbling or recessed mortar on the face of the wall is surface erosion from rain and frost, and the ties set within the wall behind it may be in good condition.
  • Foundation movement: Diagonal cracks that widen towards the top of the wall or run through a corner can indicate ground movement beneath the wall, which calls for a different investigation from a cavity tie survey.