What Are Cavity Wall Ties?

These are invisible ties that keep those walls in your house to one another. These rods of steel, or strips, are a vital element of the structure of your home. There’s no building that doesn’t require the support of cavity wall ties!

However, while the idea of the idea of cavity wall ties may be on the back of your list and the possibility of failure, a cavity wall tie is becoming a more frequent issue within UK homes. Damaged or broken cavities wall ties can result in disastrous structural effects for your home.

Our experts were asked to clarify what cavity wall tie failure means and how to spot it.

What is Cavity Wall Ties?

The Cavity Wall Tie are basic metal strips or rods that play an incredibly important function in the structure of your house.

The home is comprised of two walls one of which is the inner wall and another outer wall. The space between them is known as the wall cavity that is vital to ensure insulation. To support the wall, these two layers are joined with the help of cavity wall ties which are used to connect the space between walls.

The cavity wall tie is manufactured out of various materials. However, the most commonly used are metals and metal alloys with steel and zinc being the most popular options. If these wall tie fail, the structural integrity of the wall is compromised.

Failure of the cavity wall tie happens in the event that the worst-case scenario takes place and the cavity wall tie that holds the two layers together fall apart and fail.

The primary reason for the failure is the long-term corrosion. Since they’re made of metal, the wall of the cavity tie can be susceptible to rust and corroding when water seeps in the cavity or soaks in the cavity walls.

Wall ties for Cavity are covered in a protective anti-corrosive layer prior to being put in however this won’t remain in place for long.

It’s an natural process that is only reduced, not stopped. The heavy rain, flooding or leaks could accelerate the process.

Other causes for failure include inadequate construction work as well as loose brickwork or loose mortar. All of these can affect the strength of the wall and may weaken the cavity wall ties. Since they’re supports, builders might not have calculated the amount of cavity wall tie needed to support the load, resulting in more stress and pressure, and eventually , failure.

What happens when Cavity Wall Ties Fail?

Failure of a wall tie in the event of a cavity could have severe consequences for your home. Because they’re essential to structural stability, damaged wall tie can cause the complete collapse of a wall, if not repaired.

Although it is not common however, it can happen and typically occurs when wall ties fail at the same time or when the issue is not addressed by the homeowner.

Although wall collapses are not common but a failure of the cavity wall tie may cause cracks in the brickwork, damaged brickwork, and issues with other areas of the home, like the roof when walls begin to move or collapse.

Broken or cracked brickwork may result in problems with ventilation, leading to knock-on effects that can cause excessive condensation. Water can get inside the walls. This will not only cause further corrosion and wall ties to become weak and cause mould or damp inside.

Each of these issues will require time and money to fix and fix, but they are also harmful to health and pose risk to the people who live in the building.

How do I spot Cavity Problems with Wall Tie?

A wall tie that fails to close properly could cause serious effects over the long run It’s crucial to identify problems in the early stages and swiftly repair damaged ties when needed.

Since cavity wall ties are hidden between the outer and the inner walls, it is difficult to identify the signs. This is why when you suspect that you may be experiencing a the problem of a cavity wall tie It is recommended to contact professionals for an evaluation.

If you observe any of the following issues or indicators, then it’s time to schedule an inquiry:

Horizontal cracks may appear on the walls or in bricks, if cavities wall ties grow because of rust.

Walls begin to expand outwards when cavities wall ties have failed because of corrosion that has lasted for a long time.

* Broken frames or window ledges.

* Collapsing (the most grave indication).