Lateral Restraint

Lateral Restraint Repairs & Solutions

What is Lateral Restraint?

Bulging and leaning walls in older buildings can sometimes be the result of a lack of Lateral Restraint.

Masonry walls should benefit from some form of Lateral Restraint. Traditionally this is provided by building floor joist into walls or by the construction of masonry partition walls bonded in at right angles.

Structural weakness often occurs where joists run parallel to external walls or where staircases lead to a break in the continuity of the floor, interrupting Lateral Restraint.

Internal partition walls formed in timber stud work offer little Lateral Restraint, unlike well bonded masonry partition walls. Inadequate external wall thickness in relation to wall height, combined with a lack of Lateral Restraint, can also lead to significant problems with bulging and cracking.

Lateral Restraint Repair Systems

A remedial repair strategy to provide Lateral Restraint may typically include connecting or reconnecting floor and ceiling joists, together with roof members to masonry walls.
Helifix Bowed Wall Repairs
  • Sock Anchors - Pre Injection.
    Sock Anchors - Pre Injection.
  • Sock Anchors - Post Injection
    Sock Anchors - Post Injection
  • Helifix Bow Ties Installed through noggins as floor joists run perpendicular to affected wall.
    Helifix Bow Ties Installed through noggins as floor joists run perpendicular to affected wall.
  • Helifix Bow Ties Installed to provide Lateral Restraint.
    Helifix Bow Ties Installed to provide Lateral Restraint.
  • Cintec Repair Detail - Rubble Filled Wall - Parallel Joists
    Cintec Repair Detail - Rubble Filled Wall - Parallel Joists
Our repair strategies will often utilise flooring timbers to create an internal diaphragm, tie beams may also be provided at roof or intermediary levels.

It is not unusual for additional masonry strengthening or consolidation to be required, each repair strategy is bespoke to the property to which it is being applied. Protectahome have access to a wide range of modern materials and systems as well as traditional techniques which may be employed to provide a comprehensive Lateral Restraint repair strategy.

The majority of our Lateral Restraint repair strategies avoid the need for the use of unsightly pattress plates on the external elevations of the buildings. The materials we use are invariably contained within the structure itself with resulting minimum visual impact upon completion.

Please see our Case Studies for more detail on Lateral Restraints in application. For advice or to book a Survey please Contact Us on 0800 055 6966 or alternatively email us via web@protectahome.co.uk.

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Structural Repairs Case Studies

Verallo Drive, Cardiff

The Project: To repair existing cracking as a result of thermal movement and install additional movement joints to this brick built residential accommodation complex.

Clyne Castle, Swansea

The Project: To undertake a series of sympathetic roof timber repairs to this grade II listed castellated mansion as part of a wider refurbishment.

Westminster Abbey, London

The Project: To repair several large cracks that had appeared within a medieval wall on the grounds of the historic Westminster Abbey.

Tower Bridge, London

The Project: Structural anchoring to facilitate coping stone consolidation on the South West corner of the world famous Tower Bridge, London.

B&B Barn Conversion, Usk, Monmouthshire

The Project: New B&B retreat to rural Monmouthshire as Barn Conversion popularity continues to grow. Extensive structural repair works were required to stabilise and consolidate […]

The Cottage, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire

The Project: To consolidate, and arrest further movement of, the rear elevation of this stone and brick built 150 year old cottage.

Plymouth Road, Penarth – Crack Stitching & Consolidation

Protectahome were asked to inspect this three storey, semi-detached stone property in South Wales. The property is over 100 years old, constructed from Blue Lias Limestone and was suffering from cracking...

Goat Street, St David’s, West Wales

This 150 year old, semi-detached property was suffering from separation between the gable end wall and the front and rear elevations at 1st floor and attic floor levels. The property, located in St. David's, West Wales, the smallest city in the UK.

Plymouth Road, Penarth – Lateral Restraint

Protectahome were asked to inspect this three storey, semi-detached stone property in South Wales. The property is over 100 years old, constructed from Blue Lias […]

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