If you’re a homeowner, then at some point you’ll likely need to know about wall ties. What are they? Why are they important? How can you tell if they’re failing? In this blog post, we’ll answer all those questions and more. We’ll discuss the different types of wall ties and explain why they’re necessary for your home’s structural stability. Plus, we’ll tell you how to identify wall tie failure so that you can get them fixed before it’s too late!
What are wall ties?
Wall ties are metal fasteners that are used to connect the inner leaf of a cavity wall to the outer leaf. In other words, they help to hold your walls together. Cavity walls are made up of two layers of masonry (brick, stone, or concrete) with a space in between. The wall ties keep these two layers from pulling apart and collapsing.
Different types of wall ties
There are several different types of wall ties available on the market. The most common type is the helical tie, which is made from coiled wire that’s been formed into a spiral shape. Helical ties are driven into the mortar joints between bricks using a power drill. Another type of wall tie is the plate tie, which is a flat metal plate that’s attached to the wall with screws. Plate ties are less common than helical ties, but they’re sometimes used in situations where the mortar is too weak to support a helical tie.
Why are wall ties important?
Wall ties play a vital role in the structural stability of your home. Without them, your walls could collapse inwards, causing serious damage to your property and putting yourself and your family at risk. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that your wall ties are in good condition and that you get them replaced if they start to fail.
How can you tell if wall ties are failing?
There are several signs that can indicate that your wall ties are failing. One is cracks in the mortar joints between bricks. These cracks can be caused by the weight of the bricks pulling on the ties. Another sign is bulging or leaning walls. This can be caused by the wall ties no longer being able to hold the two layers of masonry together. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to get your wall ties checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
Wall ties are an important part of your home’s structure, so it’s important to know what they are and why they’re necessary. We hope that this blog post has helped to explain some of the basics about wall ties and how to tell if they’re failing. If you have any further questions, or if you need help with replacing your wall ties, contact a wall tie expert like Atlantis Property Preservation who can provide comprehensive wall tie failure surveys and offer tailored solutions to keep your house structurally safe.