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SockFix anchors secure moving gable end wall

Client:	Private homeowner
Location:	St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Approved Installer:	Protectahome
Reference No:	CS127

A 150 year old semi-detached solid stone cottage in West Wales, used as a holiday home had developed cracks between its gable wall and the front and rear elevations. Damage had been caused by inadequate lateral restraint provided by the parallel joists resulting in outward movement of the 650mm thick rubble-filled gable end wall. Consequently, gaps were opening up between the gable wall and the floors and ceilings at first and attic room levels. Renovation work to an abutting single storey structure, including removal of its roof, may have also reduced lateral support for the gable wall. Although there were no signs of bulging in the wall, movement was considered to be progressive unless remedial restraint was provided.

The Helifix Solution

Helifix engineers devised a repair scheme that would stabilise the wall using SockFix grouted anchors. They were considered ideal for obtaining a sound anchorage in the thick rubble-filled walls as an anchorage would be obtained across the entire wall width, even where voids were present, while at the same time providing a secure fixing into the timber floor structure.

22 x 1.6m long SockFix anchors were installed through the gable wall and into the parallel joists at first and second floor levels. Holes were drilled through the wall and the first three joists. The anchors were then inserted before being pumped full of grout, expanding them to fill all spaces in the wall and the gaps between the joists to provide a solid anchorage.

A further 10 x 1m long SockFix anchors were installed through the wall and into the 115mm thick single skin internal cross wall to provide additional lateral restraint.

All the anchors were installed from the outside and only small areas of the two floors needed to be lifted to expose the joists, all minimising disruption and costly reinstatement work. Once the core drilled stonework had been replaced into the face of the clearance holes there was little evidence of the stabilisation works. Download the full case study here