Fences, gates and garden walls

Building Regulations: Things to check

  1. Is the surface of the brickwork crumbling away? - If restricted to a few bricks this may not be serious but walls can be weakened by general crumbling across either face.
  2. Is the mortar pointing in good condition? - If the hard surface layer can be picked out from the joint, or if the mortar can easily be scraped out with, say, a door key, then this is a good indication that the wall may need repointing.
  4. Is the wall upright? - Walls lean for a variety of causes, due for example to failure below ground caused by tree roots, a cracked drain, frost damage to the foundations or inadequate foundations. If your wall leans to an extent that could present a danger e.g. more than 30mm (half brick wall), 70mm (single brick wall) or 100mm (brick and a half wall) it is recommended that expect advice is sought. This may involve checking of the wall foundations.
  5. Is the wall thick enough for its height? - View guidance on how high walls should be in different parts of the UK relative to their thickness. Seek expert advice if your wall exceeds the recommended height, or in circumstances whereby this guidance is inapplicable e.g. walls incorporating piers, or walls supporting heavy gates or retaining soil.
  6. Some climbing plants, like ivy, can damage walls if growth is unchecked. - Consider cutting them back and supporting regrowth clear of the wall.
  7. Is the top of the wall firmly attached? - Brick cappings or concrete copings may be loose or there may be horizontal cracks (frost damage) in the brickwork a few courses down. Loose or damaged masonry near the top of the wall will need to be rebuilt.
  8. Has the wall been damaged by traffic? - Minor scratch marks or scoring of the surface may obscure more significant cracks. Piers at vehicular entrances may have been dislodged by impact and be unsafe; in such cases they should be rebuilt.