A Guide to Wall Ties Part: Mechanical Wall Ties
Welcome to the second edition of a three-part series of Twistfix blogs focusing on remedial wall ties. For this article, we're going to be looking at Quick-Fix mechanical wall ties.
In general, properties built before 1980 were fitted with wall ties made from galvanised mild steel. At the time, it was thought that ties made from this material would last throughout the building's entire lifespan. As time went by, it soon became obvious that some of these ties were becoming corroded in as little as two decades.
As galvanised steel rusts, it swells dramatically; this swelling can cause mortar joints to crack and split. The cracks can weaken walls, potentially leading to collapse. As the ties cannot be seen from the outside, it is not easy to detect corrosion. Visible signs of corroded ties include cracks that run along render coats or bed joints. If corrosion has caused the ties to not hold the outer walls securely, those walls may be seen to bulge or even lean.
Quick-Fix mechanical wall ties are made from austenitic, grade 304 stainless steel and are especially tolerant to both host and hole variations in material. This makes them suitable for most ordinary retrofit applications though they should not be used in perforated brick or where certified ratings for fire resistance are required.
In addition to a central drip ring to prevent moisture transfer, the superior ties are fitted at each end with an expansion sleeve made from robust, durable neoprene. When the ties are installed, the sleeves undergo sequential compression, forcing them to expand radially to grip the walls of pre-drilled holes in masonry. Essentially, the mechanism is designed to squeeze and squash the sleeve against the sides of the holes, resulting in a strong and secure friction fit.
The unique radial expansion occurs along the full length of each neoprene sleeve, which helps to avoid point loadings and prevents excessive stress being exerted on the masonry. Sequential anchoring within each leaf is enabled by a part-threaded tall nut.
Quick Fix mechanical wall ties are supplied in cost effective packs of 100 units with four different size options available. To use the ties, you will need a specialised mechanical wall tie setting tool which is also available to purchase from Twistfix at the most competitive price.
Find out more details on the product pages and contact our technical team if you have any questions or need expert advice. Subscribe to our newsletter if you'd like to hear about the latest news, product updates and exclusive promotions from Twistfix.