Most wall ties will show visible signs when they begin to fail, and in many cases these can be identified by an untrained eye once the deterioration has progressed sufficiently.
The most common indication of wall tie failure is horizontal cracking along mortar joints or rendered surfaces, often accompanied by stepped cracking in the brickwork. This occurs when corrosion causes the metal wall ties to expand, exerting pressure on the surrounding masonry and forcing it upwards.
In more severe cases, you may notice bulging, bowing, or rippling of external walls. These symptoms can indicate significant wall tie deterioration or complete failure, where the ties have fractured within the cavity.
However, not all failing wall ties produce obvious visible symptoms. Properties with softer mortar or smaller wall tie designs may show little or no external evidence of deterioration. For this reason, if you suspect wall tie failure, or if it has been highlighted in a mortgage valuation, building survey, or by another professional, we recommend arranging a specialist wall tie survey to accurately assess the condition of the ties and determine whether remedial work is required.