Broken brick column

[Gilwern]

Hi guys,

I have a problem with a brick column.

The top half is completely severed from the bottom half. So basically, the top half is merely resting on the bottom half — there is no adhesive keeping it secure.

1. What is going on here?
2. How much should it cost to get fixed?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Gil

 

[tony1851]

Someone slamming the gate?
Short one brick x one brick piers are never very stable, you can't rely on the mortar adhesion (such as it is) when subject to repeated horizontal force.
Don't know the cost of repair, but if you just get it re-built or re-mortared, it will fail again.

 

[Scally-Ho]

IMO not just gate slamming, but also the expansion of the railings. Those railings should have been fixed into place with some kind of anchor that allows expansion. Plastic sleeved fixings at one or both ends would have prevented expansion forces. breaking that mortar bond.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/iIEAAOSwdK5lsjyF/s-l140.webp

 

[Gilwern]

The gate is pretty lightweight. I am wondering if the expansion of the railings could be the culprit. Of course, probably not helped by the gate closing.

QUESTION: Would would you do with it?

 

[evdamadiynot]

Do you really NEED the gate?I
Take down the pillar and tidy up around where it was.

 

[Deluks]

Do you need to do anything? Most people would just leave it if the top's not loose.

 

[Gilwern]

I think a gate is preferable for security.

The top section is loose. Therefore, I think I have to deal with it. It's not gonna fall of, as such, but with a hefty push it might.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

QUESTION: Would would you do with it?

Demolish, down to the point of fracture, rebuild around a steel post of some sort, down the centre, and make provision for those railings to expand and contract.

 

[Gilwern]

Demolish, down to the point of fracture, rebuild around a steel post of some sort, down the centre, and make provision for those railings to expand and contract.

Thanks. Any idea what a sensible, ballpark price would look like?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks. Any idea what a sensible, ballpark price would look like?

Not got a glue - I would do it myself, so just cost of materials, a few pounds..

 

[Koolpc]

Put shrink wrap around the pullar 69 times...that will hold it...

 

[stevie888]

Lever it up a bit and squirt some decent exterior grade construction adhesive in there.