Crack Stitching Repairs

Crack stitching is a process designed to restore the original integrity to the masonry in addition to locally reinforcing the brickwork.

Addressing cracks promptly can prevent further damage to your walls and maintain the structural integrity of your property.


Crack stitching is carried out using either Strucsol Ultrabar 6mm x 1000mm OR Strusol Ultrabar Composite 6mm x 1000mm, and either Strucsol HS Grout or Strucsol Polyester Resin Strucsol HS Grout. This is a non shrink, high strength grout. It sets around the crack stitching bars and develops compressive strength rapidly to prevent axial deflection of the crack stitching bar under load conditions.

Here are the step-by-step instructions.

Below you will also find

Step One

Cutting the slot

Begin by cutting a slot in the mortar bed (mortar raking blade can be found here), positioned just over 500mm on either side of the vertical crack. The slot depth should be appropriate for the wall thickness (refer to specifications).

Step Two

Rake out the joints

Ensure that all mortar is completely removed to expose the top and bottom faces of the masonry.

Step Three

Remove Debris

Flush the joint with water to clean it thoroughly.

Note: Typically, vertical spacing between slots should be every 4 to 6 brick courses. If you’re uncertain, consult a structural engineer.

Step Four

Grout Mixing and Loading

  • Thoroughly mix the grout using the provided paddle mixer.
  • Load the mixed grout into the application gun.
  • Pump the grout into the back of the slot, creating a continuous, even bead that fills approximately two-thirds of the slot depth.

Step Five

Inserting the Helical Bar

Firmly push the helical bar into the grout, ensuring that it extends 500mm on either side of the crack.

Step Six

Second Grout Bead

Apply a second bead of grout into the slot, ensuring complete coverage of the bar.

Use the provided trowel to force the grout into the slot until it is approximately 10mm from the surface. Make sure the bar and grout are firmly packed.

Finishing Touches:

Complete the process by restoring the bed joint and filling the vertical crack with an appropriate filler to match the surrounding masonry.

HOW TO VIDEO

Crack Stitching

In this video we show you a simplified process of installing the helical bar to repair the crack.

Detailed Crack Stitching Method Statements

SCS01 Crack-stitching a cavity wall using Helical Reinforcing Wire
SCS02 Crack stitching a rendered cavity wall using Helical Bar
SCS03 Repair of a crack near a corner in a cavity wall using Helical Bar
SCS06 How To crack-stitch a rendered solid wall using Helical Bar
SCS07 Crack-stitching a cracked solid wall using Grout Ties
SCS08 How to repair a crack near a corner in a solid wall using helical reinforcing bar
SCS09 How to repair a crack near a corner in a solid wall using Grout Ties
SCS10 Repairing a crack near a corner in a stone wall using StrucSol Helical Bar
SCS11 How to repair a crack near a corner in a stone wall using Grout Ties
SCS12 Repair of internal and external cracks near a corner in a stone wall using Grout Ties
SCS13 How to repair cracks at joints in solid and cavity walls using reinforcing helical bar
SCS14 Repair of a crack near an internal corner in a solid wall using helical bar
SMA02 Pinning a masonry arch of separated brick rings, through mortar joints using Grout Ties
SMA03 Masonry arch circumferential beaming and pinning using reinforcing rods and grout ties
SMA04 Masonry arch circumferential beam end fixing using helical bar
SMA05 Masonry arch soffit crack-stitching using helical bars
SMA06 How to pin a Masonry arch of debonded bricks using Grout Ties
SPW01 Securing parapets in cavity walls using Strucsol Ultrabar and grout ties
SPW02 Securing straight parapet walls in solid masonry using helical bar and grout ties
SPW03 Securing curved parapet walls in solid masonry using structural reinforcing wire and grout ties