Helical Bars in Masonry Repair: The Complete Guide to Helibars

Helical bars, also widely known as helibars, heli bars or (less accurately) helix bars, are high-tensile stainless steel reinforcement bars used to restore and strengthen masonry. Every helical bar is manufactured with a twisted, helical profile so it bonds securely into grout or resin, giving a strong, durable and virtually invisible repair.

The most popular sizes are 6mm and 8mm diameter, sold in 1m lengths or 10m coils. They're versatile, quick to install, and provide a discreet, cost-effective alternative to rebuilding, used for everything from brick repair and crack stitching through to lintel support and subsidence stabilisation. Browse our full Helical Bar range or shop a complete helibar kit that includes everything you need in one box.

What Is Helibar Crack Stitching?

Crack stitching (sometimes called helibar crack stitching) involves inserting helical bars into the horizontal bed joints across a crack to "stitch" the masonry back together. It's ideal for vertical and stepped cracks in brick, block or stone walls, and is one of the most common uses for a helical bar or helibar kit.

How Crack Stitching Works

• Preparation: the bed joint is raked out to a depth of at least 30mm and cleaned of debris.
• Insertion: the helical bar is inserted into the prepared joint, spanning the crack and extending at least 500mm either side for optimal load distribution.
• Bonding: the bar is bonded into place using a high-strength helical bar grout or resin, which fills the joint and locks the bar in.
• Finishing: the joint is repointed to match the surrounding masonry, leaving no visible trace of the repair. For any surface damage, our colour matching brick repair kit patches up cracks and broken brickwork so the finish blends in perfectly.

Applications

• Restoring bond strength between separated, abutting walls
• Repairing general cracked brickwork or stonework within masonry structures

Benefits

• Restores structural integrity and prevents further cracking
• Minimal disruption: no need for costly rebuilding
• Suitable for residential and commercial properties

For manufacturer method statements and a step-by-step walkthrough, see our full Crack Stitch Repairs guide. If you'd rather not manage individual components, our ready-made crack stitching kits are a straightforward, DIY-friendly alternative to a helifix bar system, bundling bar, grout/resin and tools together.

Crack Stitching vs Masonry Beaming

The key difference is simple: crack stitching restores the original integrity of the structure, distributing load evenly across the width of the stitch to minimise the chance of the crack reoccurring. Masonry beaming goes a step further, enhancing the structure's ability to carry load across openings or weakened areas.

Masonry Beaming with Helical Bars

Masonry beaming uses helical bars to create deep, hidden masonry beams within a wall, redistributing structural loads and adding support. It's commonly used above openings or in walls affected by subsidence.

How It Works

• Design: two sets of twin bars are installed using longer lengths of helical bar (sold in 10m coils) at a minimum of 40mm bed depth, with vertical spacing of 3 to 8 courses of brickwork between the sets, typically above windows or doors, extending at least 500mm either side of the opening.
• Installation: the bars are bonded into the masonry, creating a "beam" that spans the opening and transfers loads to the surrounding brickwork.
• Load distribution: the reinforced section acts as a composite girder masonry beam, resisting bending forces and preventing sagging or further cracking by increasing the tensile capacity of the masonry.

Applications

• Reinforcing lintels and arches
• Stabilising walls affected by subsidence or ground movement
• Creating retrofit masonry beams in existing structures

Need guidance on spacing and specification? See our Masonry Beaming Repairs guide, or get in touch: we're happy to help.

Subsidence and Ground Movement

Subsidence can cause significant structural damage, including cracking and sagging in masonry. Helical bars are an effective way to stabilise affected walls and redistribute loads to unaffected parts of the structure.

How It Works

• Identification: cracks and areas of movement are identified and the underlying cause addressed, most commonly drainage issues (failed or leaking drains eroding soil and causing foundation drop) or soil movement, such as tree-induced shrinkage and expansion of clay soils.
• Reinforcement: helical bars are installed in bed joints to stitch cracks and create masonry beams, adding support and preventing further movement.
• Monitoring: the structure is monitored to ensure stability and catch any ongoing issues early.

Benefits

• Non-disruptive and cost-effective compared to underpinning
• Preserves the original fabric of the building
• Can be used alongside other remedial measures

Window Lintel Repair with Helical Bar

Common Causes of Lintel Failure

• Replacement of traditional timber and steel (crittal) windows or doors with non-load-bearing UPVC frames, shifting support and causing cracks
• Subsidence or structural movement
• Poorly designed or inadequate replacement angle steel lintels
• Design defects in existing lintels, such as concrete boot lintels

How Helical Bars Are Used

• Lintel reinforcement: helical bars are installed in bed joints above the window, extending at least 500mm either side, creating a reinforced masonry beam that supports the load above the opening.
• Crack repair: any existing cracks are stitched using helical bars, restoring structural integrity and preventing further damage.

Benefits

• Quick, simple installation with minimal disturbance
• No visible marks on the wall's exterior, provided repointing is done to a good standard
• A permanent, reliable solution for lintel repair

Read our full Window Lintel Repair guide for method statements and product recommendations.

Heritage Building Restoration

Helical bars have been used for over 30 years to preserve and restore heritage-listed buildings and ancient monuments, where keeping the original appearance and fabric of the building intact is paramount. Their discreet installation and compatibility with traditional masonry make a helibar ideal for sensitive repairs.

Applications

• Crack stitching: repairing cracks in historic brickwork or stonework without altering the building's appearance
• Lintel and arch reinforcement: strengthening lintels and arches in heritage buildings, often affected by age, movement or previous alterations
• Masonry beaming: creating hidden support beams in walls to address subsidence or structural weaknesses

Benefits

• Minimal visual impact, preserving the building's character
• Reversible and non-destructive
• Compatible with a wide range of masonry types and historical construction techniques

Helical Bars and Grout in Lime Mortar

A common misconception is that helical bar grout can't be used in lime mortar. This isn't true. Helical bars can be bonded into lime mortar structures using polymer-bound, non-shrink grouts such as our Strucsol HS Masonry Grout.

For guidance on structural repairs to lime mortar structures, get in touch with our team: we're happy to help.

Choosing the Right Helibar Kit: Practical Considerations

Installation Tips

• Stitching straight brickwork? Consider our Strucsol Ultrabar Composite bar, giving up to 5 times more tension and shear strength than steel.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines for bar spacing, bonding and finishing.
• Use the appropriate grout or resin for your masonry type and environmental conditions.

Maintenance

• Regularly inspect repaired areas for signs of new cracking or movement.
• Address any underlying issues (e.g. drainage, soil stability) to prevent recurrence.

Finish the Job: Brickwork Repair Mortar

To top off your repairs, use our Colour Matching Brickwork Repair Kit, perfect for patching up broken or damaged brickwork so your brick repair is almost invisible.

Conclusion

Strucsol helical bars (helibars, heli bars, whichever you know them as) offer a versatile, effective and discreet solution for a wide range of masonry repair challenges. Whether you're addressing cracks, reinforcing lintels, stabilising subsidence-affected walls or restoring a heritage building, a helical bar kit provides a reliable method for preserving and enhancing the structural integrity of masonry. Shop our full helical bar range or a complete crack stitch repair kit to get started.

Need further guidance? Get in touch with our team: we're always happy to help. Prefer to have the work done for you? Our trusted contracting team at JTC Structural Repairs are Strucsol Approved and carry out all works with guarantees.