MASONRY REPAIR STRATEGIES
Masonry may deteriorate, delaminate and fail for a variety of reasons. Most of these problems can be overcome by using various combinations of Helifix remedial ties and masonry reinforcement products and techniques.
Our products are able to provide secure, lasting connections in all forms of brick, blocks, concrete, stone, timber and traditional local building materials, and have proven to be fully effective in virtually every type of masonry structure from medieval churches to modern tower blocks, bridges and tunnels, to all forms of housing...Learn more »
The illustration below highlights some of the most commonly occurring structural faults that affect every type of commercial and residential property of all ages and construction, and a number of Helifix repair strategies that may be used to overcome them.
Helifix masonry repair strategies involve the external installation of product in the vast majority of situations and have been designed to ensure minimal disruption to building occupants and leave the repaired building visibly unimpaired.
Clearly there are other situations which are not shown here such as failed parapet walls, separated cornices, blown render and many more besides. Using various combinations of Helifix ties, fixings and reinforcing rods virtually any situation can be dealt with so do not hesitate to contact us if you have a particular problem which is not covered here.
1. Repairing Cracks Near Corners and Openings
Repairing cracks near corners and openings using CemTies
CemTies are installed simultaneously with HeliBond cementitious grout into clearance holes drilled, to the required depth, through the front elevation and into the side elevation masonry.
OR
Repairing cracks near corners and openings using HeliBars
Lengths of HeliBar extending 500mm either side of the crack are bonded into cut slots, normally cut into the mortar beds, with HeliBond grout. Where cracks are less than 500mm from an external corner or an opening, at least 100mm should be bent round the corner and bonded into the return wall or bent and fixed into the reveal, avoiding any DPC membrane.
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2. Repair of Bay Windows
Bay window repair using HeliBars and BowTies
Twin HeliBars are bonded into predetermined cut slots above and below the bay window with HeliBond grout, and with the ends embedded in the front elevation. BowTies are driven into the joist ends via clearance holes in the masonry and low level cracks are stitched with single HeliBars.
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3. Repairing Brick Arch Lintels
Repairing a brick arch lintel using HeliBars and CemTies
Parallel lengths of HeliBar reinforcement are bonded into the specified cut slots directly above the existing lintel. Angled CemTies ties are installed through the lintel and into the masonry above the lower HeliBars.
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4. Reconnecting Internal Walls with External Walls
Reconnecting internal and external walls using HeliBars
Predetermined slots on the internal wall are channelled out to the specified length right into the corner. Angled holes are drilled from the corner into the external wall. Lengths of HeliBar are bent to shape with the angled ends being bonded into the holes, either with EpoxyPlus resin or HeliBond grout, and the remainder HeliBond grouted into the slots cut into the internal wall.
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5. Crack Stitching
Crack Stitching
Lengths of HeliBar extending 500mm either side of the crack are bonded into cut slots, normally cut into the mortar beds, with HeliBond grout. Where cracks are less than 500mm from an external corner or an opening, at least 100mm should be bent round the corner and bonded into the return wall or bent and fixed into the reveal, avoiding any DPC membrane.
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7. Stabilising Failed Masonry Above Openings
Stabilising failed masonry above openings using HeliBars and DryFix
Parallel lengths of HeliBar are bonded into the specified cut slots above the existing lintel.
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8. Creating Masonry Beams
Creating load bearing masonry beams using HeliBars
The Helibeam System uses parallel lengths of HeliBar reinforcing bonded into predetermined cut slots (normally the mortar beds) with HeliBond grout to form deep masonry beams which distribute the building loads. These can be used to resist vertical loads to prevent building subsidence or the horizontal displacement of a bowing wall.
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9. Creating Movement Joints
Creating a movement joint using HeliBars and DryFix
A 400mm HeliBar is installed across the joint, as with cracks, but is only bonded at one end. The other end is allowed to move freely by inserting it into a sleeve which is then bonded into the masonry. DryFix wall ties are installed up either side of the newly cut joint at a vertical spacing of not more than 300mm.
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10. Replacing Cavity Wall Ties or Pinning Separated Masonry
Replacing cavity wall ties using DryFix
DryFix wall ties are power driven directly into both leaves, via a small pilot hole, typically 5mm diameter.
OR
Replacing cavity wall ties using RetroTies
RetroTies are driven into a 5mm to 6mm pilot hole in the far leaf, via a clearance hole in the near leaf into which they are resin bonded.
OR
Replacing cavity wall ties using ResiTies
ResiTies are resin bonded into a 10mm hole in both leaves.
Pinning separated or solid masonry
DryFix wall ties or CemTies, depending on the depth of the solid masonry wall, are installed directly into the brick leaves. DryFix ties are power driven directly into the wall via small pilot holes, while CemTies and HeliBond grout are installed into clearance holes drilled through the near leaf and at least 75mm into the far leaf. The density of the ties, DryFix or CemTie, will depend upon the degree and cause of separation, the material and the condition of the masonry overall.