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Crack Stitching

Helifix Crack Stitching repairs and stabilises cracked masonry using stainless steel HeliBars bonded into cut slots with HeliBond grout for a quick, simple, effective and permanent solution.

Cracked masonry is best stabilised by bonding HeliBar stainless steel bars into appropriate bed joints or cut slots. Tensile loads are redistributed along the masonry to minimise further developments of the crack which may occur with simple injection methods.

Technical Details

• Available diameters – 4.5, 6 and 8mm
• Available in lengths of 1m, 1.5m and 2m
• Material – Austenitic stainless steel
• Vertical spacing – Every 2-6 brick courses (150-450mm)
• Depth of slot – Single skin / cavity wall 25-35mm Solid wall 35-45mm

System Components

• 1m lengths of HeliBar
• HeliBond cementitious grout
• Mortar rake
• Mixing paddle
• Applicator with fitted applicator nozzle

Installation

1. Rake out or cut slots into the horizontal mortar beds, a minimum of 500mm either side of the crack, to the specified depth.

2. Clean out slots with blow pump and apply HeliPrimer WB or flush with water.

3. Using the CS Pointing Gun Kit, inject a bead of HeliBond to the back of the slot.

4. Using a finger trowel, or similar, push the HeliBar into the grout to obtain good coverage.

5. Insert a further bead of HeliBond over the exposed HeliBar, finishing 10-15mm from the face, and ‘iron’ into the slot using a finger trowel.

6. Make good the vertical crack with an epoxy-based weatherproof filler e.g. Crackbond TE. Repoint the mortar bed and make good.

Repairing Cracks Near Corners & Openings

Where cracks are less than 500mm from an external corner or an opening, for example a window, at least 100mm should be bent around the corner and bonded into the return wall or bent and fixed into the reveal, avoiding any DPC membrane.

Where two or more cracks are close together these may be stitched using one continuous length of HeliBar which must be long enough to extend 500mm beyond the outer cracks. e.g. if there are three cracks, each 250mm apart, then the overall length of HeliBar required would be 1.5m.

The horizontal slot, normally the mortar bed, can be cut using a twin diamond blade chaser with vacuum attachment, an angle grinder or a mortar chisel.

All mortar must be removed, together with any loose debris, to ensure a sound bond. Prepare the slot with HeliPrimer WB or thoroughly wet the slot with clean water.

As standard, slots should be 10mm wide to accommodate the 6mm diameter HeliBar.

HeliBond grout is the recommended bonding agent. PolyPlus resin is used for smaller jobs and where loads are to be rapidly applied.

Additional Advice

• Where two or more cracks are close together these may be stitched using one continuous length of HeliBar which must be long enough to extend 500mm beyond the outer cracks. e.g. if there are three cracks, each 250mm apart, then the overall length of HeliBar required would be 1.5m.
• The horizontal slot, normally the mortar bed, can be cut using a twin diamond blade chaser with vacuum attachment, an angle grinder or a mortar chisel.
• All mortar must be removed, together with any loose debris, to ensure a sound bond.
• Prepare the slot with HeliPrimer WB or thoroughly wet the slot with clean water.
• As standard, slots should be 10mm wide to accommodate the 6mm diameter HeliBar.
• HeliBond grout is the recommended bonding agent. PolyPlus resin is used for smaller jobs and where loads are to be rapidly applied.

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