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Crack Stitching

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

Cracked masonry is best stabilized by bonding HeliBar (helical stainless steel bars) into appropriate bed joints or cut slots, in bricks, blocks or stonework with HeliBond cementitious grout. Tensile loads are redistributed along the masonry to minimize further developments of the crack which may occur with simple injection methods.

Technical Details

Available diameters – 6mm (or 4.5mm for thin mortar joints).
Length: Cut lengths up to 80″.
Material – Austenitic stainless steel Grade 304 or 316.
Vertical spacing – Every 4-6 brick courses (12″-18″).
Depth of slot – Single skin/cavity wall 1″- 1¼” Solid wall 1″-1½ ".

System components available

HeliBar
HeliBond cementitious grout
Mixing paddle
Applicator with fitted applicator nozzle

For information on crack stitching applications click here

1. Rake out or cut slots into the horizontal mortar beds, a minimum of 20″ either side of the crack, to the specified depth.

2. Clean out slots and flush clean with water and thoroughly soak the substrate within the slot.

3. Using the Helifix Pointing Gun Kit, inject a bead of HeliBond along the back of the slot.

4. Using the brick jointer, or similar, push one HeliBar into the grout to obtain good coverage.

5. Insert a further bead of HeliBond over the exposed HeliBar, finishing ½” from the face, and ‘iron’ into the slot using a brick jointer.

6. Re-point the mortar bed and make good the vertical crack with CrackBond TE3.

Repairing Cracks Near Corners & Openings

Where cracks are less than 20″ from an external corner (A) or an opening (B) at least 4″ 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 20″ beyond the outer cracks. e.g. if there are three cracks, each 10″ apart, then the overall length of HeliBar required would be 60″.

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 20″ beyond the outer cracks. e.g. if there are three cracks, each 10″ apart, then the overall length of HeliBar required would be 60″.
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.

Fully concealed, non-disruptive repair solution
More reliable than crack injection methods
HeliBond cementitious grout is injectable and rapidly produces high compressive strength
HeliBars and HeliBond grout combine to create excellent tensile strength within the masonry
No additional stresses are introduced during installation
Masonry remains flexible enough to accommodate normal building movement
Tensile loads are redistributed
Reduces likelihood of further cracking nearby
Avoids costly and disruptive taking down and rebuilding