If you live in an older house, the chances are you may have experienced structural problems. As the house moves on its foundations, cracks and weaknesses can appear. Sometimes, this is nothing more than cosmetic damage. However, it’s always worth getting it checked out if you’re unsure. Cracks and structural damage can lead to all sorts of problems in the home. Not least, penetrating damp and other forms of water damage.
If you notice small cracks or damp problems, you might need structural brickwork stitching carried out to prevent it getting worse. This is a quick solution to your structural problems, and will stabilise the situation . We have many years of experience in repairing damaged brickwork so let’s take a detailed look.
What is structural brickwork stitching?
Brickwork stitching is a comprehensive solution to weaknesses and cracks. In some cases, brickwork can simply be repointed. That means replacing the mortar between the bricks . Brickwork stitching is the next stage up, and recommended for more worrying signs of structural damage. It involves raking out horizontal lines of the mortar joint and installing stainless steel Helical bars into the brickwork and securing it with epoxy mortar. It provides new additional strength to the brickwork, and holds the wall in place.
Pros – The upside of this technique is that it will stop the cracks and damage from expanding. It will immediately seal up weaknesses in the brick. In turn, that will stop rainwater and penetrating damp from entering the home. It will stop your penetrating damp problems right at the source. It also gives your home better structure.
Cons – The only downside here is that it might not always address the underlying issue. If you’ve got large cracks appearing in your plaster or brickwork, it could be a sign of subsidence. That means the house itself is sinking into the foundations. While brickwork stitching will patch up the weakness, it doesn’t stop the subsidence.
Here at Tapco we are the experts at damp proofing. We understand that damp is a cosmetic, structural, and even health problem. With years of experience, we know exactly what is needed to prevent damp and sometimes this involves repairing damaged walls.
Don’t take a risk when it comes to the structure of your property, deal with it straight away.