Help PigletJohn! Crack Stitching query

[Squidgems]

Hope you can help me with my query PigletJohn. Sorry to others for what to others may be a boring subject. A local builder is doing internal crack stitching repairs to badly cracked wall. Internet searches show stitching is done by raking or cutting through the mortar bed. Builder is making channels through the bricks instead. Says this will be stronger fix and doesn't need to be invisible like on an exterior wall as it will be plastered over. Also some of the cutouts on one side of the crack is a bit less than the recomended minimum of 500mm and hasn't been extended across a corner onto the adjoining wall.

The builder says he knows what he is doing and is trying to reassure me. Do you know about crack stitching and am I right to be worrying?

I feel so guilty posting this message worrying that the builder or someone he knows may see the message and he'll be annoyed that I don't trust him or I am questioning his knowledge and expertise. See these are the crazy thoughts that run around my head when I am stressed.

Anyway your thoughts or anyone else's would be so appreciated!

[PigletJohn]

Sorry, don't know.

If it was a result of subsidence there might be an engjneer involved.

If the builder is using a proprietary system, have a look at the maker's instructions, you are entitled to insist it is installed as defined.

If it is not installed in accordance with the system, then I don't suppose a guarantee would be honoured.

[BigGreenOlives]

Great thread title....

[ToujeoQueen]

[BlossomCat]

I was thinking that PigletJohn was doing episiotomies now...

[babyboyHarrison]

The best crack stitching product I know is helifix. Try calling them and asking their advice. They have a technical department and standard details on how all the products are used. They are there but you might need to register in the website to view them ni remember finding them slightly difficult to locate. Insist the builder does the detail correctly including minimum lengths and returns. It is important and replastering and decorating your room is expensive and you dong want to have to do it again in another year.

i would generally expect the crack stitching to be through the mortar joint unless the bricks don't line up then you would need to drill/chase into the masonry on one side. Unless the mortar used to glue the bars in place us stronger than the brick it would weaken the wall. With crack stitching you want to spread the stresses that caused the crack over a width of wall. The longer the bars are the more the force is spread out and the less likely you are to have new cracks form siing us important to use the correct length cars and the correct spacing of bars.
Hope this helps.

[Squidgems]

Thanks for all your replies. Yes crack stitching does sound funny until I found out from the structural engineer what it meant and what some companies were charging to do the work!

I did as suggested and found out they are using Helifix. I contacted the company just now and they've said it's okay to go through brick if the wall is going to be covered with something else.

Unfortunately I can't be in the room during installation because of my asthma so will just trust the guy to do it properly.

As you can tell I have trust issues having had bad experiences before with other workmen.

But Mumsnet forums have helped and they are now my favourite place to go for advice now - especially the advice of PigletJohn, the font of all (or nearly) all knowledge!

Thanks again to everyone for the jokes and the help!!

[OhNoNotMyBaby]

Blossom you've cracked me up now

But you've also brought back some very painful memories....

[OhNoNotMyBaby]

Blossom you've cracked me up now

But you've also brought back some very painful memories....