Structural Crack Repair

[RichA]

I have a structural crack - about 1m long, a few mm wide - that needs reparing.

A structural engineer has recommended using a resin (Sealocrete Plusbond 25).

Is this process complicated? I wish to get a builder in to do this... What sort of builder / qualifications should I be looking for?

I'm also not sure what we are looking at in terms of the time it would take or approx. what this might cost?

Many thanks.


PS I could do the decorating - it is the structural repair where I am after a professional.

 

[joe-90]

If it's on the inside just fill it with mortar. If it's on the outside and is a 'real' structural problem (as opposed to what some silly engineer wants to charge you for) then use resin with stitch bars. Do it yourself, it's a DIY job. Why do you have the crack? Subsidence, leaky drains? Or just the warmer more varied weather that we've been having?

 

[Static]

Best to resolve the cause for the cracking first before cosmetic fixes.

 

[RichA]

It is interior cracking on the bay (window) of a top floor flat. Crack was caused by basement works a few floors below that have now been finished. It hasn't moved for a few months.

I am the freeholder and I think the leaseholder will only be happy with a 'professional' job rather than DIY.

Just don't know where to find that professioanal...

 

[Bunglebonce]

It is interior cracking on the bay (window) of a top floor flat.

When you say the bay, where abouts on the bay; what form do the cracks take (vertical, horizontal, parallel, wider one end than the other (at the top or bottom) stepped etc etc).

Photo's would be good

I doubt you'll need to go to the extent of a resin and steel type repair if the movment was temporary and has ceased.

More info please

 

[Eng33]

www.helifix.co.uk

 

[RichA]

Thanks for the replies. I tend to agree with all the above.

However, the leaseholder is keen to protect her interest and the sureveyor & structural engineer have sugested resin - so resin it will have to be.

[Sealocrete Plusbond 25 has been recommended as the resin].

What sort of builder would be best placed to do this job? And how long does it take to do?

 

[Static]

Helifix would prob be an overkill unless the cracking is extensive.. but they should be able to give details of their local product specialists, who are normally a local masonry remedial experts who partner up with them, thus get the contact info and take it from there..

 

[Shytalkz]

...as opposed to what some silly engineer wants to charge you for...

Excuse me???!

 

[Shytalkz]

...their local product specialists, who are normally a local masonry remedial experts who partner up with them, thus get the contact info and take it from there..

And they're bloody expensive too. You can buy short lengths and resin at the local BM, it's not rocket science to install.

 

[^woody^]

This Sealocrete is just pumped in with a mastic gun.

If this is what the engineer has recommended then just do it, its not hard at all.

No mention of helical bars, or other requirements has been mentioned - just sealocrete resin

 

[Shytalkz]

Yes, I realise that, it just went off at a tangent about Helibar.

Why resin bond? Why not stitch in new bricks?

 

[RichA]

The leaseholder is unfortunately not going to accept a DIY job in her flat. So guess I'll yellow pages for a builder. Perhaps FMB.

Resin. 'coz thats what the engineer advised. And if it is a DIY job then it sounds like a neat solution to the problem.

 

[Shytalkz]

If it's internal, then resin bonding is the most straightforward way - thought it was outside .

Any sensible building contractor can do it, it's not a specialist thing.

 

[^woody^]

What is the problem with costs - normally works to the structure are rechargeable pro-rata to the tenants/leaseholders