Angus and Dundee · Scotland
Crack stitching in Angus and Dundee
We arrange surveys and price crack stitching throughout Angus and Dundee. Most of Angus and Dundee is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east, and we take that into account before recommending a method.
Guide price from£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Area
- Angus and Dundee
- Pricing region
- Scotland
- Ground
- Mostly firmer ground
- Towns listed
- 5
Is Angus and Dundee prone to ground movement?
Angus and Dundee sit on Old Red Sandstone and igneous rock with glacial and raised-beach deposits. Hillside sites in Dundee mean retaining walls are common.
Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. What you mostly find across Angus and Dundee: sandstone tenements in Dundee, fishing-town houses and post-war estates.
Methods for crack stitching
Helical bars in resin grout
A resin grout bonds quickly and strongly to the bar and masonry and suits wet conditions or work that must take load sooner. It is less forgiving of soft or crumbly bricks, so the choice of grout is made wall by wall rather than as a rule.
Best for: Dense bricks, damp walls and repairs needing a fast cure
Helical bars in cementitious grout
The most common approach. A slot is cut along the bed joint with a twin-blade cutter, flushed out and part filled with a cement-based grout. The helical bar is pushed in, more grout is packed over it, and the joint is pointed to match. The grout cures over a few days.
Best for: Most brick and block walls, including older softer bricks
Stitching with crack injection
Once the bars are in, the crack itself is filled. Fine cracks are pointed in matching mortar, while wider or deeper cracks can be injected with grout so the void inside the wall is filled rather than just the face. On older houses, lime mortar keeps the repair breathable.
Best for: Deep cracks running through the full thickness of the wall
From first photo to finished repair
Set out the bars
Bar positions are marked across the crack, typically every few courses up its full height, with each bar extending well into sound brickwork on both sides. An engineer’s specification, where there is one, sets the exact spacing and length.
Repoint to match
The cut joints and crack are pointed in a mortar chosen to match the colour, texture and strength of the existing work. On older houses with soft bricks, a lime mortar is used so the repair does not trap moisture.
Make good and record
Internal plaster cracks are cut out and filled where included, and dust is cleared. You receive a short note of where the bars went, which is useful for future buyers, surveyors and any insurance file.
Symptoms that point to crack stitching
- Cracking that a surveyor or engineer has said is now stable
- A crack visible on both the inside and outside face of the wall
- Bricks split clean through where the crack crosses them
- Stepped cracking beside a window, door or corner
Guide prices for crack stitching in Angus and Dundee
These are guide prices for Angus and Dundee, using Scotland rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with stainless helical bars | £75 – £170 | per metre of crack |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £330 – £475 | per visit |
| Repointing over the stitched line in matching mortarest. | £30 – £55 | per metre |
Do you need approval for crack stitching in Scotland?
In Scotland, small repairs often do not need a building warrant, but structural alterations and strengthening generally do. Check with the council’s building standards service if unsure; there is no Party Wall Act in Scotland.
Towns in Angus and Dundee we cover for crack stitching
Frequently asked questions
Is the ground in Angus and Dundee prone to subsidence?
Angus and Dundee sit on Old Red Sandstone and igneous rock with glacial and raised-beach deposits. Hillside sites in Dundee mean retaining walls are common. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will crack stitching cost in Angus and Dundee?
On Scotland rates, crack stitching starts from about £75 per metre of crack, including VAT. The written price depends on the extent of the damage, access and whether an engineer or building control is needed.
Is resin or cement grout better for crack stitching?
Neither is better in every case. Cement-based grout suits most walls and is kinder to soft, older bricks, while resin grout bonds faster and copes better with damp. The choice depends on the masonry, the conditions and any engineer’s specification.
Will crack stitching be visible afterwards?
Usually only slightly, because the bars sit inside the mortar joints and are pointed over. The main giveaway is the colour of new mortar, which can take a few months to weather. Careful mortar matching keeps the line discreet, especially on older brickwork.
How far apart are helical bars placed?
Helical bars are usually placed every few courses up the full height of the crack, each one running well past the crack into sound brickwork. Spacing and bar length depend on the wall and the crack width, and where an engineer has specified the repair, their drawing sets them.