County Antrim · Northern Ireland
Crack stitching in County Antrim
If you live in County Antrim and are looking at crack stitching, the first question is why the wall moved. Most of County Antrim is on firmer ground than the clay belts of the south-east; historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of County Antrim in the past.
Guide price from£70per metre of crack inc VAT
- Area
- County Antrim
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
- Ground
- Mostly firmer ground
- Towns listed
- 8
Is County Antrim prone to ground movement?
County Antrim is largely basalt over chalk, with soft estuarine 'sleech' along Belfast Lough that is notorious for settlement. Historic salt mining is recorded near Carrickfergus.
Historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of County Antrim in the past. Housing stock in County Antrim: Red-brick terraces in Belfast, Victorian villas, and post-war and newer estates.
Crack stitching prices in County Antrim
Prices in County Antrim are worked out on Northern Ireland rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with stainless helical bars | £70 – £160 | per metre of crack |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £310 – £440 | per visit |
| Repointing over the stitched line in matching mortarest. | £25 – £55 | per metre |
How we usually approach crack stitching
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
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
What happens during crack stitching, step by step?
Confirm the cause has stopped
Before quoting we check what made the wall crack and whether it is still moving. If there is doubt, we suggest a period of monitoring or an engineer’s view, rather than stitching a crack that will simply open again.
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.
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.
What to look for before calling about crack stitching
- Filled cracks that keep reopening along the same line
- Stepped cracking beside a window, door or corner
- A crack you can fit a coin into, running through bricks and mortar
- Cracking that a surveyor or engineer has said is now stable
Do you need approval for crack stitching in Northern Ireland?
In Northern Ireland, minor repairs usually need no approval, but structural work comes under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 and council building control. There is no Party Wall Act in Northern Ireland.
Find crack stitching in your County Antrim town
Questions about crack stitching in County Antrim
Why do houses in County Antrim crack?
County Antrim is largely basalt over chalk, with soft estuarine 'sleech' along Belfast Lough that is notorious for settlement. Historic salt mining is recorded near Carrickfergus. Historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of County Antrim in the past. Only an investigation on site can say why a particular building has moved.
How much will crack stitching cost in County Antrim?
On Northern Ireland rates, crack stitching starts from about £70 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.
Does crack stitching stop a wall moving?
No, crack stitching reconnects cracked masonry but does not stop the movement that caused it. If the ground is still shrinking, a drain is still leaking or ties are still rusting, a stitched wall can crack again nearby. The cause has to be identified and dealt with first.
Can I stitch a crack myself?
It is possible on a small, stable crack, but the work involves cutting into joints with a twin-blade cutter, controlling silica dust and placing the bars correctly. If the crack is part of an insurance claim or is wide, have it assessed first, because a poor repair can hide ongoing movement.