Caernarfon · Gwynedd
Crack stitching in Caernarfon
Before we stitch a crack at a Caernarfon property, we want to know why it opened and whether it has stopped. Stitching a wall that is still moving rarely holds, so the cause comes first and the bars come second.
Guide price from£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LL55
- Population
- about 10,000
- Area
- Gwynedd
- Pricing region
- Wales
What should you know about the ground under Caernarfon?
Postcode districts LL55 cover Caernarfon, a Gwynedd town of about 10,000 people. Nearby places we cover include Llangefni (8 miles), Bangor (9 miles) and Pwllheli (18 miles).
Clay shrinkage is less of a concern in Gwynedd, so other causes such as drains, poor footings or older walls are checked first. Old metal-mine shafts and workings are recorded in places, so mining searches are routine for some properties. Housing stock in Gwynedd: Slate and stone terraces, chapels and cottages, Victorian seaside houses and post-war estates.
What happens during crack stitching, step by step?
Cut, clean and grout
Slots are cut into the bed joints to the right depth, dust is blown and washed out, and grout is placed. The bars are pressed home and covered, and the crack line is filled or injected.
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.
What to look for before calling about crack stitching
- Filled cracks that keep reopening along the same line
- A crack you can fit a coin into, running through bricks and mortar
- Bricks split clean through where the crack crosses them
Crack stitching prices in Caernarfon
For Caernarfon we use Wales rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with stainless helical bars | £75 – £165 | per metre of crack |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £320 – £460 | per visit |
| Repointing over the stitched line in matching mortarest. | £30 – £55 | per metre |
How we usually approach crack stitching
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 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
Rules for crack stitching in Wales
In Wales, small like-for-like repairs do not usually need approval, but work that alters or strengthens the structure needs building control under the Welsh Building Regulations, and the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can apply to shared walls.
Questions about crack stitching in Caernarfon
What is the price of crack stitching in Caernarfon?
Guide prices for crack stitching in Caernarfon start from about £75 per metre of crack, including VAT, on Wales rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out crack stitching in Caernarfon?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Caernarfon, including LL55, and from nearby places such as Llangefni and Bangor. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Does the ground around Caernarfon cause cracking?
Gwynedd and Anglesey are mostly hard rock with glacial deposits, so clay shrinkage is uncommon. Historic slate quarrying and metal mining have left tips and workings in places. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can crack stitching be done from outside only?
Often yes, especially on cavity walls where only the outer leaf has cracked. On solid walls, or where the crack shows clearly inside, bars may be needed on both faces to reconnect the full thickness. We check both sides before quoting.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Caernarfon
Crack stitching near Caernarfon
Have a loss adjuster’s schedule for a Caernarfon property? Send it over and we can price the crack stitching to it line by line.