Andover · Hampshire
Crack stitching in Andover
Got a crack you can slip a coin into? In Andover, as anywhere, that is usually wide enough to justify stitching rather than filling, provided an engineer or surveyor agrees the wall has stopped moving.
Guide price from£90per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SP10
- Population
- about 42,000
- Area
- Hampshire
- Pricing region
- South East
What should you know about the ground under Andover?
Andover (SP10) has around 42,000 residents and sits in Hampshire. If you are just outside Andover, we also cover Winchester (13 miles), Newbury (15 miles) and Romsey (15 miles).
Hampshire is one of the parts of the UK where clay soils are most likely to move with the seasons. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Across Hampshire, most homes are Victorian terraces in Portsmouth and Southampton, 1930s semis, and large post-war and new-build estates.
Methods for 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 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
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
- A crack you can fit a coin into, running through bricks and mortar
- A crack visible on both the inside and outside face of the wall
- Cracking that a surveyor or engineer has said is now stable
Guide prices for crack stitching in Andover
The ranges below reflect typical South East costs for crack stitching, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Crack stitching with stainless helical bars | £90 – £200 | per metre of crack |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £390 – £560 | per visit |
| Repointing over the stitched line in matching mortarest. | £35 – £65 | per metre |
Rules for crack stitching in England
Like-for-like repairs such as crack stitching and repointing do not usually need building control approval in England, but anything that changes or strengthens the structure, such as underpinning or rebuilding a wall, does. If the work touches a party wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 may apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for crack stitching in Andover?
Guide prices for crack stitching in Andover start from about £90 per metre of crack, including VAT, on South East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Andover?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Andover, including SP10, and from nearby places such as Winchester and Newbury. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Hampshire crack?
Central Hampshire is chalk, while the south around Portsmouth, Southampton and the New Forest fringe and the north-east around Farnborough sit on London Clay, Reading Beds and other clays and sands. The clay areas see seasonal movement near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
How long does crack stitching last?
Stainless steel bars do not rust, so a stitched repair in a stable wall should last as long as the surrounding brickwork. The repair only fails early when the wall keeps moving, which is why the cause is dealt with before the bars go in.
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.
Related work in Andover
- Floor joist repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Wall tie replacement
- Retaining wall repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
Crack stitching near Andover
Unsure whether a crack in Andover has stopped moving? Pictures with the date on them, taken over a few weeks, help us advise before any bars go in.