Loughborough · Leicestershire
Crack stitching in Loughborough
Got a crack you can slip a coin into? In Loughborough, 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£80per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LE11, LE12
- Population
- about 65,000
- Area
- Leicestershire
- Pricing region
- East Midlands
Is Leicestershire prone to ground movement?
With roughly 65,000 people, Loughborough spans postcode districts LE11, LE12 in Leicestershire. We also take enquiries from nearby Mountsorrel (4 miles), Coalville (8 miles) and Leicester (9 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Leicestershire. Parts of Leicestershire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Housing stock in Leicestershire: Victorian terraces in Leicester and Loughborough, inter-war semis and large post-war estates.
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 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.
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.
What to look for before calling about crack stitching
- A crack you can fit a coin into, running through bricks and mortar
- Stepped cracking beside a window, door or corner
- Bricks split clean through where the crack crosses them
Crack stitching prices in Loughborough
Prices in Loughborough are worked out on East Midlands 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 | £80 – £175 | per metre of crack |
| Small jobs (minimum visit)est. | £345 – £490 | per visit |
| Repointing over the stitched line in matching mortarest. | £30 – £60 | 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.
Questions about crack stitching in Loughborough
How much should I budget for crack stitching in Loughborough?
Guide prices for crack stitching in Loughborough start from about £80 per metre of crack, including VAT, on East Midlands 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 Loughborough?
We do. Loughborough and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Mountsorrel and Coalville. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Leicestershire crack?
Leicestershire has Mercia Mudstone, Lias clay and glacial till across much of the county, with the Coalville and Swadlincote coalfield in the north-west. Clay soils near large trees can move with the seasons. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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.
Related work in Loughborough
Crack stitching near Loughborough
Hold a ruler against the crack at your Loughborough home, take a clear photo and send it in for a free initial assessment and a guide price.