Blaydon-on-Tyne · Tyne and Wear
Crack stitching in Blaydon-on-Tyne
Got a crack you can slip a coin into? In Blaydon-on-Tyne, 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£75per metre of crack inc VAT
- Postcodes
- NE15, NE21, NE40
- Population
- about 15,000
- Area
- Tyne and Wear
- Pricing region
- North East
How do local ground conditions affect crack stitching in Blaydon-on-Tyne?
We cover Blaydon-on-Tyne and its postcode districts NE15, NE21, NE40, part of Tyne and Wear, with a population of roughly 15,000. Neighbouring towns we cover: Whickham (2 miles), Newcastle upon Tyne (4 miles) and Stanley (7 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Tyne and Wear. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Tyne and Wear, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Housing stock in Tyne and Wear: Tyneside flats and terraces, Victorian villas, inter-war council estates and post-war semis.
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?
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.
What to look for before calling about crack stitching
- A crack visible on both the inside and outside face of the wall
- 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 Blaydon-on-Tyne
The ranges below reflect typical North 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 | £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 |
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 Blaydon-on-Tyne
How much should I budget for crack stitching in Blaydon-on-Tyne?
Guide prices for crack stitching in Blaydon-on-Tyne start from about £75 per metre of crack, including VAT, on North 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 Blaydon-on-Tyne?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Blaydon-on-Tyne, including NE15, NE21, NE40, and from nearby places such as Whickham and Newcastle upon Tyne. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Why do houses in Tyne and Wear crack?
Tyne and Wear lies on the Durham and Northumberland coalfield, with old shallow workings recorded beneath parts of Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland, mostly under a cover of glacial clay. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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 Blaydon-on-Tyne
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Brick arch repairs
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Wall tie replacement
Crack stitching near Blaydon-on-Tyne
Get a fixed price in writing for crack stitching in Blaydon-on-Tyne once the repair is specified, with internal making good shown as a separate line.