A Stitch in Time

Twistfix-registered contractor Newman Building Solutions, a leading building and structural repair company, recently completed a project in Surrey after they were contacted by an unhappy homeowner who had suffered the negative effects of employing a rogue builder. The single-storey extension had been very poorly constructed on inadequate foundations, causing it to subside and creating cracks in various areas.

Newman Building Solutions of London, whose client base ranges from private domestic customers and housing associations to engineers, loss adjusters and councils, were asked to design a scheme to restore the structural integrity of the cracked masonry and to minimise the effect of further settlement. The homeowner had already wasted a large portion of their savings and had suffered the further setback of a failed insurance claim, understandably leaving them upset and nervous at the prospect of further repairs. NBS surveyors were, however, able to monitor the movement and design a bed joint reinforcement scheme to restore the building's structural integrity and eliminate the need for piling or underpinning. Twistfix reinforcing bars were quickly installed in the external skin of the masonry, forming deep masonry beams that wrapped around the structure. The internal skin was similarly strengthened with the reinforcement. Brick walls were stitched to repair the cracked areas and replacement cavity wall ties were installed to bring the tie density up to 2.5 ties per square metre.

After the remedial work was completed, the repairs were made good with local areas of repointing and plastering, leaving hardly a trace of the repair work. The building was monitored over the next twelve months to verify that the structural repairs had worked; there was found to be no further movement and so the project was declared complete and the work was guaranteed against failure for ten years.

This case study proves how Twistfix masonry crack repair and crack stitching products, installed by a reputable, registered contractor, can quickly and easily solve the structural problems caused by inferior workmanship. Our contractors continue to demonstrate that their work is of the highest standard and so peace-of-mind comes as standard with any installation carried out by them. To find out more about our products and registered contractor scheme, please follow the link on the website or contact a member of our dedicated team directly.

For more information on reinforcement bars that stitch cracked walls contact us on 0845 123 6006 or email sales@twistfix.co.uk.