Help! - Crack in external wall outside home

Jainar

Stuart any recommendations for a good bricklayer in London? Hopefully the structural engineer confirms no subsidence in which case I will need a good bricklayer to rake out the mortar and replace with lime mortar.

stuart45

I'm sorry Jainar, I live in Somerset, but hopefully there will be someone on here who can help with this.
Just make sure the mortar is raked out about 20-25mm., cleaned out and then well damped down before the repoint. Freezing temps are to be avoided as this will affect the mortar.

Jainar

Is it worthwhile putting in helical spiral ties? Is this suitable for Victorian houses?

FreeBear

Jainar wrote: »

Is it worthwhile putting in helical spiral ties? Is this suitable for Victorian houses?

Unlikely helical ties will do much in the long term - They are usually fixed in place with a cement based grout. If there is any movement in the wall, cracks will appear further away from the problem area. You may also find that the grout will crack and fall out as is happening with the cement pointing.

If you are going to do any work on that part of the wall, temporarily remove the down pipe, rake out the cement mortar and repoint with a pure lime mix. This will be much more forgiving if there is any slight movement of the building and won't crack & fall out like cement will.

Jainar

Any recommendation on good independent structural engineers in London? I've called a number having found them over the internet and two came back. One was very interested in selling me repairs and mentioned his firm can do repairs and the other just seemed slightly off (website with simple grammar mistakes, etc.). Any help much appreciated.

Jainar

Quick question: my structural engineer has recommended the usage of epoxy resin as a mortar for my Victorian property.

Has anyone had experience of the quality of using such a material for mortar in a Victorian property? I dont want to cause more problems - the previous owner used cement for mortar and is causing me a right headache!

stuart45

Normally use lime mortar for a Victorian property and resin for the patio slabs. Did the SE explain what was causing the movement and the reason for using resin? What else did advise for remedial action?

Jainar

He is saying that lime mortar mix is not usually mixed properly by builders. Epoxy resin is pre-mixed therefore a better material...

Doozergirl

But what is the issue?

Something is causing it to move. What is causing it to move? Is it ongoing?

FreeBear

Jainar wrote: »

He is saying that lime mortar mix is not usually mixed properly by builders. Epoxy resin is pre-mixed therefore a better material...

Three parts sand to one part NHL lime. Stir with a paddle mixer for five minutes or so in a bucket. Once an even colour, add water whilst mixing. Leave to stand for 30 minutes, and then give another five minute stir. For the small amount you'd use, it is hardly worth firing up a cement mixer.

Resin will form an impenetrable barrier to moisture trapping the water within the bricks. During a cold winter, this water will freeze causing the bricks to spall. In addition, the resin will form a strong bond to the bricks. Should there be any further movement, the bricks are likely to crack rather than the mortar joints (even more likely if helical rods are inserted in the mortar joints).