Install Helifix or not?

tigertrio

I have an exterior vertical crack in my wall (heat expansion), the loss adjuster pointed me in the direction of Helifix.

I also did a structural survey and was told to "rake out mortar and fill with flexible acrylic filler". 

I asked for additional clarification from the surveyor as the loss adjuster and a lot of blogs online discuss Helifix in relation to heat expansion cracks.

The surveyor said "Helifix recommends using their product only for cracks wider than 2mm, so our recommendations align with this guidance. However, if you choose to proceed, it is acceptable to install the Helifix bars.".

So, should I install Helifix or not? The cost is not an issue here as it's covered by insurance.

FreeBear

Some photos of the crack and of the wider context would help.
Generally, if the crack is just in the mortar joints, doesn't go through any bricks, and is less than ~3mm wide, rake out and repoint. If you can put your finger in to the gap, fix the underlying cause and use helibars to stitch the crack in accordance with the advice of a structural engineer.

tigertrio

FreeBear said:

Some photos of the crack and of the wider context would help.
Generally, if the crack is just in the mortar joints, doesn't go through any bricks, and is less than ~3mm wide, rake out and repoint. If you can put your finger in to the gap, fix the underlying cause and use helibars to stitch the crack in accordance with the advice of a structural engineer.

It's in a corner, and it does go through bricks.


The crack is not on a long wall though, its in a corner where to walls meet like this:

                 <3m>
               _______
________|< crack
  <7m>

Width of crack is around 2mm.

stuart45

FreeBear said:

Some photos of the crack and of the wider context would help.
Generally, if the crack is just in the mortar joints, doesn't go through any bricks, and is less than ~3mm wide, rake out and repoint. If you can put your finger in to the gap, fix the underlying cause and use helibars to stitch the crack in accordance with the advice of a structural engineer.

There's plenty of photos of you look on his previous threads about this problem.