Structural Crack Stitching

A.R.S.S. provide solutions for cracked walls and structural stabilisation issues. Repairs return structural strength to equal to or greater than original. A.R.S.S. utilise helical crack stitching and underpinning to deliver the perfect solution to cracked walls, unstable footings and foundations. Save thousands on rebuilding costs and simply repair the existing structure.

The only option previously available to remedy major building defects was to undertake extensive (and expensive) rehabilitation works or to knock down and rebuild completely from scratch.  Using A.R.S.S. partner products such as helical Wall Stitching, we guarantee to make your building stronger and more secure than it was before.  Typically the integrity of the repair will remain structurally secure in excess of the building's life span / usage expectancy.

The Right Approach

Every cracked wall is unique and requires a specialised solution. ARSS visit every site and investigate possible causes of movement and cracking.
For example broken sewer or storm water pipes, adjacent trees, recent excavations or extreme weather events.
Critically, much of the initial appraisal must be done by visual observation. Experience in knowing where to look and what to look for is vital and can make the difference of tens of thousands of dollars. CCTV inspection of below ground pipes may be recommended or core drill sampling or use of ground penetrating radar.

Helical Technique Benefits

Designed repairs by specialist Engineers

Repair Products meet or exceed Australian design and building standards and codes 

Full advice and technical support

All products independently tested and approved

Minimal-disruptive, concealed, installation

Proven in all types of masonry structures

High quality, cost-effective and reliable

 

Wall Crack Stitching

Years of drought have caused extensive structural damage to residences throughout many suburbs of Melbourne.

Most of houses in the area sit on a base of bluestone boulders which is the prevailing substrate in the area.  As the substrate boulders shift over the years (exaggerated by the severe drought) the use of brick construction popular in the pre war and post WWII era cannot move with the earth as it adjusts with the climate conditions, resulting in damage to footings, cracked walls and building structures.

Masonry may deteriorate, delaminate and fail for a variety of reasons. Most of these problems can be overcome by using various combinations of Helifix remedial ties and masonry reinforcement products and techniques.
Helifix products are able to provide secure, lasting connections in all forms of brick, blocks, concrete, stone, timber and traditional local building materials, and have proven to be fully effective in virtually every type of masonry structure from medieval churches to modern tower blocks, bridges and tunnels, to all forms of housing.

Some of the most commonly occurring structural faults can affect every type of commercial and residential property of any ages or construction, and a number of Helifix repair strategies may be used to overcome them. Helifix masonry repair strategies involve the external installation of product in the vast majority of situations and have been designed to ensure minimal disruption to building occupants and leave the repaired building visibly unimpaired.

Using various combinations of Helifix ties, fixings and reinforcing rods virtually any situation can be dealt with so do not hesitate to contact us if you have a problem.

Raising & Stabilising

A.R.S.S. uses cutting edge technologies and techniques for the raising and stabilising of structures to solve cracked wall problems.

Cracks in walls are not uncommon in Australian houses - occurring in both outside brickwork walls and inside plaster-board and rendered walls. There are many possible causes of cracked walls. One of the common causes is the sinking of building footings supporting the wall.

Often footings sink when they lose support from the foundation ground. The recent years of drought and subsequent heavy rainfall in Australia can affect soils containing reactive clay. The clay shrinks and the house loses support. This practically never happens evenly, so parts of the footing sink and wall cracks appear.

When relevelling sunken floors and foundations such wall cracks usually close up.  The process of raising, re-levelling and re-supporting a house is called ‘underpinning’. When Underpinning is required Mr Crack employ the most efficient and no fuss method on the market:

METHOD

• The modern way to underpin your home.
• Keyhole surgery compared with concrete underpinning.
• None of the drawbacks of concrete underpinning.
• Structural expanding resin is injected through tiny holes.
• Resins expand, to fill any voids, compact any soft ground and then raise the home back to level.
• No excavation, no water, no cement dust and no mess.
• No need for occupants to move out.
• Raising and relevelling a house rarely takes more than one day, often just a few hours.
• There's usually no need to move much furniture or even floor coverings.
• Often most work is done from outside. When working inside and where floor surfaces such as parquetry or ceramic tiles require it, injection can be carried out through even smaller 6 mm holes, placed carefully to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Typically underpinning is used in combination with helical Wall Stitching. Re-pointing of mortar joints, patching and repainting may also be needed. A.R.S.S. cannot guarantee that all wall cracks will indeed close up as the footings are lifted: structural movement or previous patching may prevent them from closing fully. Hence the reason A.R.S.S. employs wall stitching techniques which prevent future movement and re-opening of cracks. Gaps below skirting boards are also usually closed up. Windows and doors also usually begin to work properly again as sunken footings and floors return back to their correct levels.

http://www.thorhelical.com/