Cracked Brickwork Repair with Thorhelical

Cracked brickwork is more common than you might think. Whether it’s due to ground movement, weather changes, poor construction or age, even the most solid-looking wall can develop splits over time. But don’t worry – there’s a clever and cost-effective way to fix these cracks without rebuilding the whole wall. It’s called crack stitching, and Thorhelical is leading the way with innovative tools and materials to make the process easier, stronger and longer-lasting.

Let’s break it all down so you know exactly how it works and why it’s a smart choice for repairing cracked brickwork

Before we talk about fixing cracks, it helps to know why they appear in the first place. Common causes include:

• Foundation movement – when the ground under your house shifts, the walls can crack.
• Water damage – excess moisture in the soil or walls can weaken the bricks and mortar.
• Temperature changes – hot and cold weather causes expansion and contraction, which stresses the walls.
• Poor construction – if a wall wasn’t built correctly to begin with, it’s more likely to crack.
• Heavy loads – extra weight from extensions or upper floors can add pressure to lower walls.

Regardless of the cause, once a crack appears, it won’t fix itself. Left untreated, it can get worse and lead to more serious problems – even collapse in extreme cases

Thorhelical offers a system that makes fixing cracked walls straightforward and effective. Instead of replacing bricks or rebuilding sections, crack stitching strengthens the wall from the inside using high-grade stainless steel bars and a special grout. This solution ties the cracked parts of the brickwork back together and helps prevent further movement.

Here’s why it works so well:

• Durable materials: Thorhelical uses 316-grade stainless steel bars that resist rust and corrosion – perfect for lasting repairs.
• Helical design: The spiral shape of the bars helps absorb stress and movement, rather than transferring it along the crack.
• Strong grout: The bonding agent used (WHO-60 grout) is extremely strong and helps lock the bars into the wall securely.

This system isn’t just for professionals. It’s designed to be user-friendly too, with ready-to-use kits that include everything needed for a typical repair job.

Now, let’s walk through the process in plain English. If you’re a builder, handyman or even a confident DIYer, this will give you a clear picture of what to expect.

Using a grinder or chisel, you cut a horizontal slot into the mortar line that runs across the cracked area. The slot should go about 500mm (half a metre) either side of the crack to spread the support. This is where the steel bar will sit.

You need to remove all dust and debris from the slot so that the bonding material sticks properly. A wire brush and water usually do the trick.

Next, you fill the back of the slot with Thorhelical’s WHO-60 grout. This acts like a super-strong glue that will hold the helical bar in place.

Push the steel bar into the grout-filled slot. You want it nicely embedded and centred so that it reinforces the wall properly.

Finally, add a little more grout to cover the bar completely, then finish the joint with mortar that matches the existing brickwork. Once it’s dry, the repair becomes almost invisible.

For bigger cracks or walls with multiple problem areas, you simply repeat the process at different levels, spacing the bars vertically around 300mm apart.

There are plenty of reasons why builders and homeowners across South Africa trust Thorhelical:

• Tried and tested: Thorhelical’s crack stitching bars have been tested to perform under high loads – they can handle up to 1200 N/mm² of tension.

• Easy to install: With clear instructions and complete kits, even small contractors or experienced DIYers can manage the repair.

• Less mess, less stress: Unlike knocking down walls or using heavy machinery, crack stitching is clean and quick, with minimal disruption.

• Looks great: Once finished, the repair blends in with the existing wall – no ugly patches or mismatched bricks.

• Long-term peace of mind: The system strengthens your wall and reduces the chances of future cracks forming.

Thorhelical South Africa offers a full range of products for brick repair, including:

• Crack Stitch Kits
• Stainless Steel Reinforcement Bars
• Cementitious WHO-60 Grout

You can order online, and if you’re not sure what you need, their team is happy to help with advice tailored to your project.

Cracked brickwork doesn’t have to be a cause for panic. With Thorhelical’s reliable and easy-to-use crack stitching system, you can repair the damage quickly, safely and without spending a fortune. Whether you’re restoring an old property, maintaining a new build, or fixing damage from ground movement, this method gives your brickwork a second life – stronger and better than before.

To learn more or get started with a kit, visit thorhelical.co.za today.