- Client: Dave Black – Motor mechanics
- Location: Paterson Street, Methil
- Duration: 7 Days
- Work Involved: tructural survey, inspection of external and internal cracking, crack stitching recommendations, render removal, epoxy resin repairs, structural reinforcement and re-rendering works.
Bell Preservation & Restoration were asked to inspect a commercial property at Paterson Street, Methil / Leven, following concerns over significant cracking to the right-hand elevation of the building.
During the external inspection, a substantial structural crack was identified extending from ground level to beyond roof height. The defect was visible through the rendered finish, with clear separation evident within the wall face. The wall was understood to be of solid 9 inch brick construction, with the cracking reported to continue through to the internal walls. This indicated that the movement was affecting the wall structure itself and was not limited to a superficial failure of the render.
The existing render had also been applied over an older render coat, both of which were damaged around the crack line. Due to the severity and continuity of the defect, the affected elevation was considered to have been materially compromised and in need of specialist structural repair.
Internally, corresponding cracking was reported in line with the external defect. This further confirmed that the movement was passing through the wall thickness and reinforced the need for structural crack stabilisation works.
The recommended repair works included erecting full-height scaffolding to the affected elevation, removing the damaged render back to bare brickwork, and exposing the full extent of the defect. Horizontal beds would then be cut into the masonry before heavy-duty tensile crack stitching bars were installed at every second brick course, or closer where required. The bars would be bedded into high-strength epoxy resin grout and finished flush with the brick face.
Additional lateral cracking and fractured areas would be filled with epoxy resin for further strength, before all prepared brickwork and cut channels were treated with SBR latex bonding agent. The elevation would then be re-rendered using Scotrend or K Rend, matched as closely as possible to the existing finish.
The cracking to this elevation was considered a serious structural defect. As the movement appeared to be active and extended through the wall thickness, specialist stabilisation and reinstatement works were recommended without undue delay.
