On 31 Jan, 15:32, wrote:
Hi,

I am getting a bit doubtful about doing this myself but I thought I'd
see if there is anyone who has !

I live in an 1870's property that has signs of settlement, the
property is of solid stone construction with some quite large stones,
e the lintels are 36" by 8".

These have showed sign of cracking, the crack is the height of the
stop but does not appear to be all the way through. I have been
speaking to a builder who I casually know and he has suggested that he
has seen three ways of fixing this. These are

1. "Stitching in" - This seems to be placing steel bars above the
cracked stones so that they then take the weight of the structure and
hence no additional weight on the cracked stone so they wont get
worse.

2."Stapling" - cut about 4 inches off the front of the stone and then
fire in staples which will stop re-enforce the stone and prevent the
cracking getting worse. The 4" that were removed are replaced by a
stone mix which faces off the repair.

3.Replacing the stone is also an option but have you seen the price of
stone these days !!!

Anyone done any of these ?
If so comments appreciated...in fact any comments appreciated,

Cheers
l.c

Dear l.c

Outside my direct field but I do have some experience of this on site.
consider various options and points

1) the "end" of the crack should be drilled as a stop point of the
stress point - this may be difficult to determine let alone do in
practice but the issue should be considered
2) helibars can be drilled through the lintel if there is close enough
access from the side
3) the load above can be taken off it with reinforcing as you suggest
- I have in mind stainless steel bars set in mortar but to do this you
may have to needle pin and/or provide connections on the bars by doing
it in sections
4) a flat metal plate under as has been suggested but this would be
visible
5) rebuild an "arch" above ( over expensive)

I would avoid like the Plague any use of resins with sandstone despite
glowing comments on two grounds
a) not reversible - a good principle to apply to any conservation
repair
b) such dissimilar materials with repect to water movement and
concommitant freewze thaw cycles

Chris