Crack Stitching with HeliBond. Why is it important?

HeliBond is an injectable, non-shrink, thixotropic, cementitious grout that rapidly develops high compressive bond strength. It has been specifically formulated by Helifix to achieve the highest standards required that are necessary to ensure effectiveness and structural safety of the repair undertaken using Helifix product.

Key characteristics

• Non-shrink grout  which exhibits excellent thixotropic properties
• Flows easily under pressure to fill voids
• Rapidly develops compressive strength
• Cures to 6525psi
• Ready-to-mix components supplied in two-pack sets to reduce waste

HeliBond is suitable for bonding HeliBars into most common masonry-type substrates, including brick, stone, pre-cast concrete and Aircrete blocks.

Frequently asked questions

Does HeliBond grout create hard spots in a building?

Only a very low cross sectional area of HeliBond is typically required, and the HeliBars are flexible. This will allow normal building movements to be readily accommodated. So while being effective in tension, the usage of HeliBond Grout will not create stiff elements within the masonry with the potential to cause damage.

Is HeliBond suitable to use with lime mortar masonry?

Yes it is, HeliBond works differently to most common hard cementitious grouts. HeliBond is applied as a thin layer, with the ability to micro-crack, providing high tensile reinforcement to strengthen low compressive strength lime mortar masonry, while not stiffening it.

Why is HeliBond thixotropic?

HeliBond grout has been formulated to be readily injectible, while also holding its form on reaching the location that it is being injected to. HeliBond has a low liquid to powder ratio creating a thixotropic grout that avoids wastage and eliminates issues with slumping of the material prior to curing.

Can I use any applicator gun?

HeliBond should be injected with an applicator with a re-usable cartridge. Helifix sells a Crack Stitching Gun, and a Heavy Duty Gun suitable for Crack Stitching and CemTies. It is mixed using a power mixer in the supplied bucket and then transferred into the cartridge. When used for Crack Stitching the applicator must have a nozzle suitable for reaching into the relevant bed joint height. When using CemTies the Heavy Duty Gun should be used and appropriate Pinning Nozzle manufactured by Helifix will be required. Helifix also sell 4mm and 9.5mm wide Mortar Nozzles for use with their guns for Crack Stitching.

How do I clean my tools after using HeliBond grout?

Immediately after use, always clean all tools, mixers and containers with fresh clean water. Ensure that no grout remains within the mechanism. A spherical (toilet) brush is useful for cleaning the barrel and around the mechanism. If the pail is to be used more than once ensure that the pail is completely clean before loading fresh material.

When can I re point after installing HeliBars and grout?

Re-pointing may be undertaken immediately, although ideally the HeliBond should be recessed adequately below the surface and left for a few hours to start to ‘skin’ before re-pointing.

How much coverage can I achieve with HeliBond?

HeliBond is supplied packed in a pail containing two-packs of dry powder and two packs of liquid ready for mixing as a “set”. The formulation includes an expansion agent, to compensate for normal cement hydration shrinkage, to maintain a tight bond in its hardened state. A 3 Litre tub of HeliBond Grout provides enough coverage for approximately 35 linear feet (2 beads of grout) of single HeliBar Crack Stitching.

Visit our YouTube Channel to see a live installation of Crack Stitching and how to mix HeliBond Grout.