A Guide to Wall Ties Part I: Resin Grouted Ties
For more than a hundred years, cavity walls have been the most common design choice for homes in the UK. In addition to helping prevent the penetration of damp, cavity wall construction reduces the transfer of sound while simultaneously improving thermal efficiency. Wall ties, sometimes known as brick ties or cavity ties, are a crucial element of this type of construction, linking the two wall leaves together so that they work in harmony as a single unit.
Wall ties come in a variety of different types; this is the first in a three-part series of Twistfix blogs looking in more detail at these various types. Here we focus on resin grouted wall ties, in particular those from leading brand Thor Helical.
Traditionally, resin grouted wall ties are made up of several distinct components, namely a drip ring which inhibits moisture transfer, a threaded shaft portion and centralising elements which ensure that resin can encapsulate the shaft completely.
Thor Helical has simplified the idea to create a one piece helical tie that is far more efficient. The tie is crafted with deep, continuously-spiralling troughs that act to effectively prevent water from migrating across cavities between walls. Even in bores of an especially small diameter, the superior design allows the tie to be fully encircled with thixotropic resin/grout.
The spirals of Thor Helical resin fix wall ties feature longitudinal flutes which have been expressly designed to make the physical interlock between tie and adhesive as strong as possible. Perfectly suited for use in wall tie replacement projects in which the masonry quality is suspect or inconsistent, the ties boast precise pitch engineering that has been granted a patent. Once installed, the unique twist configuration and cross-sectional profile of the ties allow them to easily accommodate differential movement in any direction.
Stainless steel, a material noted for its exceptional strength and durability, is used to fabricate Thor Helical resin ties. In addition to providing a good level of fire resistance, the stainless steel ties are also strongly resistant to attack by corrosion, a problem that can have serious negative effects on the stability and integrity of a cavity wall structure.
If you'd like to find out more about Thor Helical resin grouted wall ties then please visit the product page on our website, where you can also download a detailed data sheet and instructions for installation. Get in touch with our skilled technical team if you need any advice. To stay in touch with all the latest news from Twistfix, please subscribe to our newsletter.