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Melbourne House Subsidence

House subsidence is the most common reason for traditional underpinning in Melbourne, an essential process to prevent further sinkage and remedy cracks and damage to flooring and walls. There are different types of underpinning and building subsidence solutions, from cement grout underpinning and concrete underpinning to steel piles and resin injections. 

Regarding house subsidence, the most common causes include high levels of rainfall, cracked pipes, aerated subsoil, tree roots and vegetation, and poor drainage or disconnected downpipes. 

At Raise + Relevel, we have extensive experience in underpinning properties, and we have a variety of solutions available to ensure we address the current problem and prevent future issues from arising.

What is house subsidence?

When the ground beneath a property starts to sink, it pulls the foundation with it, and that is subsidence. The outcome is shifting floors and walls that cause cracks in the structure, which can destabilise the property’s structural integrity. 

It’s a severe problem, and other issues can trigger similar symptoms; it’s important to reach out to a team with a structural engineer to complete a structural assessment to determine whether there are signs of subsidence. It may not be a subsidence issue; it could be a landslip (downward movement), simple settlement, or heave (reverse subsidence). 

In Melbourne, house subsidence is more common than you’d think, and there are signs to look out for, but the cause of subsidence is not always clear.

Signs of house subsidence

Recognising the warning signs of subsidence is crucial for homeowners. Look out for these indicators to address potential structural issues promptly.

Sinking or tilting floors 

Sinking floors indicate subsidence, but you should also be on the lookout for skirting boards separating from the wall and tilting, sinking or sloping floors. 

Cracking walls 

When a building starts to sink, it disrupts the structural integrity, which means cracks in the walls and sometimes the floors. In addition to cracked walls, leaning walls are also a bad sign. 

Doors and windows 

If your doors and windows don’t open and close properly, this could clearly indicate that you have a subsidence issue or something bigger at play. Look out for jammed doors, sticking windows, and misalignments. 

Uneven concrete driveways or patios 

Your driveway or patio can provide you with early notice of home subsidence. If your concrete has raised or lowered spots, you may need a ground engineer. 

Cracks in the foundation or basement walls 

Buildings do crack over time, so a hairline crack isn’t a major cause for concern, but if those gaps are widening or there are large fissures, you should look for further signs of subsidence. 

Water seeping through the basement walls or floor 

Water leaks are a clear indication of a bigger problem, and if water is seeping through the floor or your basement walls, then there is a chance of subsidence. 

If you have noticed any of the signs listed above, contact a licensed builder or underpinning company immediately.

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The dangers of house subsidence

Ignoring the signs of can lead to severe consequences. Unstable foundations can cause serious structural damage, making your home a safety hazard. Subsidence can also ruin your property, damaging driveways, patios, and landscaping. In extreme cases, subsidence can even lead to the collapse of a building, posing a significant risk to the occupants.

Preventing house subsidence

No one wants to deal with house subsidence and the serious damage it can cause. But don’t worry. There are steps you can take to reduce the risk.

Regular home maintenance and inspections

Regular upkeep of your home is a top priority. This doesn’t just mean a fresh coat of paint every few years. Look for signs of subsidence, like cracks in walls or uneven floors. Are doors or windows sticking more than usual? That could be a sign too.

If you live in an area with reactive soil or if your house has seen a few decades, consider getting a professional inspector involved. They can spot the signs you might miss and give advice on how to fix any issues.

Proper site drainage

Water build-up near your house’s foundation can be a big problem. It can make the soil soft and shift, moving your foundation. To stop this from happening, make sure your property has good drainage. 

A well-planned gutter system that sends water away from your house is necessary. And the ground near your house should slope away from the foundation. Don’t forget to check for leaks in your plumbing system and fix them quickly. They can make the soil unstable, too.

Consideration of soil type

The kind of soil your house is built on can make a big difference. Some soils, like reactive clay soils, can change size based on how wet or dry they are, which can move the ground. If your house is built on this soil, you should get professional advice on what to do. 

You could use deep pile foundations, stabilise the soil, or landscaping to keep the soil moisture levels steady.

Tree planting and management

Large trees near your house can cause subsidence because their roots pull water out of the soil. This can make the soil shrink and move. Think carefully about where you plant trees and how big their roots might get. 

Building design and construction

If you’re building a new home, make sure your team knows their stuff regarding local soil conditions. They can design and build your home to lessen the risk of subsidence. This might mean using certain foundations, construction materials, or building methods.

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What can homeowners do to prevent house subsidence?

Sinking concrete can be caused by various issues, from building defects and issues with the building foundation to rising dampness and soil types. For example, reactive clays create weak soil, which can result in unlevel buildings and the need for subsidence repairs. 

Subsidence issues due to soil depend on resin injection underpinning methods because traditional solutions like slab jacking or steel pile underpinning aren’t sufficient.

How can Raise and Relevel help?

We offer a range of solutions to address home or property subsidence issues. Our resin injection method involves filling holes and voids, strengthening your home’s foundation. 

While resin injection is one of our options, we’ll determine the best approach for your needs, whether it’s mass concrete underpinning or another method. This process includes strategically injecting resin into drilled holes to solidify the ground beneath your home, often resolving wall cracks and door or window issues. If needed, we can also perform wall crack repairs.

The benefits of using Raise + Relevel for your underpinning Melbourne needs

  • At R+R, we are fully licensed and insured.
  • We have a complete team of experienced and qualified engineers and technicians.
  • We provide free consultation to assess your needs and will provide you with a quote.
  • At R+R, we work closely with you throughout the entire underpinning process to ensure we exceed your expectations. 

Book an inspection if you suspect structural damage or subsidence beneath your home. Our team can conduct building inspections, look at house levelling and house foundations, and check for damage to your internal and external walls. 

Some cracking and shifting are natural, but we can determine if there is severe damage to the house and propose the most effective method to fix subsidence and steps for preventing subsidence. Contact our team today and let us know what you need. We’ll be happy to assist your Melbourne home.

Why Raise + Relevel?

Better.

Better quality workmanship for a better price – R+R delivers value to our customers by offering the highest quality services at the most competitve price.

Experience.

Over 100 years of genuine experience in relevelling structures – we are ground surgeons.

Guaranteed.

We stand behind the quality of our products and workmanship. Our warranty provides 100-year warranty on our resin products and 50-year warranty on our workmanship – If the problem returns, we return.

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FAQ

Your home is everything to you and your family, so before going ahead with any subsidence repairs, we’ve put together a list of questions our customers should ask:

We offer advice, not sales, so we don’t employ salespeople. The person who quotes your job does your job, and has been relevelling homes like yours for over 15 years.

Our specialists have raised over 7,000 homes in total.

If the problem returns, we return. We provide a fully guaranteed warranty on materials and workmanship.

At R+R, we have no call centres, no sales people and minimal overheads, all of which enables us to provide the best value for our customers.

R+R will deliver you better value, through real experience, with guaranteed results.

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Homes Relevelled
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Guaranteed

At Raise + Relevel, experience matters. With a century of combined expertise and over 7,000 homes re-levelled, we deliver lasting results—guaranteed.

100% Product Guarantee

Quality materials built to last

50-Year Workmanship Guarantee

Proven expertise you can trust

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Every home is unique. We provide tailored solutions at the best value, ensuring stability without compromise.

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