A house is a precious possession both from a financial and emotional perspective. But as years pass by, issues such as wall cracks may develop. While minor issues can be easily sorted, house subsidence can be a severe issue that should be addressed immediately.

At Raise + Relevel, we specialise in diagnosing and fixing subsidence issues with techniques like resin injections, slab jacking, and concrete underpinning. Our goal is to ensure your home remains safe and structurally sound, offering you peace of mind and long-term stability.

What is subsidence?

Subsidence is the sudden or gradual sinking of the ground beneath the foundation of your house. Some causes are man-made, whilst natural factors also cause or contribute to subsidence.

Structures built upon previously mined land are also susceptible to subsidence. Tunnelling projects beneath properties can also contribute to or cause subsidence.

Nearby Construction work

Excavations can cause harmful vibration levels and changes in the water content of the ground that can damage nearby structures and cause subsidence.

Indication of a Subsiding House

There are certain signs to look for with subsidence if you want to save yourself from expensive repairs down the line. These include:

Cracks in walls: These cracks in walls will often appear around your doors or windows and can easily expand over time if they aren’t taken care of. Unlike superficial cracks, subsidence-related cracks are usually wider at the top than at the bottom and can run diagonally across the wall. If you notice cracks exceeding 3mm in width, it’s a clear sign that your foundation might be impacted.

Jamming of windows and doors: This happens because the foundations subsiding cause shifts in the structure, leading to misalignment. Jammed doors and windows should not be ignored, as they signify underlying structural issues that need urgent attention.

Uneven or unlevel floors: Sinking floors can be a result of the ground beneath your home shifting or settling unevenly. This not only affects the aesthetics of your house but also poses safety risks. Uneven or unlevel floors can lead to tripping hazards and further structural complications if not addressed promptly.

Other signs of subsidence can include water leaks, movement on the side of the house (such as tree roots drawing moisture unevenly from the soil), and gaps and separation caused by the ground underneath being unable to support the weight of the structure.

Addressing these issues is essential, and you need to act fast to prevent further structural damage.

1. The first course of action is to get a professional structural assessment from a certified ground engineer. They will evaluate the extent of the problem and identify whether your foundations are subsiding due to issues like tree roots, reactive clay, or poor soil quality.
2. Look for common signs such as cracked walls, jammed doors or windows, sinking floors, and uneven floors. These indicators can help pinpoint the areas most affected by subsidence.
3. Determine the cause so you can choose the right solution. It could be due to tree roots, leaking drains, poor foundations, or even mining subsidence. Knowing the root cause helps tailor the most effective repair strategy.
4. Depending on the severity and cause, different repair methods may be needed. For minor issues, void filling or resin injections might suffice. More severe cases may require traditional underpinning or polyurethane resin injection ground improvement.

If you see any sign of subsidence in your house, don’t hesitate to contact our Raise and Relevel team. We specialise in subsidence repair and house relevelling and can provide the right advice and services to ensure minimal disruption during the repairs process. Then, once the repairs are made, we can also help you consider long-term solutions. This could include improving drainage, removing problematic tree roots and reinforcing the load-bearing elements to handle the soil conditions.

Why choose R+R for subsidence services?

When it comes to addressing house subsidence, Raise + Relevel stands out as the go-to choice for property owners.

• We’re experienced! Our team includes highly skilled professionals who understand the complexities of subsidence.
• Advanced techniques. We use state-of-the-art methods, such as resin injections, which offer a fast and minimally invasive solution.
• Comprehensive solutions. Whether it’s public buildings, residential homes, or driveway relevelling, we offer solutions to meet the unique needs of each project.
• Regulatory compliance. All our services follow the relevant regulatory framework, so your home will remain compliant with local building codes.
• Clients come first. From the initial structural assessment to the final touches, we keep you informed every step of the way.
• Transparency. Our transparent communication ensures you understand the course of action and the expected subsidence repair cost.