Century old homes in South London with cracks in the walls?
The phrase “cracks in walls” often evokes a sense of unease, conjuring up images of structural instability and potential danger. In the context of East London, this concern is not unfounded. Several districts in the area are particularly susceptible to subsidence, a phenomenon that occurs when the ground beneath a building loses support, causing it to sink or settle. Cracks are a popular signs of subsidence in century homes built on London Clay rich ground.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote, call 0333 1300592 or fill out an enquiry form right here.
What Are the Signs of Subsidence?
Battersea Power Station: A notable industrial structure, it was once a coal-fired power station and is known for its four chimneys. It ceased generating electricity in 1983 and is now being redeveloped into a residential and commercial complex.
The Shard: Standing as the tallest building in the UK, The Shard was completed in 2012. This popular tourist hotspot offers panoramic views of the city. It is a testament to modern engineering and design and is 12 years old in 2024
Greenwich Royal Observatory: The site of the Prime Meridian line, it is where East meets West at Longitude 0°. The observatory played a significant role in the history of astronomy and navigation.
Subsidence Susceptible Postcodes in London
Do you own a property in any of the following postcodes SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20, SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, SE5, SE6, SE7, SE8, SE9, SE10, SE11, SE12, SE13, SE14, SE15, SE16, SE17, SE18, SE19, SE20, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25, SE26, SE27, SE28, TW1, TW2, TW3, TW4, TW5, TW6, TW7, TW8, TW9, TW10?
Our company provides you with over 30 years of previous experience in the construction industry, including subsidence and structural repairs involved with traditional underpinning. Today, you can enjoy subsidence relief without the internal mess and structural underpinning – with a specific chemical composition of resin which hardens in minutes and performs as strongly as concrete.
Structural repairs with super strength resin injections directly into the soil of your property foundation
Our engineers probably won’t need to enter your property, as the area that needs treating is outside around the perimeter of your home. Our resin injection subsidence repair is much more affordable than traditional methods, you can even calculate the rough cost in our subsidence cost calculator to see for yourself.
However, selling your property does mean you’ll need to pass a building inspection. Subsidence issues can drop a property value by around 20%, and structural engineering underpinning is messy, expensive and takes weeks to implement effectively. The alternative is with resin treatment that sets like concrete in minutes.
Your investment property could be at risk of subsidence. Homes in this area are particularly prone to the effects of subsidence such as cracked walls and sinking floors, many homeowners have reported that their basements are sinking. Protect your property and get in touch. We offer free evaluation and quotes and can determine if your building needs to be rescued.
Call us on 0333 1300592 or fill out our enquiry form and we’ll get back to you promptly.
Landlords and Housing Associations Subsidence Repair
We understand there are huge pressures on landlords and housing associations to improve the standards of their existing stock, respond to new legislation, (such as the Social Housing Act), and meet the Government carbon reduction challenges. These are all adding to the cost pressures on housing association business plans.
We can help by fixing subsidence problems for half the cost of traditional underpinning, doing this with little or no excavation work and without using concrete, and normally work is carried out in a day, which critically significantly reduces your regeneration carbon profile.
We believe that our innovative chemical solution of resin injection in place of underpinning can deal with subsidence issues more cost-effectively, speed up the turnaround time of the work being carried out and could be an important factor in your decisions on where you continue to invest in your stock.
With Homes England funding programme now accepting bids for regeneration projects, now could be the perfect time to deal with properties that have subsidence so that they can be returned to your portfolios.
We are keen to work with landlords and housing associations to ‘save one property at a time’, so we’d be delighted to introduce our solution and offer you ideas for meeting your investment budgets.
Cracks in walls, Sinking floors, Gaps in Skirting Boards? Signs of Subsidence
Recognising the signs of subsidence is the first step to addressing the problem. Some common signs to watch out for include:
Wall cracks around windows or next to doors are usually diagonal and appear suddenly, both inside and outside the building. If doors or windows stick or fail to open and close properly, it could be due to the building moving from its original foundations.
The cracks and problems caused by subsidence are wider at the top and generally wider than a ten pence piece. A sinking floor has visual gaps, cracks, or uneven surfaces around the skirting boards of the floor.
Extensions moving away from the property
Subsidence cracks are common at points where an extension meets the main buildings, indicating that the extension is pulling away from the main structure.
Trees close to buildings: these can undermine buildings and structures causing subsidence. This happens also in areas where trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders, which restrict trees from being removed
Factors Causing Subsidence Typical of South London Postcodes
The susceptibility of South London to subsidence can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:
Soil Composition: The soil in South London is predominantly composed of alluvial deposits, which are loose and easily disturbed. Certain types of soil, such as London Clay and Thames silt, can shrink and expand with varying weather conditions. This makes them susceptible to compaction and settlement, particularly when subjected to heavy loads or fluctuating water levels.
Location in relation to the Thames: The River Thames, which flows through the UK’s capital city London, plays a significant role in subsidence issues. Fluctuating water levels can cause erosion and destabilisation of riverbanks, potentially affecting nearby buildings.
The microclimate of South London is characterised by high humidity and frequent rainfall. These conditions can exacerbate the effects of soil compaction, leading to increased subsidence. Ah, the great British weather over the decades, gradually affects the foundations of a property. The UK’s unpredictable weather patterns, with alternating periods of heavy rainfall and drought, can also contribute to subsidence. Droughts can cause the ground to shrink and crack, while excessive rainfall can lead to soil erosion and weakening of foundations.
Leaking drains: These can wash away or erode the soil beneath a property, destabilising its foundation. Tree roots can be related as they can absorb water from the soil, causing it to dry out and shrink, thereby leading to internal shifts in flooring, walls, concrete basement floors and gaps in skirting boards.
Resin Injection As A Solution to Subsidence
We use resin injection to treat subsidence without the need for excavation. Our approach involves injecting an expansive material beneath your properties. This material is pumped into the soil as a liquid and expands under the ground, filling the voids in the soil, forcing out any water, and compacting the soil. This results in a stable base under your property’s foundations or floor.
We carefully monitor this process using laser monitors, which can pick up as little as 0.25mm of movement above the injection point. We continue injecting the material until the floor or foundation is lifted to the required level. This method is not only faster but also cleaner than traditional methods of addressing subsidence.
UK Postcode Subsidence Hotspots
If you think your area may be a hotspot for subsidence or you’ve seen any signs of cracking, sinking floors or any other symptom, please get in touch. We have a comprehensive list of Subsidence hotspots across the UK including those in East London, South London and City, North London, plus those within the Midlands, a well know high risk area.
CEO of Subsidence Ltd