The walls of your house keep the building up and the weather out. If they’re not secure, they may be failing to do one or both of these jobs, and they need to be repaired. Methods of repairing will depend to some extent on what type...
Many people will tell you, usually on the basis of inexpert knowledge, not to buy a house if there’s any sign of building subsidence, even past subsidence that’s been fully repaired. While subsidence is a serious matter, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should give up...
Cracks in buildings are most often the result of movement, whether that’s caused by subsidence, failed materials or disturbance, and failure to deal with the problem may lead to the building’s collapse. Fortunately, though, building maintenance helps to know how to repair the damage. There...
Compared with many other countries, very few UK homes have basements. This is beginning to change, though, as homeowners looking for extension options are realising that extending your home down has both practical and financial advantages. A basement can be used for anything from an entertainment...
Structural damage to your property can seem like a major disaster, but sometimes it’s easier to fix than you might expect. If substantial work is needed, it may be covered by your insurance, and the building foundation will be left strong and sound. Building Foundation Subsidence The most...
Do you need more living space, but find the cost of moving prohibitive? If you have a cellar that’s only being used to store rubbish instead of get rid of it, there may be potential to use that space for an extra bedroom, a leisure...
Perhaps you’re considering having you house, or some other building, underpinned, and wondering how much it will underpinning cost. The only simple answer, of course, is that it depends — which is why underpinning firms never give a price list on their websites. There are...
If you find cracks in your walls, door or window frames coming away from the brickwork, or the building visibly leaning to one side, it could be signs of subsidence. Causes can vary from tree roots too near the house to old mineworkings below, but...
The usual reason for needing underpinning a house is subsidence, but the signs aren’t normally as obvious as huge holes appearing in the ground. The evidence for subsidence requires more attention to spot. What Is Subsidence? There are many reasons for subsidence, but essentially it’s when the...
When a new building is constructed, if the builder and architect know what they're doing, the foundations will be secure enough to support the structure. With some older buildings, though, either the original foundations were inadequate or, more often, the ground itself has changed in...