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...
Piling is a highly specialist field, and it's easy for a customer to feel overwhelmed when faced with the choice of companies. Is there really any way of to decide other than to pick the top result on Google? Fortunately there is, but you have...
Piling isn't a new technique for foundations, but it's traditionally been used for large buildings where they support an unusually heavy load. Since the 1980s, though, the construction industry has come use it for everything from domestic conservatories to off-shore wind farms. Learn more on...