Get Your Free Subsidence Guide
Download your free printable homeowner’s guide now to get more information on causes of subsidence, what to look for, what to expect during treatment, and how to select your ground improvement contractor.
How Can You Tell if It’s Subsidence?
A little crack in the wall or in the flooring could be nothing to worry about. It could also be a symptom of subsidence or settlement issues in the ground beneath your home. It can be hard to tell the difference if you aren’t familiar with subsidence. Read on to learn more about subsidence and what you can do about it.
Common Signs of Subsidence
How can you tell if it's subsidence or just a normal crack? These are the most common signs of subsidence or settlement damage in residential properties.
Cracks in the Walls
Subsidence cracks are usually wider than 5mm. They are normally more diagonal and wider at the top; appearing suddenly in plaster work inside the building and on stucco or block outside.
Cracks in Driveways or Patios
One of the earliest signs of subsidence is often a crack in your driveway or patio where the area seems unlevel – especially if those cracks increase in width or length over time.
Cracks in Foundations
If you are remodeling or redoing floors, you may notice large cracks, unlevel areas of flooring, and other signs of subsidence in your concrete foundation – pay attention to changes over time.
Shifting or Sinking Floors
Floors can drop when subsidence or settlement has affected your home, you may notice gaps between the floor and the baseboard or changes in your tiles such as uneven tiles or new cracks in your tile.
Separation at Extensions
Many times, if you have an extension or add-on to your property, it will be the first part of your home to be affected. Subsidence cracks are common at points where an extension meets the main buildings.
Sticking Windows or Doors
Shifts due to weak foundation can put additional pressure onto openings like windows and doors, leading to uneven pressure that causes sticking, jams, and even cracking along door or window frames.
Is the Crack Bigger than a Pencil Eraser?
Cracks in the walls are one of the most obvious and common signs of subsidence. Not all cracks, however, are due to subsidence. Fine, hairline cracks are usually nothing to worry about. Subsidence cracks, on the other hand, are usually wider than 5mm - about the width of a #2 pencil. When cracks are caused by subsidence, they will normally be more diagonal and wider at the top. They tend to appear suddenly in plaster work inside the building and on stucco or block outside.
Get Your Free Subsidence Guide
Download your free printable homeowner’s guide now to get more information on causes of subsidence, what to look for, what to expect during treatment, and how to select your ground improvement contractor.
Fixing Subsidence Doesn't Have to Be Hard
OUR EXPERTS DRILL HOLES IN THE AFFECTED AREA
At just 16mm, the holes are smaller than a dime and, in many cases, we don't even need internal access to your home.
WE INJECT A SPECIAL GEOPOLYMER RESIN INTO THE HOLES
We inject a special geopolymer that will expand and harden to support the property – it’s a quick and easy process.
THE RESIN INSTANTLY HARDENS LIKE CONCRETE
Within just 15 minutes the geopolymer has expanded and is 90% cured – filling any voids and stabilizing the ground.
THE PROPERTY IS RAISED AND FOUNDATIONS STABILISED
You'll see the results instantly as cracks can shrink or disappear and doors unstick as the property is gently lifted.
Get Your Free Subsidence Guide
We’ve created this homeowner guide with you in mind. Download your free printable homeowner’s guide now to get more information on subsidence and understand how to spot it and what to do about it. You’ll learn the basics of:
- Common causes of subsidence,
- The most common signs of subsidence in your home,
- What to expect during treatment, and
- What to consider when choosing a subsidence contractor.