There is no doubt about it: subsidence is every property owner’s worst nightmare. After all, it can cause extensive damage unless it is found quickly and can also be quite costly to repair. Here at Rhino Piling, we want to help our readers spot the signs of subsidence before it manages to wreak havoc on the stability of a structure. Read on to find out more…
Wall Characteristics
The easiest way to know for certain that subsidence has started to rear its ugly head is to watch out for the development of severe wall cracks. After all, they occur when the soil begins to shift at a rapid pace and the property buckles under the pressure. An effective way to tell whether or not a wall crack is the result of subsidence is to use a 10 pence coin – if it fits within the gap when flat then you’ve got a problem.
In addition to this, these types of cracks will typically be diagonal and thicker at the top than they are at the bottom, and are usually visible both inside and outside of the house. It is important to remember these characteristics as wall cracks can also be the result of natural shrinkage, however this movement is often minor and doesn’t cause the severe cracks that are indicative of subsidence.
Warping Frames
The movement that occurs with subsidence can present itself in a variety of different ways, and many homeowners will often fail to recognise the changes that occur to their window and door frames. In fact, this is often an early sign that may develop before severe cracking. As a property owner, it can be in your best interest to pay close attention to any changes in the way that your doors and windows open/close as if they start to stick then it could mean that the frames have warped.
When a property owner discovers subsidence, it can ignite a lot of concern regarding the way that the issue will be resolved. After all, the damage can often look a lot worse than it actually is to the untrained eye. By implementing piling methods like underpinning, it is possible to re-stabilise the structure and prevent further movement from occurring. To find out more information, get in contact with the best piling in Manchester and speak to a member of the Rhino Piling team today!
