There is nothing more troubling for a homeowner than the discovery of subsidence, especially if it is severe. After all, this suggests that the foundations of a property are no long able to support its weight effectively. In layman’s terms, subsidence is ‘the movement of soil or the gradual sinking of land’ which puts pressure on the foundations of a building and causes it to become unstable. Luckily, it can be prevented and rectified with the expertise of a licenced professional. Read on to find out how subsidence is treated…
Underpinning
In serious cases, the most effective way to treat subsidence is through a foundational support known as underpinning. This involves extending the depth of existing foundations or providing a more supportive soil layer so that the weight of a property is spread evenly. With this said, underpinning can be expensive so homeowners should try to rectify subsidence before it becomes severe enough to require foundational intervention.
Remove Trees
Although subsidence is often caused by the movement of weak soil, tree roots can also damage the foundations of a property. After all, they can extend 5m in all directions which means that a tree located within close proximity to a property will suck up all the moisture from the soil that surrounds its foundations. Over time, the soil will begin to shrink and this will lead to subsidence. An easy way to curb subsidence is to have a troublesome tree removed.
Repair Drains/Pipes
All of the drains and pipes within a property are designed in order to transport water deep beneath the ground so that it does not cause any issues. After all, subsidence can also be caused by an active leak because moisture saturated soil will become too soft and weak, allowing the foundations above to move. This is even more problematic when it comes to sandy soil because this can be easily washed away. In order to rectify minor subsidence caused by leaks, it is important to repair any broken drains or pipework.
Here at Rhino Piling, we ensure that every member of our team has the qualifications required to provide the very best underpinning solutions possible. After all, subsidence is no laughing matter which means that both property owners and licenced foundational experts should never treat it as such. To find out more information, get in contact with the best piling Manchester has to offer and speak to a member of the Rhino Piling team today!
