Challenge
A leaking underground drain washed away the sandy soil beneath a rowhouse extension, causing severe wall cracks and the structure to pull away from the main house.
Solution
Geobear injected expanding geopolymer to fill the washout voids and re-stabilize the foundation in just 1 day, saving the owner from expensive underpinning.
Total time on site to fix the issue
Cost saving compared to traditional concrete underpinning
Excavation or damage to the landscaped garden
Note: This project was completed by our UK team. We have included it here to demonstrate how our global technology solves common residential subsidence issues relevant to UAE villa owners.
A family rowhome in a residential community had recently undergone a renovation, including an extension to the living area. However, not long after completion, the owners noticed worrying signs of movement. The new extension appeared to be sinking, and a widening gap opened up where the extension met the main house wall.
The settlement was rapid and alarming. Large diagonal cracks appeared on the interior walls, and the tiled floor became uneven.
The root cause: A CCTV drain survey revealed that a drainage pipe running beneath the extension had cracked. Water was leaking into the loose soil, washing the fine particles away and creating a large underground void (a process known as "washout").
The dilemma: The owner was advised that traditional repair would involve digging up their new patio and driveway to install concrete pins—a messy, loud process that would take weeks and cost a fortune.
The owner chose Geobear for a faster, cleaner alternative. Once the damaged drain was repaired by a plumber, Geobear deployed a mobile injection unit to the site.
The process: We drilled small diameter holes through the external paving and internal floor tiles.
The injection: We injected a specialized void-filling geopolymer directly into the washout zone. The material expanded to fill the cavity left by the water leak and compacted the remaining loose sand.
The lift: With the ground stabilized, we continued injecting to gently lift the extension back toward its original level, closing the gap between the buildings.
The entire project was completed in a single day. The structural cracks closed up significantly (requiring only minor cosmetic filling), and the floor was returned to level. The homeowners saved approximately 50% of the cost of traditional underpinning and avoided the heartbreak of digging up their newly landscaped garden.
Water leaks are the #1 cause of villa subsidence in the UAE. We can fix the ground without destroying your garden.
