Residential ground improvement
Challenge
Sudden clay shrinkage caused significant cracking beneath a bay window, requiring rapid foundation stabilisation without excavation or household disruption.
Solution
Geobear strengthened the ground using specialist geopolymer injections, delivering fast, non-invasive stabilisation completed externally with minimal disruption to the homeowner.
Repaired
Installation
No internal needs
A homeowner in South London became concerned after a large crack suddenly appeared beneath the bay window in the front sitting room. The property had experienced historic subsidence more than a decade earlier, but the new movement appeared rapidly and prompted immediate investigation.
Following an assessment by a structural engineer, the movement was attributed to shrinkage of the underlying London Clay, exacerbated by nearby vegetation and prolonged dry weather. A structural survey recommended ground improvement as a less disruptive alternative to traditional underpinning, with trial pits confirming suitable conditions for treatment after no significant tree roots were found beneath the affected foundations.
The homeowner required a permanent solution that could be delivered quickly while avoiding the extensive excavation, noise and disruption commonly associated with conventional underpinning.
The project also required careful coordination around existing buried services, external paving and drainage. CCTV investigations identified drainage defects that required repair before stabilisation works could proceed safely, ensuring the treatment could be completed without affecting existing infrastructure.
client quote
Barbara Richardson
Geobear designed a bespoke geopolymer ground improvement solution focused on the affected bay window foundations.
Working entirely from outside the property, engineers completed all injections through discreet access points within the front garden, meaning there was no disturbance inside the home. The treatment strengthened weak ground beneath the foundations at multiple vertical depths using specialist geopolymer material, providing improved support against future clay shrink-swell movement.
Prior to installation, the homeowner removed sections of decorative brickwork and exposed key underground services to allow safe access. Drain monitoring and service protection formed part of the delivery process, ensuring neighbouring infrastructure remained protected throughout the works. The treatment itself was completed within a single day using ten carefully positioned injection locations.
The project was arranged within weeks of the initial consultation and delivered with minimal disruption to the homeowner or neighbouring properties.
Because all works were completed externally, daily life inside the property continued uninterrupted throughout the installation. The speed of delivery, non-invasive approach and professional communication provided reassurance during what had initially been a worrying structural issue.
Following completion, the homeowner was impressed by both the efficiency of the process and the innovative technology used, later recommending Geobear to neighbours experiencing similar subsidence problems.
Every home is unique. Our experts are ready to listen and provide answers tailored to your specific property and concerns.
