Residential case study
Challenge
Subsidence caused by clay shrinkage led to cracking around a residential bay window, requiring a fast, non-invasive foundation stabilisation solution.
Solution
Geobear stabilised the foundations using specialist geopolymer injections, reducing disruption, closing cracks, and completing treatment within a day.
On Site
Guarantee
Solution
A homeowner in Sheffield noticed progressive cracking around the front bay window of their Victorian property. Internal plaster cracks and external brickwork movement had developed over several years due to seasonal shrinkage and expansion of the underlying clay soils.
With a background in construction, the homeowner wanted a permanent solution that avoided the disruption, excavation and cost associated with traditional underpinning. Having researched resin injection methods and compared alternative providers, Geobear was selected for its competitive proposal, 10-year guarantee and minimally invasive approach.
The movement was isolated to the front bay window foundations, where clay shrinkage had caused differential settlement and visible cracking both internally and externally. The homeowner wanted the foundations stabilised while avoiding major excavation and preserving the existing property and surrounding block paving wherever possible.
Access also required careful planning due to the property's basement and suspended floor, allowing monitoring throughout the treatment to ensure controlled foundation movement. Site investigations confirmed strip foundations approximately 0.95m deep founded on clay soils.
client quote
Simon Bethell
Geobear designed a bespoke foundation stabilisation scheme using its specialist geopolymer injection technology.
Following preparation by the homeowner, including temporary removal of the block paving, the Geobear team completed the treatment in a single morning. Multiple injection locations were installed around the affected bay window, with specialist geopolymer injected to multiple vertical depths beneath the foundations to densify the clay subsoils and restore support. The treatment was continuously monitored from within the basement and crawl space to ensure precise, controlled lifting of the foundations throughout the process.
The entire installation was completed with minimal disruption, requiring no large-scale excavation or lengthy construction programme. The treatment methodology and site-specific planning were developed to suit the property's foundation arrangement and access constraints.
The treatment successfully stabilised the bay window foundations and achieved the level of movement the homeowner had hoped for. Internal plaster cracks and external brickwork cracks visibly closed, providing reassurance that the property had been stabilised without the need for traditional underpinning.
The homeowner praised the efficiency of the installation team, the clear communication throughout the project and the cleanliness of the works, noting that the entire process—from initial enquiry through to completion and final payment—was handled professionally.
The installation was completed in approximately four hours and is supported by Geobear's transferable 10-year guarantee.
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