Historic building ground improvement
Challenge
Cracking caused by differential foundation movement threatened a historic home's stability, leaving the homeowner facing uncertainty, disruption and costly repairs.
Solution
Geobear delivered targeted ground improvement beneath affected foundations, providing a fast, minimally disruptive solution that stabilised movement and restored confidence.
On Site
Guarantee
Stabilised
A homeowner in Brighouse became concerned after noticing cracking to an external wall and corresponding internal plaster cracking within a historic stone-built property. Initial inspections revealed that the cracking was concentrated around a rear section of the house where foundation construction differed from the original building.
Independent investigations found that the original house was built over a cellar, while part of the rear extension sat on shallower foundations. This change in foundation levels had resulted in differential settlement where the two foundation types met, leading to progressive structural movement. Further investigations identified loose granular ground beneath the affected foundations, with engineers recommending either traditional underpinning or a specialist ground improvement solution.
The homeowner faced significant uncertainty throughout the investigation process. Initial insurance enquiries concluded the damage was not classed as insured subsidence, resulting in delays before an appropriate solution could be pursued.
Traditional underpinning was expected to involve extensive excavation, disruption to the kitchen and external paving, and potentially months of intrusive construction work. Having recently experienced a personal bereavement, the prospect of major building works added considerable stress.
The project also required careful planning due to:
client quote
Lynne Swarbrick
Following a detailed site assessment and review of the investigation reports, Geobear designed a bespoke ground improvement solution targeting the affected rear corner of the property where differential settlement had occurred.
The treatment involved injecting a specialist geopolymer material beneath the foundations from external access points to improve the bearing capacity of the underlying ground. The solution was designed to stabilise the affected area while avoiding the extensive excavation associated with conventional underpinning.
To ensure the works were completed safely and effectively:
The installation was completed in approximately half a working shift, with minimal disruption to the homeowner.
The Geobear solution successfully stabilised the foundations beneath the affected section of the property without the need for major excavation or structural demolition.
The homeowner particularly valued the professionalism of the Geobear team throughout the project. Clear communication, thorough investigations and regular updates during the installation helped provide reassurance at every stage.
The completed works are supported by Geobear's transferable 10-year guarantee, providing long-term confidence for both the current homeowner and any future purchasers.
Every home is unique. Our experts are ready to listen and provide answers tailored to your specific property and concerns.
