Residential case study
Challenge
Cracking caused by clay shrinkage raised structural concerns, requiring a fast, low-disruption solution that protected a busy family home.
Solution
Geobear stabilised weakened ground using specialist geopolymer injections, restoring foundation support with minimal disruption and immediate improvements to property performance.
Completed treatment
Locations utilised
Transferable guarantee
The owners of a Victorian family home in North London began noticing cracks appearing internally above bay windows and externally to the front elevation approximately three years after purchasing the property. The home had previously been renovated and was in excellent condition, making the progressive cracking particularly concerning.
With a young family living in the property, the homeowners wanted reassurance that the movement could be addressed safely, quickly and without the significant disruption associated with traditional underpinning.
A surveyor who had previously inspected the property recommended a structural assessment and suggested Geobear as a faster, less invasive alternative to conventional foundation repairs. Site investigations identified clay shrinkage beneath assumed strip foundations as the likely cause of the movement.
The property exhibited internal and external cracking concentrated around the front bay window, consistent with differential foundation movement caused by shrinkable clay soils. The movement had developed over approximately twelve months before assessment.
Traditional underpinning would have required significant excavation around the front of the property, creating considerable disruption for a family living in the home. Maintaining normal occupancy throughout the repair was an important priority.
Drainage infrastructure was located close to the treatment area, requiring CCTV inspection and continuous monitoring during the works to ensure the injections could be completed safely. A pre-treatment survey confirmed that, while some sections of drainage required routine maintenance, there were no defects adjacent to the affected foundations that had contributed to the movement.
Client quote
Al-Karim Makhani
Following the site assessment, Geobear designed a bespoke ground improvement solution to strengthen the clay soils beneath the affected foundations.
The treatment was delivered through multiple strategically positioned injection locations along the front bay elevation. Specialist geopolymer material was injected to several vertical depths beneath the foundations, compacting weakened ground and restoring load-bearing support while avoiding excavation. The proposed treatment targeted multiple depths beneath assumed 1m deep strip foundations using seven carefully positioned injection locations.
To safeguard buried services, the drainage system was surveyed before treatment and monitored throughout the injection process. This ensured the stabilisation works could proceed safely while maintaining the integrity of nearby drainage infrastructure.
The entire stabilisation process was completed in a single day, allowing the homeowners to remain in the property throughout the works.
The treatment rapidly restored stability to the affected foundations with immediate, noticeable improvements.
The homeowner reported that the front door, which had become difficult to close due to movement, operated normally immediately after the treatment, demonstrating that the property had stabilised. The work was completed with minimal preparation, no large excavations and significantly less disruption than traditional underpinning.
The installation was backed by Geobear's transferable 10-year material guarantee, providing long-term confidence in the solution.
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