Residential ground improvement
Challenge
Twenty years of clay shrinkage caused worsening cracks, leaving homeowners seeking a permanent, minimally disruptive alternative to traditional underpinning.
Solution
Geobear stabilised the foundations using specialist geopolymer injections in one day, delivering lasting structural stability with minimal disruption to homeowners.
Progressive movement
Treatment completed
Transferable guarantee
The owners of a Victorian terraced property in South West London had lived with progressive subsidence for almost 20 years. Positioned on a hillside and founded on shrinkable London Clay, the property had developed increasingly severe cracking to the front elevation as seasonal clay shrinkage continued to affect the shallow foundations.
For many years the movement was simply monitored, with cracks periodically measured but no permanent stabilisation undertaken. As the cracking became more pronounced, the homeowners decided to seek a long-term solution that would stop further movement while avoiding the disruption associated with traditional underpinning.
The homeowners considered both conventional underpinning and modern geopolymer injection technology. Geobear's decades of experience, proven track record, ability to provide a Certificate of Structural Adequacy and an insurance-backed guarantee gave them confidence they were investing in a permanent solution.
Site assessments confirmed the movement had been caused by foundation subsidence resulting from clay volume changes associated with nearby vegetation. Drainage investigations also identified defects requiring repair and protection as part of the overall repair strategy.
The property is underlain by the London Clay Formation, one of the UK's most shrinkable foundation soils. Seasonal moisture fluctuations, combined with the influence of nearby vegetation, had caused repeated shrink-swell cycles beneath the shallow foundations, resulting in progressive differential settlement over two decades.
The homeowners wanted to avoid the extensive excavation, prolonged programme, significant cost and potential need to move out that are commonly associated with traditional underpinning. They required a permanent solution capable of stabilising the foundations with minimal impact on everyday life.
The treatment area contained multiple buried utilities, including gas, water, electricity, telecommunications and shared drainage infrastructure. CCTV drainage surveys identified fractured gullies and damaged pipework, requiring careful monitoring and protection throughout the stabilisation works.
client quote
Daniel Morgan
Geobear designed a bespoke foundation stabilisation scheme focused on the affected front elevation.
Working entirely from outside the property, engineers installed a series of strategically positioned injection locations along the front foundations. Specialist geopolymer material was injected to multiple vertical depths beneath the foundations, improving the engineering characteristics of the supporting soils and restoring bearing capacity where clay shrinkage had caused settlement.
Before treatment commenced, CCTV drainage investigations and utility assessments were completed to identify buried services and confirm appropriate protection measures. Shared drainage assets were monitored throughout the injection process, while enabling works ensured the treatment could be delivered safely without excavation.
Following preparation, Geobear's installation team completed the entire stabilisation treatment in a single working day, avoiding the major disruption typically associated with underpinning.
Upon completion, the homeowner received both a Certificate of Structural Adequacy confirming the stabilisation works and a transferable 10-year Residential Guarantee, supported by an insurance-backed guarantee, providing long-term confidence in the completed solution
Geobear successfully stabilised the foundations without excavation, allowing the homeowners to remain in the property throughout the works.
A problem that had progressed over almost 20 years was resolved through a treatment completed in just one day, dramatically reducing disruption compared with traditional underpinning.
The homeowners gained reassurance through independently certified structural adequacy, a transferable 10-year Residential Guarantee and an insurance-backed guarantee, while achieving the long-term foundation stability they had been seeking.
Reflecting on the project, the homeowner praised Geobear's professionalism, efficiency and straightforward delivery, highlighting the speed of installation and the confidence provided by the company's experience, certification and guarantees.
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