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Subsidence caused by defective drains

Challenge

A terraced home was suffering from subsidence caused by leaking drains. The owners needed to avoid the massive, lengthy disruption of traditional underpinning in a confined space.

Solution

Our specialist team stabilised five linear metres of foundations by injecting engineered geopolymer. The entire non-disruptive process was completed in a single day.

1 day

Time On-Site

>50%

Carbon reduction vs. traditional underpinning

1.34 tonnes

Estimated savings of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e)

Stabilising a Nottingham terraced home in one day

The owners of a terraced property in Nottingham became concerned after noticing cracks appearing in the walls at the rear of their building.
 
An expert site investigation confirmed the property was experiencing subsidence caused by soil erosion from defective drainage.
 
Leaking water was washing away fine soil particles from beneath the foundations, destabilising the ground and causing the home to sink.

Challenge

The residents were faced with the prospect of traditional underpinning, which would have involved extensive and noisy excavation in a confined space. This would have been incredibly disruptive not only for them but also for their neighbours.
 
The key challenge was finding a fast, clean solution that would solve the problem permanently without forcing them to move out and endure a lengthy, messy, and expensive construction project.
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The residents were

Delighted and fascinated by the outcome, having solved a major structural problem with minimal disruption.

Solution

 
After the homeowners arranged for the defective drains to be repaired, the Geobear team arrived to implement our proven, non-disruptive solution.
 
We installed the Geobear ground improvement solution at predetermined depths beneath five linear metres of the strip foundations.
 
The entire on-site process was completed in a single day, allowing the residents to remain in their home throughout.
 

Results

Carbon emissions breakdown
The carbon savings were significant. Traditional underpinning for this project would have generated an estimated 1.34 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂e). By contrast, Geobear’s geopolymer injection method emitted just 0.66 tCO₂e. This was achieved by avoiding excavation, spoil removal, and the use of carbon-intensive concrete and steel.
 

The primary finding was that the Geobear solution provided a substantially faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional underpinning.

 
 
Key customer benefits
 
The homeowners benefited from:
  • Zero excavation or structural risk to their building
  • Work completed in a single shift
  • The ability to remain in their property throughout the process
  • Substantial savings on both cost and carbon emissions
The residents were "delighted and fascinated by the outcome," having solved a major structural problem with minimal disruption.

Comparison to traditional underpinning

Factor Traditional underpinning Geobear solution Benefit
Duration 2-3 weeks 1 day Less disruption for the family and the neighborhood
Disruption High: excavation, dust, noise Minimal: no excavation, quiet Less disruption 
Carbon footprint 1,34 tCO2e 0,66 tCO2e >50% reduction

Concerned about leaking drains and subsidence?

Our one-day solution can improve the ground below your home without the need for excavation.

Get your free quote
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