Why is My Extension Sinking & What Can I Do About it? The Geopolymer Resin Injection Method

Your extension is a valuable part of your home. It’s also structurally linked, often being keyed into the original brickwork of your original property. Regardless of what you’re using your extension for, whether it be a sunroom, a kitchen or additional reception room, its overall purpose is to provide any homeowner with additional space, comfort and, more importantly, resale value. 

But if you’ve noticed cracks in the walls, sloping floors or if the doors and windows to your extension are failing to open and close, then there could be some serious structural issues at play, such as subsidence. If the issue is left untreated, then the problem will get worse. In the most severe cases, your extension could come away completely from the rest of the house. It may then begin to collapse. Therefore, you need to make sure the problem is resolved as soon as possible. 

That’s where Geobear comes in. We have a professional team of experts who are fully trained and qualified to identify instances of subsidence. We will then advise you on what to do next. The solution is underpinning using the geopolymer resin injection method. But what is it and how does it work? In this article, we’ll be explaining why your extension is starting to sink and what our geopolymer resin injection underpinning solution involves. Let’s take a closer look:

How can I tell if my extension is sinking?

There are multiple signs that will indicate a sinking extension. Aside from its obvious leaning to one side, here are some other signs to look out for. They may indicate your extension is succumbing to subsidence:

• Cracks in walls, floors and ceilings that appear near doors and windows, are larger than 3mm wide and run in a zig-zag pattern
• Doors and windows are jamming shut
• Doors and windows that will not close
• Uneven or sloping floors 
• The extension is coming away from the rest of the house
• Foundations have been newly exposed

Why is my extension sinking?

Your extension is sinking as a result of ground movement beneath the structure. Usually, this is a result of unstable soil. This means its ability to support the weight of the building is compromised, causing the extension to drop downwards. There are multiple reasons as to why your extension is sinking, including:

• Poor soil conditions – clay soil can expand and contract as the weather changes, but then loose or sandy soils can be washed away by the rain. In addition, the fill material underneath the extension may not have been compacted properly when it was constructed
• Water problems – leaking pipes, poor drainage, rising groundwater and even tree roots can cause the soil to expand and contract rapidly and more severely when compared to more natural soil-affecting factors
• Poor foundations – extensions built on shallow or unstable foundations will likely succumb to subsidence. In addition, it could also be down to the age of the foundations, with particularly old foundations suffering wear
• Vibration or load stress – any considerable changes to the load, such as the construction of a heavy kitchen with granite worktops, could cause the extension to sink. In addition, if you live next to a busy A road or motorway, then vibration from heavy traffic could affect the stability of the ground

My extension is sinking: what can I do about it? The Geopolymer resin injection underpinning solution from Geobear

If your extension is affected by subsidence, then look to the team here at Geobear. Not only can we carry out a detailed subsidence survey, complete with a report of our findings and our advice to rectify the problem, but we can also offer you the perfect solution – the geopolymer resin injection underpinning method. 

Our geopolymer resin injection underpinning solution is non-invasive.  It rectifies issues of subsidence, regardless of the severity of the problem at hand. No matter the size or shape of the extension you have, our geopolymer resin injection underpinning method will make short work of restabilising the ground and restoring strength to the foundations it sits on. It involves injecting the affected ground with a geopolymer resin. 

This resin will push its way along the gaps and voids under the foundations, expanding and hardening as it goes. It also compacts the soil even further to enable the ground to support the structure once again. It restores your extension to its original condition. Not only this, but it also prevents instances of subsidence from occurring again for decades to come. If your extension is sinking, then look to Geobear for help.

What are the benefits of the geopolymer resin injection method?

As an innovative subsidence solution, our geopolymer resin injection underpinning method has a wealth of benefits to offer. These are advantageous to our clients, and we’ve listed just a few of those advantages below:

• Work is completed quickly and efficiently – most underpinning jobs can be completed within just a few days with the resin injection geopolymer method, depending on the size and severity of the case
• It’s non-invasive and mess-free – by injecting the ground with resin, there’s no need to excavate the ground to gain access to the foundations. This leaves your outside space looking untouched 
• Precision is second-to-none – it’s a precise and meticulous subsidence solution that gets right to the heart of the problem
• Long-lasting, durable results – the resin cures quickly and is highly effective within just a few days. In addition, its results last for generations to come, providing a subsidence solution that offers nothing but longevity
• It’s cost-effective – as a long-lasting solution, you won’t have to keep paying for underpinning work to be done in the event that it fails. Having underpinning work done sooner rather than later also saves money
• The solution is non-disruptive – there’s absolutely no need for you to vacate your home when the resin injection underpinning method is being implemented

Geobear offers professional underpinning services across the country, delivering fast and effective solutions for properties impacted by subsidence. Our advanced resin injection technology restores structural integrity with minimal mess or disruption – offering a cleaner alternative to traditional underpinning methods. To learn more about our subsidence solutions or to arrange a survey with one of our experienced specialists, feel free to get in touch. We’re here to help.