Underpinning Services in High Wycombe
Our Groundwork Contractors' Guide to Subsidence

Subsidence is a serious issue that affects the foundations of a property. When subsidence occurs, it is vital to remedy the situation with professional underpinning services. However, we know that subsidence can be confusing and scary, so we have created this guide to help property owners understand the problem and how to fix it.

If you have any questions about underpinning, restricted access piling, foundation installations, basement conversions or wider groundworks, please call Cornerstone Foundations UK. Our groundwork contractors cover High Wycombe and the surrounding areas as experts in subsidence, pile foundations and all groundworks for domestic and commercial projects.

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What is Subsidence?

When the ground beneath a property moves downwards, the building’s foundations sink. This is known as subsidence. Downwards ground movement typically occurs when soil dries out, or weakens due to excess water, such as when an underground pipe leaks.

The Signs of Subsidence

The following are some telltale signs of subsidence:

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Internal cracks in plasterwork
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External cracks in brickwork
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Doors or windows sticking for no clear reason
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Rippling or peeling wallpaper – there’ll probably be cracks underneath

Cracks caused by subsidence are typically diagonal, wider than 3mm, wider at the top and located close to a window or door.

Fixing Subsidence

If you suspect subsidence at your High Wycombe property, you should contact a surveyor or your home insurance provider. The sooner subsidence is diagnosed, the easier it is to fix. A surveyor will inspect the building and may decide that the problem needs monitoring to determine if subsidence is the cause.

If subsidence is found to be the issue, it will need rectifying by professionals, such as the groundwork contractors at Cornerstone Foundations UK. In severe cases, we provide underpinning services, such as restricted access piling or mass concrete foundation installation, to strengthen foundations and prevent further movement. This is the most invasive method but is not always necessary.

Depending on the cause and extent, subsidence treatments include:

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Tree Removal
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Tree Root Control
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Drainage Repairs
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Underpinning

Preventing Subsidence

Around 70% of subsidence cases are the result of tree roots drawing moisture from the soil. Consequently, you can minimise the risk of subsidence by keeping trees a safe distance from your property and not planting any new trees within 10m of the building.

You can also help prevent subsidence by making sure water drains away from your property. Keeping guttering clear, using water butts and maintaining plumbing and drainage systems helps stop waterlogging of the ground around your building.

Furthermore, when undertaking building work like basement conversions, basement rebuilds or house extensions, it’s vital to follow regulations, otherwise subsidence can occur.

Call Our Groundworks Company for Underpinning and Groundworks

Our groundwork contractors are experts in subsidence, providing quality underpinning services in High Wycombe and all the surrounding areas. We also offer an extensive range of foundation installation and groundwork services to meet all project requirements, from strip foundations to full enabling works.

Contact our groundworks company for:

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Subsidence Treatment
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Restricted Access Piling
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Underpinning
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Basement Conversions
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Basement Rebuilds
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Strip Foundations
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Trench-Fill Foundations
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Pile Foundations
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All Other Foundations

Cornerstone Foundations UK - Experts in Subsidence

Call our groundwork contractors on 07436 364091 (Michael), 07887 836811 (Paul) or 0118 2030889 (Office) for underpinning services in High Wycombe.

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Underpinning Services in High WycombeOur Groundwork Contractors' Guide to Subsidence

What is Subsidence?

The Signs of Subsidence

Internal cracks in plasterwork

External cracks in brickwork

Doors or windows sticking for no clear reason

Rippling or peeling wallpaper – there’ll probably be cracks underneath

Fixing Subsidence

Tree Removal

Tree Root Control

Drainage Repairs

Underpinning

Preventing Subsidence

Call Our Groundworks Company for Underpinning and Groundworks

Subsidence Treatment

Restricted Access Piling

Underpinning

Basement Conversions

Basement Rebuilds

Strip Foundations

Trench-Fill Foundations

Pile Foundations

All Other Foundations

Underpinning Services in High Wycombe
Our Groundwork Contractors' Guide to Subsidence