Cracks, subsidence and ground movement

Cracks, subsidence & ground Boundary and retaining walls: defects and maintenance Masonry boundary and retaining walls should be inspected at least twice a year, ideally in spring and autumn, for cracks, bulging or leaning sections,... 7 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Buying a house with mature trees in the garden: what to check Mature trees add beauty, shade and better air quality, but buyers should check for Tree Preservation Orders, understand that a tree owner can be liabl... 5 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Can ivy, trees and shrubs damage a house? Yes. Ivy can widen cracks in brickwork and mortar, hold moisture against walls and harbour pests. Overhanging trees can contribute to foundation probl... 6 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Concrete cancer: causes, signs and repair Concrete cancer happens when the steel reinforcement inside concrete corrodes and expands, cracking and flaking the surrounding concrete. It is caused... 5 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Cracks around bay windows: causes and when to worry Cracks around bay windows often reflect localised movement or inadequate support to the bay. Hairline cracks in plaster are usually minor thermal move... 5 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Cracks in house walls: when should you worry? Most cracks in a house are cosmetic: shrinkage, thermal movement or long-finished settlement. Investigate stepped cracking in brickwork, cracks wider... 11 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Ground cavities in a Groundsure report: should you worry? Ground cavities are hollow spaces in the ground, caused naturally by weathering, erosion or dissolving rock, or by human activity such as mining and t... 4 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Japanese knotweed: identification, risks and the law Japanese knotweed is an invasive perennial plant that spreads from small fragments of its underground rhizomes. Its rhizomes can grow through cracks i... 7 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Patios and paving: materials, installation and common faults A durable patio depends on the right paving material, a properly excavated and compacted base, and a slight slope away from the house so water drains... 7 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Signs of subsidence in a house: what to look for The main signs of subsidence are new or widening cracks, often diagonal and wider at the top, especially around doors, windows and where an extension... 5 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Sinking block paving: causes of undulations and how to repair Undulations in block paving are dips or sinking points where the paving has dropped below its original level. They are typically caused by substandard... 4 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Sloping floors in older houses: causes, risks and repairs Sloping floors in older houses are not always a sign of serious structural problems. Minor slopes often come from gradual settlement over decades or f... 5 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Soil types, foundations and subsidence risk in the UK Subsidence risk depends mainly on the soil beneath a building and the type of foundation it stands on. Clay soils shrink and swell with moisture, and... 7 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Tree removal in the UK: when do you need permission? Permission is needed before felling or pruning a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order, and the council must be notified before work on trees ov... 7 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Underground drainage systems: types, problems and CCTV surveys An underground drainage system directs water away from buildings, roads and other infrastructure, preventing flooding, soil erosion and foundation dam... 5 min read → Cracks, subsidence & ground Wall tie corrosion: signs, risks and what buyers should know Wall tie corrosion is a serious structural defect if ignored, and routine, well-established work to put right when caught early. The risk group is cav... 10 min read →