Foundations

1. Structural Cracks

• Vertical, horizontal or diagonal cracks in walls and floors
• Indicates movement, stress or differential settlement
• Stair-step cracks in brickwork are a classic warning

2. Settlement & Subsidence

• Parts of the building sink unevenly
• Sloping floors and sticking doors or windows
• Often caused by tree roots, drought or leaking drains

3. Heave

• Ground pushing upward against the foundation
• Common with clay soils that expand when wet
• Causes lifting and cracking around the perimeter

4. Water Damage

• Poor drainage weakens soil beneath footings
• Saturated ground loses load-bearing capacity
• Long-term exposure rots timber elements and corrodes rebar

minor Repairs

• Fill small cracks with resin or epoxy injection
• Re-grade ground around the perimeter to shed water
• Clear and repair leaking drains near the footings

moderate Repairs

• Reinforce larger cracks with stitching bars
• Lift sunken slabs with foam injection or mudjacking
• Install or upgrade French drains and downpipe runs

major Repairs

• Mass concrete underpinning to extend foundation depth
• Mini-piled underpinning for unstable or deep ground
• Beam-and-base systems where access is restricted

When Replacement Is Needed

• Building a new home, extension or outbuilding
• After severe subsidence has been confirmed
• When foundation failure spans large areas

Installation Steps

1. 1

   Site Preparation

   • Clear vegetation and topsoil
   • Level the ground to design level
2. 2

   Excavation

   • Dig to the depth required by the soil report
   • Shore trench sides for safety
3. 3

   Soil Testing

   • Confirm bearing capacity
   • Check for contamination and water table
4. 4

   Pouring

   • Lay concrete footings
   • Build foundation walls or slab
5. 5

   Waterproofing

   • Apply DPM and tanking
   • Detail around penetrations
6. 6

   Curing

   • Allow concrete to reach design strength
   • Protect from frost and rapid drying