Warning Signs of Bowing Walls
By admin structural repairs • • • • • 0 Comments

Warning Signs of Bowing Walls: What Should You Look For?

Bowing walls are a serious structural issue that can lead to significant damage to your property if left untreated. It's important to be able to identify the warning signs of bowing walls so that you can take action to prevent further damage.

What is a bowing wall?

A bowing wall is a wall that is leaning away from the building. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Foundation problems: If the foundation of your home is settling unevenly, it can cause the walls to bow.
  • Water damage: Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of your walls and cause them to bow.
  • Poor construction: If your home is not built properly, the walls may be more susceptible to bowing.

Warning signs of bowing walls

There are several warning signs to look out for if you’re concerned that your walls may be bowing. These include:

  • Cracks in the walls: Cracks in the walls are a common sign of bowing. The cracks may be small or large, and they may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
  • Doors and windows that stick: If your doors and windows are sticking, it could be a sign that the walls are bowing.
  • Gaps between the walls and ceiling: If you see gaps between the walls and ceiling, it could be a sign that the walls are bowing.
  • Visible bowing: In some cases, you may be able to see the bowing of the walls with your own eyes.

What to do if you think your walls are bowing:

If you think your walls may be bowing, it is important to act immediately. You should contact a professional structural engineer to assess the damage and recommend a course of action.

A structural engineer will be able to determine the cause of the bowing and recommend the best way to repair it. In some cases, the repair may be as simple as replacing a few bricks or boards. In other cases, it may be necessary to underpin the foundation or replace the entire wall.

If you’d like to talk in further detail about your walls, our team at London Structural Repairs would be happy to chat.

Preventing bowing walls

There are steps you can take to prevent your walls from bowing. These include:

  • Regularly inspect your home for signs of damage
  • Keep your gutters and downspouts clean and clear
  • Make sure your foundation is properly graded to allow water to drain away from your home
  • Consider installing a sump pump to remove water from your basement

By taking these steps, you can help to protect your home from the damaging effects of bowing walls.

subsidence in london
By admin crack repairs • • • • • 0 Comments

Subsidence in London the common causes

Subsidence in London is an extremely common problem that haunts millions of home owners in London. With significant damages to the foundation of the structure as one of its most common consequences, subsidence can be caused by a number of different reasons. 

Interested in learning more about the natural and man-made causes of subsidence? Read on to find out as we tell you some of the most common causes of subsidence and how our professionals at London Structural Repairs can help mitigate the risk associated with it. 

Natural Causes of Subsidence in London

While there are plenty of different natural causes of subsidence that results in damage to houses in London, the most common culprit remains the expansion of cohesive soils. Clay and other cohesive soils are known to expand and shrink based on their moisture content. This affects the structures that are built on them. Since the weather conditions of London vary significantly, it goes without saying that the composition of these cohesive soils can also change drastically, leaving structures damaged. 

Soil decomposition and washing away of soils is another extremely common natural cause of subsidence in London. Even though non-cohesive soils are not prone to shrinkage and expansion like their cohesive counterparts, they are still susceptible to being washed away causing problems to buildings that may be built on them. What’s more, the decomposition of certain natural soils can cause movement of the ground, resulting in significant problems. 

Other Causes of Subsidence in London

In addition to the natural causes mentioned above, other factors can be involved in subsidence in London as well.  Leaky drains are a common culprit, causing the ground to soften considerably resulting in subsidence. If the problem remains undetected or unresolved for long, the ground may even be washed away, resulting in damaged foundations in buildings. 

Construction work in nearby areas and heavy traffic are also to blame for subsidence in London. Since both construction work and dense traffic can cause the ground to move constantly for extended periods of time, it is common for problems like subsidence to occur. 

While subsidence can cause numerous problems including cracked walls and weakened structures, you’ll be glad to know that most damages are reversible. By hiring the services of a professional service like London Structural Repairs, you will not only be able to assess the damage done, but experts in the field will also be able to present you with a variety of solutions that you can choose from. 

Interested in learning more about the available options to repair damages caused by subsidence? Give London Structural Repairs a call at 020 8936 7699 to find out how we can help with your problem.

 

 

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