Magnum Push Piers
Steel push piers down to deep bearing ground, each tested.
Which cracks are a warning sign?
- Stepped cracks in brickwork that follow the joints
- Cracks wider than ± 2 mm
- Cracks that keep growing or change after a summer or winter
- Cracks above windows and doors, or diagonally from a corner
- Together with doors or windows that stick, or floors that start to slope
Which cracks are usually harmless?
Fine hairline cracks in plaster or paint that do not grow often come from shrinkage of the material or from temperature changes. Keep an eye on them for a while.
How do you monitor a crack?
- Fit a crack gauge, or draw a dated pencil line
- Measure, for example, every three months
- Take a photo each time with a ruler next to it
- Note whether the crack widens in summer and closes in winter: that often points to shrinking clay
What is usually behind it?
A foundation that settles unevenly: one side goes down more than the other. Typical causes are drought in clay soil, a leaking sewer, trees close to the house and construction work nearby.
With serious damage, have a structural engineer assess the situation. Soiltek is a specialist contractor: we record, measure, propose a technique and carry out the repair, in consultation with your engineer.