How Do I Know If My House is sinking?

House underpinning, Concrete sinking, Concrete levelling, Driveway repair, Concrete Driveway repair, sinking concrete

Every homeowner who takes pride in their home ensures that its foundation is solid and sturdy. However, sometimes home foundations can face several issues.

Homes are susceptible to subsidence.


The movement of the ground below your home can lead to concrete sinking. This is called subsidence, and if it is ignored, it can lead to severe problems. Sinkholes can occur if the soil below your home comprises rocks made of carbonate, limestone, or stones easily dissolvable by groundwater. Sinkholes are caverns formed underground and are known to destroy roads, homes, and large tracts of cultivated land.


Signs that indicate the possibility of your house sinking


Cracks to Concrete or Brickwork: If you notice cracks in the external brickwork of your home or in the walls of your basement that run horizontally, then you are in for trouble. Serious cracks are generally more than 15mm or so, and those to the brickwork are stair-stepped cracks that go upwards and downwards.

Gaps around exterior doors or frames of windows: Crooked door frames, doors that do not latch, breaches around exterior doors, or window frames are some examples that indicate a foundation issue.


Uneven or unlevelled floors: Floors that seem to sag or no longer look leveled are a sign of foundation trouble. The unevenness maybe about half an inch in the beginning. But if it is not investigated, it can develop to one and a half to two inches.


Dampness in crawl space: If there is dampness in the crawl space area, it is a sign that your foundation is affected by a problem. Excess moisture in the area attracts termites and can cause rotting of the wooden beams below the house. A musty odor begins to emanate from the site.


Tilting or separation of cabinets and counters from their wall attachment: If there is a noticeable movement of cabinets and counters away from their wall attachment, this indicates a severe problem with your house foundation.

We need to call in the experts.



If any of the above signs are observed in your home, it is better to call in the ground experts. They will determine the underpinning approach to tackle issues of subsidence or sinking concrete.

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