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Subsidence Repairs
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Subsidence repairs, house re-levelling & underpinning in Australia

Sticking doors, diagonal cracks or gaps opening near an extension can all point to ground movement. Describe what you have found and a specialist will investigate the cause and set out the appropriate repair.

Evidence-led advice from vetted Australia specialists, starting with a free quote.

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  • 77 Australia towns covered
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Our subsidence services

Effective subsidence work follows a clear order: investigate to identify what is actually causing the movement, monitor where the picture needs more time to become clear, then apply the right remedy, whether that is a drain repair, tree management, resin injection or, where the ground genuinely requires it, underpinning.

    Diagnosis before repair work begins

    Subsidence can feel alarming, but the cause is almost always traceable and the repair is frequently less involved than homeowners anticipate. Cracking put down to subsidence often turns out to be a leaking drain, thermal movement or a tree drawing moisture from clay soil, none of which need underpinning. A local specialist examines what is actually happening beneath the building and recommends work scaled to what the evidence shows.

    Signs that subsidence may be present

    Cracks left unexamined tend to cost more to fix later. If you notice any of the following, get them assessed before the situation develops further.

    1. Diagonal cracks wider than 3mm, particularly near door or window openings

    2. Cracks that taper along their length rather than running at a consistent width

    3. Doors or windows that have recently begun to stick or have visibly dropped out of alignment

    4. Matching cracks on both the internal and external face of the same wall

    5. Gaps forming where an extension meets the original structure, or wallpaper lifting without an obvious cause

    6. Cracking that appears or widens during or after a hot, dry summer, especially near established trees

    What causes subsidence in Australia?

    Soil conditions differ considerably across Australia, and the triggers for ground movement vary from one region to another. The causes most commonly identified by specialists include:

    • Clay soils shrinking during dry periods, particularly where tree roots are drawing out moisture
    • Drains running beneath the property that are leaking and gradually softening or eroding the soil around the foundations
    • Roots from nearby trees drawing moisture out of clay beneath or alongside the building footprint
    • Made ground or poorly compacted fill material continuing to settle beneath the structure
    • Historic mine workings causing voids or ground movement below residential areas

    What a specialist looks for against each symptom

    Towns covered across Australia

    Select your town below to see subsidence information for that part of Australia. A specialist is available to help with subsidence work throughout the country.