subsidence in london

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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building repair

Building Repair Expert? Why Is It Important to Hire a Professional

Building Repair Experts

Whether you own a residential building or an office space, Building Repair and maintenance  are imperative for all types of buildings, especially, if you are really interested in keeping them looking at their best for years to come.

Without building repair services, even the smallest of problems can quickly escalate and get out of hand, forcing you to spend a fortune on repairs and renovation. You could’ve easily avoided these had you considered timely maintenance at the right time.

As unfortunate as it sounds, the vast majority of people refuse to take building repair and maintenance services into account, causing the building to deteriorate sooner than it should. In this post, however, we will convince you about the benefits that a professional building repairs service really offers, and all of the reasons why you should consider hiring one for your buildings in London.

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Optimized Resource Allocation

The number one reason why people do not hire building repair services is because they believe that it is a waste of money, and that the tasks can easily be taken on by their employees. Unfortunately, this is a very narrow-minded approach, and essentially trivializes the time and effort that building maintenance professionals spend on the tasks that are assigned to them.

As professionals of the field, building maintenance experts do not only know how to inspect each aspect of the building, but they also know how to allocate resources efficiently and effectively, ensuring optimization.

Timely Repairs

As mentioned above, it doesn’t take long for even the minutest of repairs to be aggravated, resulting in damages that will not only cost a fortune, but also cause plenty of downtime. However, when a professional building repair services is hired, this very problem can be avoided in its entirety, leaving you with a building or property that’s always up to the mark.

With professionals of a building repair service paying regular visits to you building time and again, it goes without saying that all problems and areas that need repair will be noticed in a timely manner, preventing them from getting worse.

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Seamless Experience

Needless to say, when a professional  is hired for your residential properties or office spaces in London, you are not only bound to get a seamless experience, but all problems will also be dealt with in a highly professional manner. Additionally, if repairs are to be made to the building, they will be taken care of in such a way that it looks good as new.

Convinced of the benefits of hiring a professional building repair services? Give London Structural Repairs a call today at 020 8936 7699 today to find out the different ways in which our team of professionals can help you with building repairs and maintenance and all kinds of repairs!

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Stone Damage

Common Reasons for Stone Damage

Stone damage is one of the most common problems that home owners in London and surrounding areas have to experience. Since stone structures are known for having an incredibly sophisticated and elegant look, even the most minute damages can affect the property considerably when it comes to buildings that are made primarily of stone. 

Despite the various reasons that can contribute to the deterioration of stone structures, you will be glad to know that the damage is – in most cases – completely reversible, which means that professional services like London Structural Repairs can leave your buildings looking good as new. 

Interested in learning more about the most common reasons for stone damage in London and how our professionals at London Structural repairs can help? Read on as we let you in on three of the most common reasons why stone damage occurs and how we can help.

 

 

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Crystallisation of Salts

It doesn’t come as a surprise to many that stone structures often have salts in their pores and openings. Contrary to popular belief, however, the crystallization of these salts can prove to be highly detrimental to the surface of the stone structure, leaving it with visible cracks and seams, affecting the look of the stone structure or building in an extremely negative way.

 

Dissolution 

While many people fail to take this into consideration, certain types of stones including marbles, limestone, and dolostone can be affected by acid rain which has unfortunately become a common occurrence in most cities. When in contact with water that has been mixed with acidic elements or compounds, structures or buildings that have been created using any of the aforementioned stones or other carbonate stones will begin to deteriorate and lose their lustre and shine as a result of dissolution. 

In certain cases, cracks and seams, too, can start forming on the structure, leaving it dull and unattractive. However, by consulting a professional service like London Structural Repairs, you can have the surface of your stone structure repaired. Furthermore, our professionals will also be able to help you deal with hidden damages that may not be as prominent.

 

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Why is it important to get the Structural Repairs carried out by a specialist?

As a home owner it is important to try and get any structural repair works to your property carried out by a specialist company, because it will save you time and money as a lot of the drawings supplied by a structural engineer can be quit complicated and hard to understand especially for a general builder who has not had any training in modern remedial repair systems.

If you have recently purchased a property or are in the process of buying one and would like help in understanding any structural defects on the property or if you would like a quotation then please contact London Structural Repairs one of Londons leading specialists structural repair companies.

 

Human Contact

Another reason that most people fail to take into consideration is human contact with stone buildings. Regular human contact such as walking on marble floors etc is known to deteriorate the look of stone buildings and structures. Additionally, stone structures are often more easily damaged with sharp objects compared to concrete structures, leaving them with visible lines and cracks that take away from the elegant cv finish of the stone structure. 

Fortunately for many, companies like London Structural Repairs have a team of experts that can help with any kind of stone damage. Leveraging the latest tools and techniques, our experts can not only improve the look of your stone buildings, but also deal with cracks, seams, and other stone structure problems in a professional manner, leaving your buildings looking good as new. 

 

Interested in stone repairs? Give us a call at 020 8936 7699 today to find out how we can help!

 

 

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Structural Survey

Structural survey Benefits

What is a structural survey?

A structural survey is carried out by a firm of structural engineers. It consists of a detailed inspection from the top to the bottom of a building looking at all aspects of the building structure, for example: the condition of the roof, the types of materials used, possible areas of concern, damage to brick or stonework and damp related issues. A structural survey is the most comprehensive type of building surveys, they find potential problems and building defects which will then be put into a detailed structural survey report identifying any problems found and then a specialist structural repair company can carry out the repairs.

London Structural Repairs work closely with Structural Surveyors and engineers to help solve any defects your property may have.

 

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Why is a structural survey important?

A Structural survey is important for finding out what problems you have with your building, for example, if you are looking to buy a new house as an investment or to live in you may want to consider having a structural surveys carried out if: the property is of a Victorian or Edwardian period, the property is expensive, the property is more than 2 stories high, you can clearly see the property needs structural repair works i.e if it is showing signs of any cracking or movement, if the property is of an unusual construction i.e timber framed, or if you are intending on carrying out any major alterations to the property. A structural survey may help you decide whether you wish to purchase the property as is will give you an indication on how much you would need to spend in order to fix the problems.

 

What is a Structural Engineers Report?

Structural engineers reports are carried out by a chartered structural or civil engineer, they identify, evaluate and give recommendations to the homeowners on any problems with the foundation or the structure of their home. Within this report such problems may be uncovered: if soil erosion has occurred, if your buildings foundation is poorly constructed, or if any wood is present which may create future problems as rotting is possible.

 

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Why is it important to get the Structural Repairs carried out by a specialist?

As a home owner it is important to try and get any structural repair works to your property carried out by a specialist company, because it will save you time and money as a lot of the drawings supplied by a structural engineer can be quit complicated and hard to understand especially for a general builder who has not had any training in modern remedial repair systems.

If you have recently purchased a property or are in the process of buying one and would like help in understanding any structural defects on the property or if you would like a quotation then please contact London Structural Repairs one of Londons leading specialists structural repair companies.

 

 

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Concrete Damage

What is concrete damage

Concrete Damage: Why does it happen?

Contrary to popular belief, concrete too, has a lifespan after which it can become damaged. Concrete damage can also be a sign of an underlying structural issue. Since there can be many complications caused as a direct result of the damage, concrete repair should be a priority as soon as a crack is detected.
There are a few reasons why concrete can become damaged even before its time. A few reasons of concrete damage are listed below:

Quick Drying
If the concrete you are using dries very quickly, chances are that it will crack soon after it solidifies. The shift in state of the concrete from liquid to solid requires a degree of water to be present in the concrete mixture.

Corrosion Caused by Reinforcement Bars
When iron bars are reinforced into the concrete in order to strengthen the structure, there is a possibility of rust forming on the iron through chemical reactions. The increased volume of rust will press against the concrete and make room for its own expansion. This strain on the concrete by the rust may cause it to crack. These types of concrete damage are particularly dangerous since the stability of the entire structure is under threat due to both rusty bars and damaged concrete.

Too Much Water in the Concrete Mixture
As opposed to the causes for quick drying, excessive amounts of water in the concrete mixture can also cause the concrete to eventually crack. Concrete achieves its maximum strength without the use of too much water. An excess of water can tamper with the potential strength of the concrete. Concrete damage caused by excessive water is one of the most common problems since people are generally unaware of the water requirements of different qualities of concrete.

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What should you do if you see cracks in your concrete?
Concrete damage is dangerous. Cracks caused as a result of imprecise proportions of water in your concrete mixture may teach you a lesson or two for the future, but the cracks still need to be dealt with. If you notice any discoloration in your walls, this can be an indication of water leakages and mould accumulating in the concrete. Additionally, any cracks which seem to worsen with time also put your home or building in great danger since the problem often goes beyond the surface in cases like these.

In any case, concrete repair or replacement is extremely necessary if cracks are detected. You can never be certain how much damage has already been done. Attempting to repair the damage in your property by yourself is not advised since there are usually a number of complications involved in the structure of a building. You should always leave concrete repairs work to a experienced and insured professional to prevent any further damage.

If your concrete is damaged then why not check out our services to help you.

London Structural Repairs have experience and expertise in using Sikaconcrete repair products.

If you live in London and have noticed any cracks to your property, give us a call at 020 8936 7699 let our professionals take care of your concrete repairs.

 

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