If sufficient differential movement is experienced by a building, the end result can be rotation of the affected wall. Walls tend to fall either outward causing the wall to bow, or along the length of the wall causing either interference with windows and doors or projecting corners with rotation out of plane and bending on at least one wall panel.
Damage is typically more obvious the higher up you look. Gaps in the soffit lining or displaced timber quads are key indicators that the wall may have shifted (it can also reveal foundation movement elsewhere as a result of tension through the roof). Separation of the bricks from window or door frames is also likely as the wall extends or rolls outward. On long uninterrupted panels, step cracks will appear in the brick work as there are no existing wall openings that act as natural weak points in the wall.
In older constructions where eaves linings consisted of timber bird boards, the roof structure may be sufficiently strong enough to capture the wall. Instead of damage to the eaves, the brick wall will break along a horizontal plane high up on the wall, resulting in a noticeable buckle as the lower section rotates outward.
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A variety of factors contribute to the underlying issues that lead to leaning or cracked walls, sinking floors, jammed doors and more.
These issues often stem from changes in the ground beneath a property, leading to soil movement. The impact of these changes can vary significantly depending on the type of ground your property is built on, with certain conditions exacerbating the effects.
As the ground shifts, it can cause buildings to experience subsidence, where foundations or footings lose their support and sink into the weakened ground.
Here are a few of the common causes of house subsidence.
Changes in moisture levels, especially in clay-rich soils, can cause the ground to swell when wet and shrink when dry. This fluctuation leads to uneven foundation support, causing subsidence.
Trees and large shrubs can absorb significant amounts of water from the soil, leading to shrinkage beneath foundations. Additionally, roots growing under the house can physically move the soil, destabilizing the foundation.
Persistent water leaks from broken pipes or poor drainage can wash away or soften the soil under a foundation, leading to subsidence as the ground loses its ability to support the structure.
Adding extensions or conservatories without properly assessing the additional load can exceed the soil's bearing capacity under a home, causing the foundation to sink. This is a common issue when expanding residential properties without thorough ground assessment.
Excavation and construction work in close proximity to residential properties can disturb the soil's stability, leading to subsidence. The vibrations from heavy machinery and the removal of support from adjacent land can have a significant impact.
Leaking pipes, especially those running beneath a house, can erode or soften the soil foundation over time. In residential properties, unnoticed leaks are a frequent cause of sudden or gradual subsidence, as they change the soil's consistency and capacity to bear weight.