Underpinning Liverpool is a local underpinning and structural repair contractor working on homes across Liverpool and Merseyside. We carry out underpinning, subsidence repairs and structural crack repairs to the design and specification of a chartered structural engineer, with Building Control involved wherever the Building Regulations apply.
What do we do?
Our work is the repair of houses that have moved, or are moving, because of the ground beneath them or a weakness in the structure itself. That covers subsidence repairs, mini-piled and mass concrete underpinning, crack stitching with helical bars, wall tie replacement, lintel replacement, bowing walls and the repairs that follow heave or leaking drains. We also help arrange the investigation that has to come first: a structural engineer’s inspection, crack monitoring, soil tests, trial pits and CCTV drain surveys.
Why do we start with the cause, not the cure?
The RICS consumer guide on subsidence says fewer than 5% of affected properties need underpinning, and that the Institution of Structural Engineers recommends it only as a last resort. Most movement is dealt with by finding and removing the cause, such as a broken drain or a thirsty tree on clay, letting the ground stabilise and then repairing the cracks. Underpinning a house that did not need it is expensive and disruptive, and it can create new problems at the junction with parts that were not underpinned. So we would rather recommend an engineer’s inspection and, where needed, monitoring or investigation before anyone talks about a repair method.
Who designs the repair?
Every repair is designed by a chartered structural engineer. We do not produce our own structural designs, and we never suggest a homeowner can diagnose or repair structural movement themselves. The engineer sets the method, depths, bay sizes and sequence; we carry out the work to that design, and the engineer and Building Control inspect and sign off as applicable.
Where do we work?
We cover Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens and Wirral, plus Widnes. That takes in Victorian terraces with shared walls, period villas with bays and cellars, inter-war and post-war semis with extensions, coastal homes on sandy ground and large houses on sloping plots. Our areas we cover page lists the districts, and our homepage explains foundation underpinning in Liverpool in more depth.
What can you expect from us?
- A call back where we listen to what you have noticed before suggesting anything.
- Honest advice when underpinning is probably not the answer.
- Plain-English explanations of the engineer’s findings and the options.
- A written quote for the engineer-designed scheme before work starts.
- Building Control notices handled, and cooperation with party wall surveyors where the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.
- Work carried out in planned stages so the structure is always supported.
What if an insurer is involved?
If you have a live or likely subsidence claim, your buildings insurer decides how it is investigated and repaired, usually through a loss adjuster and engineer. We can explain how claims normally run and carry out a scheme the insurer has agreed, but we never promise a claim will be accepted. Our page on subsidence insurance claims explains more.
Talk to us about cracks or movement
Call 07777 659786 or send your details through the form, and we will call you back to talk it through.