Maintaining a Heritage Site

Buildings that have stood for hundreds of years have their own cultural and historical significance, but methods and the materials used in their original construction don’t always stand the test of time and issues of subsidence are one of the most common problems.

Historic buildings may require remediation work to maximise life expectancy and preserve their historical significance. Traditionally, these older buildings were constructed with shallow foundations or footings, many just resting on the soil or on layers of loose stones, leaving them vulnerable to subsidence. A building with shallow foundations can move with the ground it sits on, whereas deeper foundations transfer the load further down where the soil typically doesn’t fluctuate as much. Heritage buildings often have issues with water ingress into the foundation soil which can also cause the ground to subside. These factors need to be considered when devising an appropriate remediation plan.

Many heritage buildings have legal restrictions in place to help preserve the building’s integrity and history, so before undertaking any work, consultation with the relevant authority is recommended. There are however a number of things building owners can do to help prevent structural issues occurring before it’s too late.

An important thing to do is assess the drainage. While it may not be possible to make significant changes, it is essential that proper maintenance is conducted. This includes ensuring drains are free-flowing with no blockages that could cause an overflow, as a consistent flow of water leaking into the soil can saturate the ground and wash away part of the foundations.

Assessing the grounds and gardens around the building is also crucial, as the roots of trees and shrubs can suck moisture from the ground and cause settlement if they are in close proximity to a building. If there is a tree close to the property, make sure it is managed and maintained so that it does not become a problem and when planting new trees ensure that they are not close to a building.

Movement in old buildings is normal, but professional help should be sought when this movement is ongoing and begins to threaten the use or safety of the structure.

New cracking in walls is a good indicator here, if there are cracks over 5mm in size that are continuing to grow, then consult with an expert to assess the underlying cause which could be subsidence. They may recommend ground engineers to help strengthen the foundations and stabilise the structure preventing future movement, as well as raise or re-level the building and reduce, or even close the cracks back up.

To an extent all structures can have their foundation ground issues remediated, but with heritage sites the aim is to strengthen the ground and preserve the structure without causing any other damage.

There are typically two options available; traditional concrete underpinning or more modern resin injection methods. At Mainmark, our proprietary Teretek® engineered resin is a two-in-one solution that can improve ground bearing capacity and re-level structures, with minimal intrusion.

The process is likened to key-hole surgery because it is injected through very small tubes into the ground beneath the foundation in a controlled manner, to fill voids and strengthens the ground that has subsided. This can also help raise the building back to level. In cases where more substantial ground strengthening or lift is required, Mainmark’s JOG Computer Controlled Grouting technology is a reliable and accurate solution which can be used in conjunction with Teretek.

As subsidence continues to become one of the biggest problems affecting older buildings in Britain today, it is critical that owners are aware of the advanced solutions now available, helping to effectively repair the ground to ensure the property stands on stable foundations for many more years to come.