Ground subsidence shows itself through cracks in the house, the floor dropping relative to the walls, skirting boards coming away from the wall, an excessive slope in the floor, and so on. This is when an expert architect must study the architect’s project for the works and the geotechnical report, and inspect the house, to determine whether the design of the house or building was incorrect or the works were badly executed.
Once the origin of the subsidence and the responsible construction party have been determined, a claim must be made.
Ground subsidence in built-up areas
Ground subsidence is caused by poor soil compaction, backfill materials, clayey or uncompacted soil, or even water seepage, whether from the water table or from burst pipes.
Ground subsidence often shows up as cracks in the dwelling. It may be caused by differential settlement, by poor soil quality that was not taken into account in the foundation design, or by water seepage because the foundation was not properly waterproofed.
Sometimes differential settlement is caused by the so-called “fines washing” effect. When an underground supply pipe breaks, for example, and a large amount of water is released into the ground, its composition changes. If the soil is not sufficiently compacted and hard, and the design made no provision for this (for example by founding at a deeper level or choosing braced footings), the ground will sink and the structural element it supports will sink with it, causing differential settlement.
How to claim for a sloping floor in your house
It is very easy to see: with a level (or even a small ball) you can detect unevenness in the floor, an excessive slope to one side, or a floor that is not as level as it should be. Some areas do need a slight slope to drain rainwater (terraces, patios or garage spaces), but the floor inside the house should not slope at all and should be completely horizontal.
The claims procedure is clear. First, an expert architect must inspect the house or building and draw up an expert report, which will be the basis and evidence for a legal claim.
This report will establish not only the origin of the ground subsidence but also the method and cost of repair.
With the findings of the expert report, the responsibilities of the architect, the quantity surveyor, the builder and/or the developer will be determined, and repair or compensation for the construction defects will be claimed in court.
If you have any questions, please contact us.