BUILDING & PEST ALERT! Possible subsidence; Call Forensic Engineers!.
The owner of this classic home had a Building & Pest Report before putting it on the market.
Subsidence & Wall Crack? Call Forensic Engineers for an Expert Structural Engineer Reports
Forest Lake: Cracked House For Sale.
An excellent Building & Pest Inspection identified gaps in window reveals and door jambs due to possible subsidence & we were asked to investigate.
Our Structural Engineer Report found that there had been some initial settlements that opened some gaps, but the house was quite stable.
We found that there was no requirement for any structural repairs (underpinning) and the gaps could be sealed where required.
Peace-of-mind for the seller & buyer.
Home owners & buyers with subsidence issues can rely on Forensic Engineers for an honest, independent engineer report.
WHICH UNDERPINNING IS BEST?
WHICH TYPE OF UNDERPINNING IS BEST?
We get asked this question every day.
FIRST RULE: Should you trust Underpinning Sales Reps?
Underpinning Sales reps are well paid and are very convincing. But before signing up for any type of expensive underpinning, do yourself a favour and contact Forensic Engineers for an expert, independent structural engineer report. Because we are on your side and we aren’t trying to sell you underpinning.
SECOND RULE: Which Underpinning is Best for You?
- Reinforced concrete piers and headstocks are the industry standard due to their practicality and long-term reliability. They should be your top choice in most situations!
- Steel Screw Piers "Hype": Some underpinning sales reps talk up the amazing benefits of steel screw piers, but in most cases it is just sales sweet-talk. Steel screw piers have some benefits in certain applications, but in most residential cases they are not the best option and are often massively over-priced. The best Underpinners can offer normal bored piers as-well-as steel screw piers, if and when required, and at a realistic cost.
- Polyurethane Resin Underpinning is excellent for lifting wide concrete slabs that aren’t anchored down. In some cases, it can also be effective for underpinning house footings. But soil conditions and footing and slab design may limit the results.
A structural engineer report from Forensic Engineers will tell you which type of underpinning is best for you.
THIRD RULE: Avoid Underpinning When Possible
In many cases, footings and slabs can be stabilised without resorting to any expensive & stressful underpinning at all. And excessive floor level variations can often be reduced by following expert advice. Talk to forensic engineers for the best solutions!
Subsidence & wall cracks? Before jumping into expensive underpinning, contact Forensic Engineers for an expert, independent structural engineer report.
FOURTH RULE: Avoid Underpinners who offer to arrange an engineer report for you.
They charge twice the industry rate and their engineers work for them, not for you!
Forensic Engineers are on-your-side. We are 100% independent and our reports are for you - not for an underpinning sales rep.
Our Structural Engineer reports are so good, one Foundation Screw Pier Underpinner has copied our procedures in their marketing!
- Determine likely causes of the damages
- Give descriptive recommendations for actions or repairs
- If any underpinning is required, advise which method is appropriate, approx. locations & number required, reliable contractors & approximate costs.
FIFTH RULE: How much should you pay for a Structural Engineers Underpinning Report?
The base industry rate is around $800.00-$900.00, depending on the property size and location. If you have been quoted more than this, you should shop around.
END GAME: Speak to us!
Contact FORENSIC ENGINEERS next time you need engineering advice for subsidence, wall cracks and underpinning. Because we are 100% independent and we are on your side.
Thinking about underpinning your house? Live in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or anywhere in South East Queensland? Contact us today.
SUBSIDENCE, WALL CRACKS, SINK HOLES, STUMP DAMAGE
Structural Engineer Reports needed from Forensic Engineers.
These are cases we deal with every day.
Case 1) A house at Warner had serious settlements under a slab. We found the causes, assessed the slab condition and gave expert recommendations to re-support the slab.
Case 2) A Tweed Heads house with possibly serious subsidence problems. We found that there had been some footing settlements a long time ago, but the house was now stable. Some drainage work and expert crack repair required - no underpinning needed!
Case 3) Walloon house with serious slab movements. We are in Walloon just about every week! If you are looking to buy a house in this area and the Building & Pest Report finds wall cracks - for peace-of-mind, call us to arrange an Expert Structural Engineer Report.
Case 4) A house on-the-market at Stafford. The buyer was concerned that damaged stumps have caused structural damages to the house. Our expert investigation found that apart from some stumps that were past their "use-by" date, the house was "sound-as-a pound".
Forensic Engineers: Expert Structural Engineer Reports
RESIN INJECTION UNDERPINNING REQUIRED
Springfield Lakes House Subsiding; Resin Underpinning Required.
This house has a waffle-pod slab that has gradual subsidence at the front. And it is causing causing house cracks and gaps that are slowly getting larger and larger. The owner wants to stabilize the slab then start re-painting. And wisely, he called Forensic Engineers to conduct an investigation.
Our thorough Structural Engineer Report found that in this case, the ground conditions were Suitable for the Use of Polyurethane Structural Resin. Deep & Shallow Injection would be required to densify the founding soils, and re-support the front of the house slab.
If you are considering Underpinning, but are confused by sales "hype", which method is the best and how much should it cost? Contact Forensic Engineers for an independent opinion before signing any contract for Conventional Underpinning, Resin Underpinning, or Steel Screw Pier Underpinning.
We are on your side. And we are not trying to sell you anything!
SINK HOLES UNDER FOOTINGS & SLABS
These are common foundation issues we investigate every day.
A report from Forensic Engineers will provide peace-of-mind.
STRATA & BODY CORP ENGINEER REPORTS: SUBSIDENCE & UNDERPINNING
Body Corp & Strata Engineer Report Specialists!
Quotes in hours. Inspections and Reports in Days not weeks. And brilliant rates - to boot!
In this case the Body Corp called us in to investigate and report on this townhouse with subsidence and wall cracks and gaps that were getting worse and worse. It turned out that other engineers had previously looked at the building and had decided that subsidence had occurred in the past and had stopped and and the damages were not serious and could be patched and painted. Sadly, they were wrong.
We found that the townhouse was actually located on loose landfill that was gradually subsiding, bit-by-bit, year after year, and stabilization with underpinning was the solution.
In this case, Resin / Chemical Underpinning was not considered appropriate and Steel Screw piers would be far too expensive and not even necessary.
The most reliable and cost effective method was with conventional underpinning using reinforced concrete piers and head-stocks.
Forensic Engineers are the Body Corp & Strata Specialists.
Super fast quotes, inspections & reports.
And, our brilliant Structural Engineer Reports are affordable, accurate, easy to understand and 100% independent.
Gradual Subsidence: Resin Injection Underpinning
RESIN INJECTION UNDERPINNING. Springfield Lakes, Subsidence, Wall Cracks, Structural Engineer Report.
This waffle-pod slab has gradual subsidence at the front, causing cracks and gaps that are getting larger and larger. The owner wants to stabilize the slab then start re-painting.
Our thorough Structural Engineer Report found that in this case, the ground conditions were Suitable for the Use of Polyurethane Resin Deep & Shallow Injection to densify the founding soils and re-support the front of the house slab.
Considering Underpinning? Contact us for an independent opinion before signing any contract for Conventional, Screw Pier or Resin Underpinning..
We are on your side and we are not trying to sell you anything.
COOMERA WATERS STRUCTURAL ENGINEER REPORT REQUIRED
A brilliant Building & Pest Report spotted cracking in the top of this column and recommended that the buyer contact Forensic Engineers.
Our investigation found there had been some slight settlements during the build, but the column was "sound-as-a-pound".
And the column cracks could be repaired with cementitious grout.
A great result, and Peace of Mind for the buyer.
Forensic Engineers are the Subsidence & Wall crack experts. www.forensic-engineers.com.au
Body Corporate 5 Star Review!
BODY CORP & STRATA ENGINEER REPORTS
5 Star Review from a Body Corporate!
"Forensic Engineers were engaged by our Body Corporate at very short notice to conduct an inspection of our townhouse after another Engineering firm provided a less than satisfactory inspection & report on our premises.
They undertook the inspection yesterday in a very timely manner, after ensuring the full scope of work was agreed on by all stakeholders. Before leaving they gave a very much appreciated verbal debrief of his findings to us (the owner occupiers) & our BCC Chair. Their comprehensive report was completed very promptly overnight and sent to stakeholders this morning (Good Friday…a public holiday).
Forensic Engineers have to be commended for their vast professional knowledge, keen attention to detail; and their ability to call ‘a spade a spade’. We are very happy with the service Forensic Engineers has provided. Thumbs up, John & Simone"
- John and Simone
