Case Study


Geobear injects an expansive geopolymer resin into the ground beneath foundations. T e resin solidifi es in the ground and compacts granular soils, or fi lls the fi ssures in clay soils, providing full stabilisation beneath the sinking foundation and preventing any further structural movement. By working in partnership, dozens of properties


were stabilised in a single month, providing cost savings to the client and importantly, with no requirement for tenants to move out of the property or neighbourhoods disrupted. In choosing the Geobear solution, the Housing


Association was able to process the foundation maintenance requirements for properties in bulk. Dealing with groups of properties in this manner greatly reduced the administrative time required and enabled all the works to be processed and scheduled within weeks, rather than over a course of a number of years. With this method of stabilisation, the client


did not have to process the temporary relocation of tenants, or utilise void properties. For each individual property this would save thousands in relocation costs and potentially lost rental income, notwithstanding the inconvenience for the tenants. For the tenants of the properties, their primary


concerns were not having to move out of their home, but also the safety of the property they lived in. Living within a property that has cracks in the walls caused by subsidence can be a major concern. With the maintenance works completed they have the assurance that the property is being maintained and safe to live in.


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ALTERNATIVES T e traditional alternative to stabilise buildings suff ering with subsidence is mass concrete underpinning. T is is a labour-intensive activity that takes many weeks or even months to complete. It involves major excavation around the foundations of properties and damages surrounding areas. T e location of the property is an important factor as underpinning the front elevation of a row of pavement lined, terraced properties, located on busy one-way streets is a major undertaking and impacts the wider community. However, with the Geobear solution only


one van was required to park outside the properties. Consequently, there was virtually no disruption to any other residents in the community, especially as on average it took two days to stabilise each property. T e cost to underpin a single property is in a


similar bracket to the Geobear solution, but with measurable fi nancial benefi ts come in the form of reduced administrative costs and more signifi cantly their being no relocation costs, or lost rental income. T e relocation for a family while traditional underpinning is completed could amount to in excess of £5k, in using Geobear this cost is removed.


THE FUTURE Subsidence is an issue facing all associations, some more than others. At present procurement of underpinning services diff ers depending whether it’s Council or Association managed. If the example provided by Geobear can be


Drain monitoring to ensure materials do not block drains


adopted by other housing associations, the cost benefi ts are signifi cant. For example, if an association has 10 properties with subsidence each requiring tenant relocation, there is a potential for £50k in cost savings. By adopting a partnered approach to property


subsidence with Geobear, the sector as a whole could save millions in costs and ensure it’s housing stock is fi t for purpose, and minimise the quantity of stock unavailable to tenants. To discuss working with Geobear, please contact


Chris Carlton. 0800 084 3503 chris.carlton@geobear.com


Injections to gable end of a property HMM04_Geobear_DPS.indd 3


www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMApril/May 2023 | 21 28/04/2023 12:33


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