Subsidence caused by leaking drains

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22 Apr 2014
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Hi, We are trying to sell my late fathers bungalow. Unfortunately it has a large crack between the kitchen and dining room walls, and also some other small cracks in other walls which we have been told are caused by subsidence as a result of water leaking from drains. We have had the drains surveyed and they are in a bad state, most will be replaced.

However, some of the drain repair companies say we should also have the bungalow underpinned. This seems excessive for a lite, one storey bungalow. All the stuff I have read online regarding leaky drains says the subsidence stops once the drains are fixed.

Some of the drain companies said that as there was no soil in the pipes a lot of soil has been lost, implying further subsidence.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this sort of subsidence? Do we need to underpin or are we being led up the garden path.

Thanks
Mark
 
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Hi FMT, Insurance surveyor looked at subsidence before drain surveyors and said all that was needed was probably drain repairs and decoration. I think it will be a protracted process to get them to pay for underpinning, they have said collapse of drains was due to old age and therefore not covered by policy. Haven't thought about building control. I suppose having it signed off by building control would be good for prospective buyers.
 
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It's not good it's essential. A prospective buyer who needs a mortgage will not even touch it without. Or to be more precise their mortgage company won't.
 

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