3 warning signs of house subsidence.

House subsidence is a problem that can affect any house, due to various factors such as the house's location, time, vibrations, structural strength, and the weight of the house. Homeowners must understand the causes to prepare for and observe the signs indicating house subsidence or tilting. If problems are found, they must be addressed immediately before they escalate and become unmanageable.


Signs of House Subsidence:

Cracks in the House:


Cracks in the house can be dangerous or harmless. Hairline cracks in the plaster and paint are generally acceptable, but large cracks on walls or columns, or cracks indicating uneven house settlement causing diagonal separation of walls, are dangerous signs indicating structural problems.

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Sinking Ground


Inspect the ground around the house walls. If the ground has subsided, revealing cavities beneath the house, it's a sign of ground subsidence around the house. The extent of this impact on the house depends on the stability of the foundation piles. Problems often occur with concrete floors without piles, such as backyard laundry areas, sidewalks, or driveways. Furthermore, subsided soil can become a habitat for rats or snakes.

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How to fix a sinking house?

1. Contact the sales project.

When buying a new house, the seller will guarantee the structure, ensuring the safety and quality of the building as legally agreed upon in the purchase and sale contract.

Generally, house warranties are for at least 5 years, or as per legally stipulated terms and conditions in the Civil and Commercial Code and the Land Act. The purchase and sale contract will clearly specify the conditions to guarantee responsibility and repair any damage to the house.

If the homeowner has not made any additions that violate the warranty, they can demand that the seller fix the sinking problem. If the seller fails to do so, the homeowner can report the issue to the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), file a civil lawsuit for damages, or file a criminal lawsuit for fraud.


2. Consult a construction engineer.

This applies to older houses or houses whose warranties have expired. If your house is sinking, what's the correct way to fix it? It's recommended not to hire a general contractor to repair the visible problem. Instead, contact a specialized company or construction engineer to analyze the cause and find a targeted solution. This may involve excavating the ground to repair the foundation or using supporting columns to brace the sinking side of the house. There are several methods for repairing sinking houses, depending on the nature and severity of the problem.


3. House Jacking for Foundation Adjustment


In cases of severe ground subsidence or foundation damage beyond repair, another method to solve the problem without demolition is house jacking. The house is detached from its original foundation and lifted until it's above the ground. A new foundation is then installed, and the house is reattached to it. However, house jacking is a very expensive service. The larger and heavier the house, the more difficult and challenging the process, and it must be performed by a specialized company to ensure safety.
In conclusion, all homeowners now know what to do if their house is sinking and the importance of acting quickly before the problem escalates and becomes irreparable. Because repairing only the specific areas of a house that have subsidence is definitely cheaper than demolishing and rebuilding the entire foundation.

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Source of this article: DD Property