Underpinning in Burgess Hill & Mid Sussex
Foundation strengthening for homes on Burgess Hill’s Weald Clay, carried out to an engineer’s design by a local team.
Clay ground and foundations in Burgess Hill
Burgess Hill sits in the Low Weald, almost entirely on Weald Clay. The same clay made the town’s name as a brick and tile centre, but as a building ground it moves with the seasons: it shrinks as it dries out in long, hot summers and swells again when it is wet. The British Geological Survey identifies shrink-swell clay as one of the main causes of subsidence damage to houses in the south-east, and the clays of the Weald are one of the areas it studies most.
Trees and large hedges make the effect worse, because their roots draw water out of the clay. Leaking drains can soften the ground in the opposite way. Older houses with shallow footings, and extensions built on shallower foundations than the main house, are the most likely to show it.
Call Josh on 07518 403458 (Mon–Fri, 7:30am–6pm) or send us your details through our contact form. Quotes are free and without obligation.
Get a free quote in Burgess Hill
Is underpinning the answer?
Not always, and often not first. Cracks have many causes, and some movement is seasonal and minor. Where subsidence is suspected, the usual sequence is an investigation and often a period of monitoring by an engineer or your insurer, then dealing with the cause, such as a tree or a broken drain. Underpinning is the solution where the foundation itself needs to go deeper or wider to reach stable ground, or where new loads are planned.
If you think your home has subsidence, speak to your buildings insurer early: many policies cover investigation and repair, and they will usually appoint their own engineers.
How we carry out underpinning
Underpinning is designed by a structural engineer and needs Building Regulations approval from Mid Sussex District Council or a registered building control approver. Traditional mass concrete underpinning is dug in short sections, or bays, in a set sequence so the house is supported throughout, with each section inspected before concrete goes in. The engineer decides the method and depth, and we build to that design.
If the excavation is within three metres of a neighbour’s foundations and deeper than them, or the work is on a shared wall, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 is likely to require notice. Once the structural work is done, our team repairs the cracks, re-plasters and puts the house back together.
Underpinning before an extension
Underpinning is also used when an existing foundation needs strengthening before a new load goes on it, for example before an extension in Burgess Hill or when a wall is removed with a new steel beam that brings a point load onto an old footing. Planning it as part of the wider project keeps everything with one team. We also take on underpinning in Haywards Heath, Hassocks and across Mid Sussex.
Frequently asked questions
Does Burgess Hill have a subsidence problem?
Much of the town is built on Weald Clay, which shrinks and swells with moisture. That does not mean every house is affected, but it is why foundation depth near trees matters and why cracks are worth having checked.
Will my insurer pay for underpinning?
Many buildings insurance policies cover subsidence, usually with a higher excess. Contact your insurer before starting any work, as they will normally want to investigate first.
Do I need Building Regulations approval for underpinning?
Yes. Underpinning is notifiable building work and is inspected by building control.
Can I stay at home during underpinning?
Often, yes, depending on where the work is and whether it needs to be done from inside. We will explain what to expect when we quote.
Talk to us about your project
Call Josh on 07518 403458 (Mon–Fri, 7:30am–6pm) or send us your details through our contact form. Quotes are free and without obligation.
Related pages
Your next chapter
starts with a conversation.
Tell us what you have in mind. Let’s build it together.