Resin Injection vs Traditional Underpinning: Modern Subsidence Solutions for Manchester Properties

Your Manchester property has subsidence. Twenty years ago, underpinning was the only option. Now there’s resin injection—but is it suitable for your Victorian terrace?

Resin injection (also called ground stabilisation) offers faster, less invasive subsidence repair. But it’s not suitable for every Manchester property.

How resin injection works:
Expanding polyurethane resin injected beneath foundations. Resin expands, filling voids, compacting loose soil, lifting settled foundations.

Completion time: 1-3 days versus 4-8 weeks for traditional underpinning.

Advantages for Manchester properties:
– Minimal excavation (crucial for terraced properties with limited access)
– No need to move out during works
– Significantly faster completion
– Less disruption to surrounding properties
– Often cheaper than underpinning (£3,000-12,000 vs £10,000-50,000)

When resin injection works well:
– Subsidence on loose or sandy soils
– Voids caused by leaking drains
– Made ground or fill material that’s consolidated
– Properties where access for underpinning difficult

Properties in Ancoats, New Islington, or other former industrial areas with variable ground often suit resin injection.

When traditional underpinning needed:
– Clay soil subsidence (most of south Manchester)
– Tree-related subsidence (shrinkable clay)
– Significant foundation failure
– Properties requiring substantial lift (>25mm)

Victorian terraces in Chorlton, Didsbury, Levenshulme on clay soil typically need traditional underpinning. Resin injection won’t address ongoing clay shrinkage.

Insurance acceptance:
Some insurers question resin injection’s longevity. Traditional underpinning has 100+ year track record. Get insurer approval before proceeding.

The honest advice:
Specialist companies promote resin injection heavily. Independent structural engineers provide unbiased assessment. Always get independent advice before choosing solution.

Modern methods offer options. But Manchester’s clay soil and Victorian housing stock still often require proven traditional approaches.

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