Monitoring Cracks and Movement Before Subsidence Repairs
Professional monitoring to track subsidence movement and determine if repair works are necessary.
When to start monitoring cracks
Monitoring is typically recommended when:
Historic movement identified
Your survey shows old cracks that appear to have stabilised, but confirmation is needed before closing an insurance claim.
Cause has been addressed
Problem trees removed or drains repaired - monitoring confirms the ground is stabilising.
Seasonal patterns suspected
Cracks appear during dry weather but close in winter - monitoring over 12+ months shows the full cycle.
Before major decisions
You're buying, selling, or planning works - monitoring provides evidence of stability or ongoing issues.
Simple DIY monitoring methods
Basic crack monitoring can help you track changes before getting professional help:
Tell-tale strips
Glass or plastic strips fixed across cracks. If they break, the crack has widened. Simple but limited - they only show if movement happened, not how much or when.
Limitation: Can't measure precise movement and don't provide professional evidence for insurance or legal purposes.
Photographic records
Regular photos with a ruler or coin for scale. Useful to see general changes over time.
Limitation: Difficult to measure accurately and not accepted as evidence by most insurers.
Professional crack monitoring and data logging
Precise measurement
Digital monitoring to 0.01mm accuracy showing exactly how much movement occurs.
Pattern identification
Track seasonal cycles to understand if movement is ongoing or stabilising.
Professional reports
Detailed reports accepted by insurers, mortgage lenders, and courts.
What professional monitoring includes
- ✓ Precision monitoring studs installed across key cracks
- ✓ Initial baseline measurements taken
- ✓ Regular visits (typically quarterly) to remeasure
- ✓ Correlation with weather data and ground conditions
- ✓ Detailed reports showing movement trends over time
- ✓ Final assessment confirming stability or recommending repairs
How long to monitor before deciding on repairs
Minimum 12 months
Most insurers require at least one full seasonal cycle to understand movement patterns. Clay soils in Manchester typically move most in summer and autumn.
Sometimes 18-24 months
If movement is borderline or causes have been recently addressed (tree removal, drain repairs), extended monitoring confirms stabilisation.
Important: Monitoring is not a permanent solution if movement is ongoing and significant. It's a diagnostic tool to determine whether expensive repairs are actually necessary.
Start professional monitoring
Get accurate evidence of what's happening to your property. Our approved specialists provide comprehensive monitoring services accepted by all major insurers.
Request a Monitoring Quote