Investigating Foundation Problems in Yeovil Properties
Yeovil’s buildings include stone and brick houses, terraces, later residential developments and commercial premises. Their foundations can differ considerably, particularly where an original building has been extended or altered. Understanding those differences helps establish why damage has appeared and which parts of the structure require attention.
At ASRS Ltd, we examine the relationship between visible cracking, the building’s layout and its supporting foundations. Previous repairs, drainage problems and changes around the property can also help explain movement.
Cracks do not automatically mean that the whole building needs underpinning. Damage may arise from a defect above ground, movement confined to an addition or changes beneath a particular foundation. Our existing service for subsidence repairs in Yeovil addresses related building movement, with repair recommendations based on the evidence available for each property.
Start With an Assessment of the Affected Building
Our consultation and assessment service provides an opportunity to discuss the damage, review accessible areas and consider the next steps. Photographs, previous reports and details of when changes first appeared can help inform that discussion. Where further investigation is needed, its purpose should be established before the repair programme is finalised. This helps connect the proposed work to the problem being addressed.
First-class service
I would just like to pass on what a first-class service I received from your company. All the guys who attended, and Gary the Surveyor, were absolutely fantastic. I am so pleased with the work that was carried out.
LG – Witney, Oxfordshire
Professional attitude
I wanted to let you know that we were very pleased with the work, professional attitude, care and attention of the builders who worked on our property. Thank you.
PT – High Wycombe
A credit to ASRS
The team is a real credit to ASRS. Nothing was too much trouble. They took the time to explain what they were doing. Show the works as they were being progressed and left the area very clean and tidy.
LH - Milverton
A pleasure to deal with
Thanks for the work which - as far I can tell - was carried out to a high standard, and which started and finished on time and on budget.
I’d also like to put on record our appreciation of Lee who managed the job. He was careful and thorough, always professional in his approach and was a pleasure to deal with throughout.
TR – Aller, Somerset
Efficient and skilful
Thank you so much for the incredibly efficient and skilful way in which the structural repair work was carried out at my property.
I was particularly reassured by the team who carried out the work and kept me updated on what was happening.
BW - Bristol
Call us for help with any of these
Common structural defects, issues and problems
We offer free site visits to both domestic and professional clients to assess the problem and propose the appropriate repair programme, tailored to suit the specific needs of the project. ASRS are approved installers of the Helibeam System, offering cost effective, non-disruptive and concealed solutions to all aspects of remedial masonry stabilisation. Our skilled installation teams are trained and experienced in all aspects of masonry repair. They have been trained to the highest standard in every installation process to cover all H+S requirements. With most of our design and installation specifications we are proud to offer a 10yr indemnified guarantee on Helifix repairs and Micro Piling. We offer a 25yr guarantee for Wall Tie replacement.
Reasons
To trust ASRS
Free Quotation
Helifix Approved
Skilled Workforce
Guaranteed
Reasons to Trust ASRS
Free Site Visits
Arrange a free site visit to discuss the visible damage, your property’s condition and the next steps towards appropriate repairs.
Helifix Approved
We install established Helifix reinforcement systems where specified, helping strengthen damaged masonry while preserving the appearance of the existing building.
Skilled Installation Teams
Our trained installation teams follow the repair specification, with careful attention to workmanship, working arrangements and safety throughout your project.
Guarantees Where Applicable
Most specified Helifix repairs and micro piling projects can carry a 10-year indemnified guarantee, subject to the applicable project terms.
Specifying Underpinning and Additional Foundation Support
Underpinning provides additional support to existing foundations where the assessment and design establish that it is required. The appropriate arrangement depends on the building loads, ground conditions, existing foundation construction and the way the new support will connect to the structure.
ASRS’s foundation systems include screw-down micro piles, augered bored piles and steel-cased driven piles. Space, access and the findings of ground investigations influence which system can be used. A method suited to one Yeovil property may be unsuitable for another, even when the visible damage appears similar.
Through our design and repair programmes, we can provide drawings, method statements and calculations where necessary. We also work alongside appointed engineers and other property professionals. The resulting specification should identify the areas requiring support, the installation requirements and any associated masonry repairs, giving the installation team a clear basis for carrying out the work.
Foundation Repairs in Yeovil FAQs
Can foundation movement be limited to one corner of a building?
Foundation movement can affect a particular section of a property rather than the entire footprint. A corner, bay or later addition may have different supporting conditions from the rest of the building. However, the location of visible cracks does not establish the full extent of the problem, because walls can transfer forces beyond the affected foundation. The assessment should consider adjoining elevations, internal damage and the relationship between connected parts of the structure. Where the evidence supports a local repair, additional support may be designed for the affected area. The scope still needs to account for how that repair interacts with the foundations and masonry around it.
How do you distinguish foundation damage from lintel or wall tie problems?
The position and pattern of damage provide useful clues, but similar cracks can arise from different defects. A problem around a window could involve its lintel, movement in the surrounding masonry or changes beneath the wall. Failed cavity wall ties can also affect the condition and alignment of an external wall. ASRS considers the building’s construction and the distribution of damage before recommending a repair approach. Further investigation may be needed where the cause remains uncertain. This matters because strengthening a lintel, replacing wall ties and supporting a foundation address different problems. The proposed work should follow the assessment rather than rely on a single visible symptom.
What access will be needed for foundation repair work?
Access requirements depend on the selected repair system and the position of the foundations requiring support. The team needs to consider routes for equipment and materials, available working space and any surfaces that must be opened to reach the foundation. Nearby drains, underground services and adjoining structures may also influence the installation arrangements. Some micro piling work can use compact equipment, although this does not mean every restricted site is suitable without further assessment. Before work begins, the proposed access route, working areas and reinstatement requirements should be discussed. For occupied properties, those arrangements also need to account for entrances and the way residents or staff use the building.
How is new foundation support connected to the existing building?
Additional support must form part of a designed load path between the building and suitable supporting ground. Installing a pile near a wall is only one part of that arrangement. The specification must also establish how the existing foundation transfers load into the new support. Depending on the selected system, this may involve a designed bracket or another specified connection. The condition and dimensions of the existing foundation therefore matter, alongside the building loads and installation details. ASRS follows the agreed repair specification and can work with the appointed engineer where required. Connection details should be established for the particular structure before the installation proceeds.
Can foundation repairs be planned around an occupied business?
Yes, occupancy can be considered when planning the repair programme, although the working arrangements depend on the building and the extent of the repairs. Shops, offices and other commercial premises may need particular entrances, circulation routes or operational areas to remain accessible. The proposed sequence should identify where excavation, equipment and materials will affect those activities, together with any periods when access must be restricted. ASRS can discuss these requirements with the owner or building manager before installation. Some projects may allow work to proceed in stages, while others require temporary changes to normal operations. The programme should reflect the repair specification and the conditions found on site.
Do you cover properties outside Yeovil town centre?
We provide foundation repair services across Yeovil and surrounding communities, including enquiries from East Coker, West Coker and Mudford. Properties outside the town centre are assessed on their own construction and site conditions, whether they are village houses, extended homes or commercial buildings. Our wider regional work also includes subsidence repairs across Somerset and support for property owners requiring subsidence repairs in Taunton. When making an enquiry, provide the property address, a description of the damage and any available photographs or reports. Those details help us understand the location, likely access arrangements and the next steps for discussing the project.