From your first description of the problem to a solid, documented repair, each stage below sets out what happens, who does what, and what you receive at the end.
The stages a specialist follows for void filling are consistent across every job, whether the void is under a path, a slab or a structure.
Describe what you are seeing
Fill in the form with the address and a short account of the problem. Note where any cracking, settlement or ground movement appears, roughly when it started, and whether it has changed. A photo placed beside a ruler gives useful scale. The quote is free.
A specialist calls you
A void filling specialist contacts you to go through the details. They will ask about the ground conditions, the structure above, any nearby drainage and whether the movement has been steady or sudden. If an insurer has opened a file, mention that at this stage.
Pricing from photos or a site visit
For a smaller job, the specialist works out a price from the photos and information you send. For a larger or more complex job, they arrange a free site visit to assess the extent of the void, the material needed and the access required before quoting.
Written quote
You receive a written quote setting out the work proposed, the method to be used and the price. Nothing proceeds until you accept it.
The repair
The specialist carries out the void filling, soil stabilisation or sinkhole remediation the evidence calls for. Methods vary by ground type, load and depth, so the approach is matched to what the investigation found rather than a fixed procedure.
Completion record and paperwork
Once the work is finished, the specialist produces a written record of what was found, what was injected or placed, and the condition of the ground and structure at sign-off. Any certificate the specialist issues should be stored with your title documents, ready for insurers, lenders or solicitors who ask about previous ground movement.
Your questions, answered
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What are the early signs that a void has formed under a property?
Subsidence cracks that run diagonally across walls, floors that flex or dip underfoot, doors that stick without an obvious cause, and gaps opening between floor edges and skirting boards can all point to a void developing beneath the structure. Any crack that widens over a few weeks, or a floor that feels less solid than it once did, is worth having looked at before the situation progresses.
What happens if a void under a building is left untreated?
Voids grow over time as soil continues to wash away or compress. A small hollow beneath a slab can widen until the slab loses enough support to crack or drop. Foundations can shift unevenly, putting stress on walls and causing secondary cracking throughout the structure. The earlier a void is dealt with, the smaller the repair is likely to be.
How does void filling work as a repair method?
The most common approach injects a grout or resin material through small-diameter holes drilled into the floor slab or surrounding ground. The material flows into the hollow space, compresses loose soil, and sets to form a stable mass. The specialist firm assesses the extent of the void first and advises on the right fill material and injection pattern for the ground conditions on site.
Does every property with ground movement need void filling?
Not necessarily. Ground movement has several causes, and not all of them involve a void. The specialist firm visits the site, examines the ground and structure, and advises whether void filling is the right course of action. Some situations call for soil stabilisation or sinkhole remediation instead. An accurate assessment avoids work that is not needed and identifies work that is.
Get a free quote today
Describe the problem and a specialist covering your area will come back with a clear answer on the cause, the work needed, and the cost.