Help needed with cracking and movement to IP

Hi All

My IP is in Caroline Springs, Melbourne and is currenty tenanted.
Soil classification Qy=uaternary Basalti Clay classified as Highly reactive Clay Site (Class H type).

Damage is to the external front of the property with cracks observed to the brick workand render, and cracking to the ceiling plaster, cornice and wall plaster of the master bedroom.

I am not sure what to do. Our insurers RACV, have had 2 building inspections, 2 plumbing inspections carried out but could not determine the cause of the movement. They then engaged an engineer to report on the damages. The inspection report advised that the cracking and movement to the front entrance area of the house is typical of problems that occur due to differential settlements of the footings. In their opinion, the cracking and movement in the house has resulted due to following factors:

Seasonal Changes
Tree roots drying out
Defferential movements between diferent footing types

The engineer’s recommendations are:

“We would recommend that copies of the original structural drawing be obtained to determine the footing types to the brick piers to the front of the house. Depending on the footing types, it is possible that pressure grouting methods could help stabilise th footings particularly to the front secction of the house. it is possible that the pressure grouting methods could re-level the footings to minimize the cracking. Once the footings have been stabilsied then repairs can be carried out to the interior and exterior cracking.

We would also recommend that the trees growing at the front of the house (pencil pines) should be removed and more appropriate plantings installed”

Based on above, RACV have denied my claim. I am not sure what to do next or how to proceed as cracks contnue to appear slowly. Any advise or help will be highly appreciated.

Thank you

• This topic was modified 8 years, 10 months ago by  kiyaora.