Geobear can prevent structural movement and put an end to subsidence without the need to remove trees.

Buildings with foundations in clay soils, close to trees, are commonly affected by subsidence due to the trees’ withdrawal of moisture from the soil. This phenomenon is known as clay shrinkage and commonly results in crack damage to buildings, particularly around window and doorway openings in summer and autumn. In more highly shrinkable clays, the reverse happens in winter and spring when the return of moisture into the soil results in the closure of crack damage due to clay swelling.

Trees do not need to be removed

Loss Adjusters or Engineers have historically reacted to such issues by requesting the removal of the tree causing the damage to the building. 

With a geopolymer designed solution, the tree(s) adjacent to a property affected by subsidence can remain in place. 

With mature trees adjacent to the property, a standard Geobear geopolymer injection procedure is implemented to ensure an appropriate treatment depth below the mature tree root zone to prevent and guarantee against future movement. 

Illustration showing the resin filling up the cracks in the clay.

Tree removal considerations Retaining trees in our communities is a relatively new but understandably essential requirement. 

The social and political pressure on this matter is supported by Geobear who are leading the drive to deal with subsidence and retain our trees for the following benefits: 

• Environmental - The government and local authority planning guidance utilise a ‘carbon sink’ strategy to maintain trees to absorb co2 from the atmosphere and turn it into wood 

• Habitat Maintenance - Wildlife and local ecosystems are retained, trees are considered a SuDS - (Sustainable Urban Drainage System

• Mental well-being - Wildlife, trees provide an important psychological escape, especially in urban centres, especially with the impact of Covid 

• Legislative requirement to retain trees - Having an urban forest will be considered a requirement in populated areas and the ability to remove trees will become more difficult in the future

• Carbon Neutrality - Geobear is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and a recent independent study has shown that compared to traditional methods of treating subsidence to residential buildings, our innovative solution achieves a 35% reduction in carbon emissions.

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