Coleraine · County Londonderry
Extension pulling away repairs in Coleraine
Rear and side extensions are common across Coleraine, and so is the crack where new meets old. Usually it reflects the two parts sitting on different foundations, and the first question is whether the gap is still opening.
Guide price from£530per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- BT52
- Population
- about 26,000
- Area
- County Londonderry
- Pricing region
- Northern Ireland
What should you know about the ground under Coleraine?
We cover Coleraine and its postcode districts BT52, part of County Londonderry, with a population of roughly 26,000. Nearby, we also cover Ballymoney (7 miles), Limavady (13 miles) and Ballymena (24 miles).
Shrinkable clay is less common in County Londonderry than in south-east England. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. Typical buildings in County Londonderry: Georgian and Victorian houses in Derry, brick terraces and post-war estates.
What to expect when we carry out extension pulling away repairs
Show us the junction
Send photos of the crack outside, the internal corner and any flashing above, with a measure for scale. We give a free initial assessment and an initial view on whether the gap is likely old or still opening.
Repair the junction
Drains are repaired first if they are leaking. The joint is then tied, formed as a movement joint or rebuilt after underpinning, with roof flashings reset so the junction stays watertight. Building control is handled where needed.
Finish and hand over
Internal corners are replastered, skirtings and coving refixed, and doors or windows in the extension eased where the movement affected them. Records of the repair and any approvals are passed to you.
Is it time for extension pulling away repairs? Common signs
- Patio doors or windows in the extension starting to bind
- A vertical crack or gap where the extension meets the house
- Extension roof flashing lifting off the original wall
What should you budget for extension pulling away repairs in Coleraine?
For Coleraine we use Northern Ireland rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Junction crack repair with stainless tiesest. | £530 – £1,750 | per junction |
| Movement joint and making goodest. | £350 – £1,050 | per junction |
| Underpinning the extension where needed | £880 – £2,200 | per metre of wall |
Repair options we may recommend
Movement joint and making good
Where some seasonal movement is expected to continue, the junction is formed into a proper flexible movement joint with a compressible filler and sealant, so the two parts can move without cracking. Flashings and internal finishes are detailed to suit.
Best for: Minor ongoing movement that does not threaten the structure
Underpinning the extension
If the extension is still dropping because its footings are too shallow or on poor ground, they are taken deeper by mass concrete, beam-and-base or mini-piles. The engineer designs the scheme, and the junction is repaired once the new foundation is in.
Best for: Active movement from shallow footings, roots or soft ground
Rules for extension pulling away repairs in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 apply and the council’s building control service approves structural work such as underpinning; minor like-for-like repairs usually need no approval. The Party Wall Act does not apply in Northern Ireland, so work to shared walls depends on deeds and agreement with neighbours.
Your extension pulling away repairs questions
How much will extension pulling away repairs cost in Coleraine?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Coleraine start from about £530 per junction, including VAT, on Northern Ireland rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Coleraine?
Yes, Coleraine is covered, along with postcode districts BT52. We also cover nearby Ballymoney and Limavady.
Is the ground in County Londonderry prone to subsidence?
County Londonderry has basalt, older hard rock and glacial deposits, with soft river ground along the Foyle and Bann. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Will my extension need underpinning?
Often not. Many separating extensions are fixed by repairing a drain, tying the junction or forming a movement joint. Underpinning is for extensions that keep dropping because their footings are too shallow or the ground beneath is poor, as shown by monitoring.
What is a movement joint?
A movement joint is a deliberate, flexible break in a wall that lets two parts of a building move slightly without cracking. It is filled with a compressible material and sealed. At an extension junction it can replace a rigid joint that keeps cracking.
Other structural repairs in Coleraine
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Resin injection ground stabilisation
- Structural crack repairs
- Lintel replacement
- Wall tie replacement
Extension pulling away repairs near Coleraine
Send photos of the extension junction at your Coleraine home, inside and out, and we will give a free initial assessment and a guide price.