Longfield · Kent
Extension pulling away repairs in Longfield
Rear and side extensions are common across Longfield, 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£670per junction inc VAT
- Postcodes
- DA3, DA4, DA13
- Population
- about 17,000
- Area
- Kent
- Pricing region
- South East
Is Kent prone to ground movement?
We cover Longfield and its postcode districts DA3, DA4, DA13, part of Kent, with a population of roughly 17,000. Nearby, we also cover Swanscombe (3 miles), Gravesend (4 miles) and Dartford (5 miles).
Shrinkable clay is widespread in Kent. Parts of Kent lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Across Kent, most homes are Victorian terraces in the Medway towns, weatherboarded and Wealden houses, 1930s semis and seaside bungalows.
Repair options we may recommend
Junction crack repair with stainless ties
The open joint is cut out, stainless ties or helical bars are fixed across it into both the old and new masonry, and the joint is repointed or rendered to match. Inside, the corner is replastered. This suits extensions that moved once and have since stopped.
Best for: Settled extensions with a stable gap at the junction
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
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
- Mastic or render at the joint repeatedly splitting open
- Daylight or draughts showing through the internal corner joint
- Patio doors or windows in the extension starting to bind
What should you budget for extension pulling away repairs in Longfield?
Prices in Longfield are worked out on South East rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Junction crack repair with stainless tiesest. | £670 – £2,250 | per junction |
| Movement joint and making goodest. | £450 – £1,350 | per junction |
| Underpinning the extension where needed | £1,100 – £2,800 | per metre of wall |
Rules for extension pulling away repairs in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Your extension pulling away repairs questions
How much will extension pulling away repairs cost in Longfield?
Guide prices for extension pulling away repairs in Longfield start from about £670 per junction, including VAT, on South East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Longfield?
Yes, Longfield is covered, along with postcode districts DA3, DA4, DA13. We also cover nearby Swanscombe and Gravesend.
Is the ground in Kent prone to subsidence?
North Kent sits on London Clay, central Kent on Gault and Weald Clays and the Downs on chalk, so shrinkable clay is widespread. East Kent around Deal and Dover had a small deep coalfield, worked until the late 1980s. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can I just fill the gap with mastic?
Mastic can keep water out short term, but it does not stop movement or reconnect the walls. If the gap reopens after filling, something is still moving. Photograph and measure it over a few months first, so an engineer can see the trend.
Who is responsible if a recent extension is moving?
If the extension is recent, the original builder, the designer or building control records may be relevant, and you may have rights against the builder. Gather the plans, completion certificate and contract. Insurance often excludes defects in new construction, so check your policy.
Other structural repairs in Longfield
- Brick arch repairs
- Underpinning
- Floor joist repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Mining subsidence repairs
Extension pulling away repairs near Longfield
Call about the cracked extension junction at your Longfield property; a free initial assessment first, then a fixed written price once the repair is specified.