When the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)—Australia’s national science agency and leading authority on foundation performance—discovered significant subsidence during renovations at their Black Mountain facility, they faced the same critical decision any homeowner would: which solution would restore stability with minimal disruption and deliver lasting results?
But unlike most homeowners, CSIRO had the scientific expertise to scrutinise every aspect of the repair—including the resin itself. That’s why they chose Buildfix. As the only installer in Australia that manufactures its own geopolymer resin in-house, we provided CSIRO with complete visibility into the chemical makeup, performance, and long-term reliability of our GeoPoly™ technology. The result? A controlled 40mm lift delivered with millimetre precision—without interrupting critical research operations.
It’s a resounding endorsement when Australia’s most respected scientific minds turn to Buildfix’s foundation repair method.
About CSIRO
Established in 1916, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is Australia’s leading national science agency. For over a century, CSIRO has driven groundbreaking research and innovation, tackling some of Australia’s most complex challenges across environmental science, health, engineering, and technology.
They’re also Australia’s foremost authority on foundation subsidence, shaping best practices in subsidence prevention and repair through decades of research. Their publications, including the widely referenced “FOUNDATION MAINTENANCE AND FOOTING PERFORMANCE Preventing soil-related building movement“, guide Australian homeowners on how soil conditions, reactive clays, and other factors contribute to building movement.
So, when building subsidence threatened the stability of critical research buildings at CSIRO’s Black Mountain site in Canberra, the scientists who literally wrote the book on foundation management work turned to Buildfix for a solution.
The Challenge
During renovations at the Black Mountain research facility, engineers discovered significant foundation subsidence that put the structural integrity of key buildings at risk. These were the challenges they faced:
- Internal concrete slabs had sunk by up to 40mm
- External building corners had dropped as much as 25mm
- Uneven floor surfaces were compromising the stability of scientific equipment
- Wall cracks and structural misalignments were developing
- Ongoing renovations were at risk of delay
- There wasn’t an endless budget for repair, so costs needed to be kept down
For CSIRO, addressing this subsidence issue required more than just a basic repair. As Australia’s leading authority on foundation maintenance, they knew they needed a cutting-edge solution that demonstrated precision, minimal disruption, and long-term reliability—ensuring the site’s stability without jeopardising important research activities.
Why Traditional Methods Weren’t Suitable
Traditional foundation repair approaches would not work for CSIRO:
- Concrete underpinning: A highly invasive process that would require extensive excavation, disrupting sensitive research operations.
- Slab replacement: This would mean the complete shutdown of the facility for weeks or months. Again, not an option for CSIRO.
- Temporary fixes: Without addressing the underlying soil stability issues, these problems would come up again and again…
The ideal solution needed to stabilise the foundation and precisely relevel the structure quickly and efficiently, using a method that aligned with CSIRO’s standards for innovation, quality, and scientific excellence.
Our Solution: Precision Foundation Repair
Buildfix implemented our proprietary GeoPoly™ resin technology, a state-of-the-art, non-invasive solution designed specifically for precise foundation repair in Australia’s harsh climate.
Our approach followed a systematic process:
- Comprehensive assessment: Our structural engineers precisely mapped the extent of subsidence throughout the facility using laser level technology, identifying optimal injection points to maximise effectiveness.
- External footing stabilisation: We drilled directly beneath the building’s footings to address any voids or weakness at their base, providing immediate structural support.
- DeepLift stabilisation: We strategically drilled for controlled GeoPoly™ injections, targeting areas with load-bearing soils, often reaching depths exceeding 2 metres to ensure long-term stability.
- Precision relevelling: Using laser monitoring equipment, we executed a controlled lift of:
- 22mm at the front corner of the building
- 10mm at the rear corners
- Up to 40mm for internal concrete slabs
The Results: Fast, Non-Invasive Foundation Repair
In just two days, Buildfix successfully resolved CSIRO’s complex subsidence issues, delivering remarkable results:
- Complete foundation stabilisation with no further movement detected
- Precise concrete slab relevelling to within 2mm tolerance
- Structural realignment of the building’s external walls
- Zero disruption to ongoing research activities
- Minimal invasion with only small injection points required
- Project timeline maintained with no delays to the renovation schedule
The techniques Buildfix used for CSIRO are equally effective in homes across Australia, where our non-invasive approach is particularly valuable for families who need quick, clean repairs with minimal disruption.
Why This Foundation Repair Matters for Your Home
If Australia’s leading scientists—experts in foundation performance—trusts Buildfix with their facilities, you can be confident in our approach to your home’s foundation issues.
The GeoPoly™ technology used at CSIRO provides the same benefits for residential properties:
- Permanent solutions: Addresses the root cause of foundation problems, not just symptoms
- Minimal disruption: No need to move out of your home during repairs
- Faster results: Most residential projects completed in just 1-2 days
- Precision control: Advanced monitoring techniques give precision to the millimetre
- Proven reliability: Backed by our 20-year warranty
Whether your home is showing minor wall cracks, door alignment issues, or significant floor unevenness, the same, cost-effective technology trusted by CSIRO can restore your property’s stability and value.
Advanced Foundation Repair—Trusted by Scientists
Noticed sunken concrete, wall cracks, or uneven floors? Book a FREE structural assessment with Buildfix, the team trusted by Australia’s top scientists.
From family homes to research facilities, we deliver precise, long-lasting foundation repairs with minimal disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does GeoPoly™ resin injection compare to traditional foundation repair methods?
GeoPoly™ resin injection is faster, less invasive, and more precise than traditional underpinning for both homes and commercial buildings. While concrete underpinning requires extensive excavation, disrupting your home life or business operations for weeks or months, GeoPoly™ can stabilise and relevel a foundation in as little as one day for homes and just a few days for larger commercial structures, all with minimal disturbance.
Is GeoPoly™ resin injection suitable for all types of foundation subsidence?
GeoPoly™ is effective for most foundation issues in both residential and commercial properties, particularly those involving soil compaction, reactive clay movement, erosion, or settlement. Our structural engineers assess each property individually to determine suitability and develop a customised solution based on your specific requirements and soil conditions, whether for a family home or a large facility like CSIRO.
How long does a foundation repair using GeoPoly™ typically take?
Most residential projects are completed within 1-2 days, while commercial projects typically take 1-5 days, depending on size and complexity. The CSIRO project was completed in just two days, despite requiring precision 40mm lifts throughout a large research facility. For the average home, the process is even more efficient, often allowing families to resume normal activities the same day.
Will my property need to be vacated during GeoPoly™ foundation repairs?
No. One of the key advantages of our GeoPoly™ process is that both homes and commercial buildings can remain operational throughout the repair. This minimal disruption approach is ideal for families who don’t want to relocate temporarily and for businesses where continuity is essential. You can continue living in your home or operating your business while we work.
What kind of warranty does Buildfix offer on foundation stabilisation?
Buildfix provides the same 20-year warranty on all foundation repairs using GeoPoly™ technology, whether for residential homes or commercial properties like CSIRO. This industry-leading guarantee covers both materials and workmanship, giving homeowners and property investors alike confidence in the long-term stability of their investment.
Can the same technology that fixed CSIRO’s foundation issues work on my home?
Absolutely. The GeoPoly™ technology that successfully stabilised CSIRO’s research facility is equally effective—often even more so—for residential properties. The precision control that allowed us to lift a scientific facility by 40mm makes it perfect for addressing common home issues like wall cracks, uneven floors, and door misalignments, often with even better results due to the lighter structural loads of residential buildings.
