Reactive Clay Shrinkage Fixed with a 25mm Foundation Lift
- Murrumbateman, Near Yass, NSW
The Brief
After inheriting his late mother’s rural family home in Murrumbateman, the owner faced a difficult decision. Eager to honour the property’s legacy but needing to move forward, he decided to put it up for sale. However, significant structural issues—cracks in the walls and unsettling movement—threatened to scare off potential buyers and impact the home’s value at auction. Determined to secure the best outcome, he turned to Buildfix for a permanent and effective solution.
The Challenge
Our assessment revealed that the reactive clay soil beneath the home had dried and shrunk over time, as surrounding trees absorbed moisture. This had caused the foundation to sink unevenly, leading to severe subsidence. Cracks ran vertically, horizontally, and diagonally across the walls, with sections rotating outward—a structural hazard and a red flag for future buyers.
Local builders suggested demolishing and rebuilding sections of the home—a costly, disruptive, and time-consuming solution. The owner needed a faster, less invasive approach to relevel the foundation, close the cracks, realign the walls, and ensure a permanent repair to protect the home’s value and provide peace of mind for potential buyers.

Our Solution
To meet the owner’s high expectations, we provided a solution that stabilised the foundation, reversed the clay movement, and guided the walls back to their original positions. We applied our advanced GeoPoly™ GER60 ground engineering resin in combination with our deep-lift technique. This method not only stabilised the reactive clay soil but also raised the sunken walls with precision.
Given the extent of the wall’s outward rotation, we simultaneously applied lateral force during the lift to carefully realign the walls. This ensured that the structure was fully stabilised and the cracks were closed, delivering a seamless and lasting repair.

The Outcome
In just one day, the foundation was stabilised, the cracks were fully closed, and the walls were realigned to their original positions, with the most affected wall raised by an impressive 25mm. The lateral adjustments brought the rotated wall back into alignment, restoring the home’s structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
The owner was overwhelmed with relief to see his family home restored to its former glory. With the foundation secure and the walls straightened, the property was now ready for the upcoming autumn auction. Buildfix’s precise and permanent solution not only resolved the subsidence but also ensured the home’s value and legacy were preserved for years to come.
