Building Movement Monitoring
Monitoring is a useful and cost effective method of confirming whether movement and cracking to buildings is progressive and, if so, the amount and nature of the movement provides useful evidence as to cause.
We are equipped with accurate digital callipers that are used to measure the distance between small metal studs fitted to the property. The movement of the studs reflects movement (opening or closing of cracks) in the structure of the building. Measurements are taken to small fractions of a millimetre and normally a six month period of monitoring, at two month intervals, is considered sufficient to establish whether movement is progressive or stable. In some cases this can avoid the expense of detailed investigations or provide proof that the building is not suffering from an ongoing problem. We can react quickly to undertake investigations of provide temporary support or repairs if the readings show significant movement during the monitoring period.
Readings are provided to the client together with graphs illustrating the movement. We provide a brief summary of the significance of the readings/movement shortly after the last set of measurements have been taken.
Accurate measurements being taken with digital callipers. Three small metal studs have been fitted with measurements taken in two directions across the crack and a third as a check measurement to confirm the correct setting and calibration of the equipment.
The typical cost of a six month monitoring period (four sets of readings) and including submission of results with our professional comments would be £150.