Overview

Collaborating with local contractors, Mainmark Ireland was commissioned to help stabilise and repair an old, terraced property in a northern part of Dublin. Due to the nature of the ground they were built upon, this property was one of many which suffered from subsidence.

The location necessitated a nimble, efficient solution. This, combined with the need to conduct repairs within a tight deadline, meant that Teretek® resin injection was the ideal solution for the project.

The problem

Many older properties across Dublin were originally built with clay drainage pipes, which are prone to cracking, leaking, and displacement over time. As these pipes deteriorate, they allow water to escape into the surrounding soil, softening and washing away fine particles. This gradual loss of ground support can lead to localised voiding beneath foundations, ultimately contributing to subsidence and uneven settlement in older buildings.

Darren Gorman, Contracts Manager of Noel Conway Construction was contracted by the homeowners’ insurers to repair damage caused by leaking local drainage. The built-up moisture had caused ground movement resulting in substantial damage throughout the property.

After repairing the drainpipes, ground stabilisation was required to ensure safety in the long term for the property.

The solution

Once it was established that ground repairs beyond replacing drainage pipes were needed, the engineering team reached out to Mainmark. Noel Conway Construction has worked with Mainmark for a number of years, seeing the team as an extension of the business. Following initial surveys, it was clear that a resin solution would be best suited to achieve the required repair.

Teretek® resin injection would enable repairs to be undertaken within a matter of days. The overall repair lead time was limited to weeks, and so a traditional concrete underpinning would have only doubled the amount of time needed. Resin would allow for groundworks to be completed within days.

Requiring only a small, agile team to complete the works, Mainmark’s engineers could arrive on site and complete the works whilst other repairs were underway, thus minimising disruption.

Key steps include:

1. Preparation: following a site survey, the team would arrive to the property and strategically drill in-fill tubes into the foundations.

2. Pre-work tests: multiple dynamic cone penetration tests would be run throughout the building, inside and out, to determine depths and soil substrata.

3. Resin injection: using precise laser measuring tools to measure lift, engineers would inject the resin into the ground, working their way around the property. Upon completion, each pipe is cut to allow for flooring to be re-laid.

Challenges

As with many dense urban environments, sufficient access was critical. The location of the property was on a narrow residential street, with very limited on-street parking. Despite only needing a single truck which housed all the resin and equipment, access would still be difficult.

Despite a crowded street, Mainmark were still able to set up and proceed with repairs without delay. Should the project have used traditional underpinning, then noise and space would’ve proved extremely difficult on the residential street.

The result:

Fast, efficient, and effective. The works were completed over the course of two days, ahead of schedule. The team was able to arrive earlier than expected to conduct initial prep works, which meant the repairs were carried out a day ahead of schedule. This allowed the team at Noel Conway Construction to continue, unobstructed, in preparing the property for the homeowner.

Client testimonial:

“We find working with Mainmark really easy. We have been working with them a number of years. From the second they’re on site, they automatically become a part of our team; the guys all know each other and know what need to be done. Our guys know what we need to have ready, and we all get stuck in. Because of that, we get the repairs done quicker which benefits us and Mainmark.”

Darren Gorman, Contracts Manager, Noel Conway Construction

Conclusion

This project demonstrated how a modern approach can deliver rapid, lasting results in challenging urban conditions. The collaboration between Mainmark and Noel Conway Construction ensured that repairs were completed ahead of schedule, with minimal disruption to residents.

This project highlights how resin injection technology is transforming the way ground repairs are managed in Ireland’s older housing stock, offering homeowners and contractors a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable alternative to traditional underpinning.

Services used:

• Teretek® resin injection

• Ground stabilisation

For more information on how Mainmark Ireland can help repair and improve ground conditions for your project, get in touch now.