Structural terms

Settlement

Settlement is downward movement of a building or part of it as the ground or supporting structure adjusts under load. It may be historical or ongoing.

Some settlement occurs after construction and then stabilises. In older Edinburgh buildings, floors that slope or old cracks may reflect movement from a much earlier period; appearance alone cannot tell whether movement is still active.

The pattern, width and timing of cracks, along with ground conditions and the building’s history, help establish what is happening. Movement may also have causes other than settlement.

Before changing a wall or covering cracks during a renovation, investigate any signs of active or unexplained movement. Subsidence is a more specific term commonly used for downward movement resulting from a loss of support in the ground.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Georgian Flat Converted Flat

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