Successfully stabilising a once subsiding house in Plettenberg Bay

Those who came first to Plettenberg Bay took the best spots. Back in 2010 when I was 30 years I thought what may go wrong with a property that has an everchanging view when I decided to purchase the property that was a heavenly 4 Star Bed and Breakfast and was planning to keep it for 20+ years or longer. Just a few years after one of Plett´s main attraction for guests was entirely washed away by a historic flood event: Lookout Beach.

For years I never documented the struggles that came with the house that has the best view in Plettenberg Bay. There may be even rumours that the house may collapse but it hasn´t and it doesn´t look like it will collapse after we succesfully stabilized it´s foundation in 2017.

2019 - Finally time for the garden. Start of the Food Forest Project to grow food for guests and staff and establish a more evenly moist northfacing slope below the house.

In 2017 Foundation stabilisation of the house with ground ankers into bed rock below the house.

July 2016 - Soil investigation with bore holes

2012 and 2014 Cosmetic repairs to the house to deal with cracks.

April 2010 - Purchase of the property.

I bought the house in April 2010. Not much later to find out that it had developed cracks. I was advised to do soil tests but there is not much to worry as it is a common in Plettenberg Bay for houses to have some sort of cracking, especially if they were built on clay soil and have been altered throughout the years.

2004 - The house was extended in size.