How Can I Prevent Foundation Problems In My Home?

To prevent foundation issues, you must ensure that your building’s foundation is free from excess moisture. Stormwater, tree roots, and soil conditions are other variables that must be managed with care.

To protect your home, it is important to prevent foundation problems before they start. We will explore the causes of these issues and some preventative measures you can take in this article.

What Destroys A Foundation?

There are three main reasons a foundation can become damaged or unstable: moisture, tree roots, and soil conditions. Ensure you have a good water management system to keep moisture away from your foundation. Plant trees at a safe distance from your home, and check on the ones that are already there. Be aware of the type of soil around your home. Underpinning Melbourne is one of the leading foundation repair companies in case you need further help.

6 Tips To Avoid Foundation Problems

These are the six things you should avoid to keep your foundations intact. These are:

If you want to avoid foundation problems you should consider::

1. Check Storm Water System

If your stormwater system leaks water around the foundation or is broken, water may pool around your foundation and seep in swelling and heaving. Ensure your storm water drains properly by carrying water away from your foundation, which can avoid any costly repairs down the road.

2. Replace Damaged Gutters And Downpipes

Remember to check your gutters and downpipes very often, as they affect the amount of water pressure around your foundation. If they are in poor condition, it can lead to the foundation collapsing or shifting. In case they are not working properly, repair or replace them immediately.

3. Beware Of Tree Roots

Tree roots might go quite deep into the ground while unseen. For this reason, it might suck away the moisture without you even noticing. We recommend checking the problem and taking necessary action.

4. Don’t Plant Trees Near Building

It’s a good idea to keep your larger plants, like bushes or shrubs, in your flower beds. The gap between the foundation and the plants should be at least two feet. So, they will be where they belong- away from the foundation.

5. Monitor Cracks In Home

Always check your foundation and keep an eye on your walls and flooring. If you notice any cracks, get expert help as soon as possible. This is the best opportunity to correct the damage and prevent further foundation movement. The earlier you detect foundation problems, the easier they are to fix. You already have a significant issue if you see large fractures or wall bowing in your home.

Keep an eye on your property to see whether there are cracks in the foundation, walls, and floors. If you find any, it’s time for an expert’s help. It will save you time and money when cracks are found at an earlier stage. When you see large fractures and wall bowing in your home, it’s a serious issue and needs immediate work.

6. Consult A Professional

It is recommended to inspect your foundation with an expert who can assess the condition of your problem. They can tell you if your foundation is unharmed and provide a few clues for the best preventive measures specific to your area.

Underpinning can be dangerous if not done by professionals. It’s not a project that you can DIY. Check out the possible damage by visiting our blog can you DIY underpinning.

You may prevent the hassle of a damaged foundation by regularly monitoring your home, yard, and basement.

Is It Possible To  Underpin A House Yourself?

Unless you’re a trained foundation repair professional having the right tools and experience, you shouldn’t try to underpin your house yourself.

In this article, we will discuss the possible risks of DIY underpinning and how to avoid them.

Is DIY Underpinning A House Possible?

DIY Underpinning is only possible if you’re experienced, have proper skills, and have industry knowledge. If you’re lacking any of the mentioned, we highly recommend not underpinning your house yourself.

Only an expert with the right abilities and industry knowledge can underpin a house. Not having the required tools, skills, and experience is too risky for you and your property. We strongly advise you not to underpin a house yourself without lacking the aforementioned.

With the right skills and know-how, you can try DIY underpinning. But even then, it’s best to consult an engineer and follow their installation requirements and processes. 

What Are The Risks Of Underpinning A House Yourself?

The risks of DIY underpinning are –

– You could damage your property beyond repair if you don’t know what you’re doing.

– You could injure or even kill yourself in the process.

– It will void your insurance coverage if you do it yourself.

– You may not comply with the building code, which could lead to legal problems.

Knowing how to prevent foundation issues is just as important as knowing how to repair them. You’re better off spending time rectifying other issues causing the need for underpinning and leaving the repairs to professionals.

Should I Choose A Professional Underpinning Contractor?

Underpinning projects are complex and dangerous, so it’s wise to choose a professional underpinning contractor with relevant experience.

These are the top reasons to choose a professional underpinning contractor:

– They have the technical knowledge and experience to handle any complex job.

– They use the right tools and equipment.

– They follow industry best practices.

– They provide a guarantee of their work.

– They are insured and licensed.

Before you decide to underpin, you should be sure whether it’s time for an underpinning service. Check out our blog does my house need underpinning to know the details.

Underpinning is Complex

Underpinning is a complex process that includes digging several feet deep below the home’s footing. In some cases concrete piers or screwpiles are installed to bear the load of the structure. This procedure must be done under expert supervision to minimise damage to the house’s construction.

Underpinning Is Dangerous

If not done properly following the industry standards, it can be dangerous. That includes:

– Collapse of the house

– Soil erosion

– Damage to the surrounding property

– Injury or death of people

– Overcorrecting relevel can lead to further cracks in the walls, doors, and windows.

Experience is Required

An underpinning project must be completed by a professional underpinning contractor with extensive expertise. Every job is unique, and without relevant expertise, you will end up costing more than planned.

Warranty On Underpinning

Most of the underpinning contractors of Melbourne offer at least 10 years of warranty for their workmanship. So, you are pretty much covered by the warranty if any issues arise.

Underpinning a house is a complex and dangerous process that a professional contractor should only do. Choosing the right contractor can avoid many of the risks associated with DIY underpinning.

How Can I Tell If My Home Needs Underpinning?

A common way to tell if your house needs underpinning is if you find cracks in the walls and cornices, Step cracks in external and internal walls, the floors are not level and you have experienced problems closing and opening windows and doors. There are other reasons that should be discussed with a professional.

In this article, we will discuss the signs to check whether your property may need underpinning and what to look for. Always consult a professional like our team at Melbourne Underpinning Group

What Is Subsidence?

Subsidence refers to the downward shifting of the ground that weakens the foundation. Different areas have different soil characteristics. Areas that have clay-limestone soils are usually unstable for foundations.

What Are The Signs A House needs Underpinning?

Cracking on internal and external walls is the most significant sign of subsidence. You also have an eye on the following types of cracking:

  • Cracks that are spread across the wall like steps
  • Cracks are showing on both the inside and outside of the brick walls.
  • You found cracks at the corner of the doors and windows
  • The diameter of the crack is above 3mm
  • Cracks are in the joints and extension

One or two random cracks in the wall don’t always indicate a subsidence issue. Temperature fluctuations for a long time can also cause cracks that have no relation with subsidence.

Check whether you notice most of the signs in Melbourne. If yes, then you should contact a team like Melbourne Underpinning Group. If you don’t fix the problem at the earlier stage, it can lead to a bigger and more complex problem.

Is It Ok To Buy A House That Has Been Underpinned?

It’s completely ok to buy a previously underpinned house completed by a certified, licensed contractor in your area. Otherwise, it’s not recommended because of causing further damage and risk to your house and family. You should remember it’s not a project that you can DIY. There are potential risks if you do it yourself. Check our blog can you DIY underpinning for more details.

Do I Need A Permit For Underpinning In Melbourne?

Yes, every state requires a permit to underpin, including Melbourne. However, a permit is not required in a few cases, for example, underpinning an internal wall. But, you should better discuss it with your contractor. Your contractor will organise a soil test and engineering to apply for the permit.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Underpinning?

The disadvantages of Underpinning are –

  • It is an expensive process.
  • The process is quite disruptive and can cause a lot of noise and mess
  • There is a risk of damaging surrounding properties
  • The process can take a long time to complete

What Are The Advantages Of Underpinning?

The advantages of underpinning are –

  • It can stabilise a house that is starting to sink or has subsidence.
  • It can stop a house from sinking any further.
  • It can raise a sunken floor back to level.
  • It can be used to reinforce a foundation that is weak or has cracks.

Is Resin Injection As Good As Underpinning?

No, resin injection is not as good as traditional concrete underpinning. It’s more expensive, takes longer to complete, inaccurate, and can fail at any time.

Can Underpinning fail?

Yes, underpinning can fail only when it’s not done properly. How long an underpinning last depends on the expertise of the contractor. So, choose your contractor properly.

Also, if the soil condition and other factors change, underpinning can fail too. For example, if you did underpinning because of a licking pipe that causes subsidence, you still can have problems from tree roots growing under the foundation and causing further damage.

To know more detail about when do you need to underpin, check out our blog here.

Underpinning is a complex process but can effectively stabilise a sinking or subsiding house. There are several signs that can indicate whether or not your house needs underpinning. If you notice any of the signs, it is best to contact an authorized foundation repair contractor for further evaluation. So, choosing a qualified and experienced contractor is important to ensure the job is done correctly.

What Is Underpinning And When Is It Needed?

Underpinning is a foundation repairs method for an existing building’s foundation. Slab or strip footings are extended to reach a deeper, more stable ground to stop and stabilise any foundation movement.

If you’re unsure about what underpinning is, how it’s used, or the types of foundation and footing available to support your building project, then this article is for you.

When is underpinning needed?

Underpinning is required when a structure’s foundation is damaged or additional structural support is required. If you need to add a new story and the footing can’t take that load, then underpinning can reinforce the building’s foundation.

You need to underpin your home if:

  • The soil underneath the foundation is reactive, and you feel movement
  • The backfill of the foundation is not as compacted as required
  • Poor drainage system around your home
  • Cracks on the wall and floors
  • Doors and windows are not closing anymore
  • If you need to extend your foundation to add an extra floor

Make sure whether or not all or most of these are happening in your house. Then you need any local contractors who work on foundation repairs.

Types of building foundations and footings

The different types of building foundations and footings are –

Slab on Ground

This is the most commonly used foundation method. In this process, concrete slabs are placed directly on the ground to make a solid foundation. The soil beneath the slab must be compacted properly. Otherwise, the soil may settle with time and cause the foundation to fracture or collapse.

Suspended Floors

Unlike a ground-based one, a suspended floor is not laid on the ground. Stumps or piers are attached with it to the ground.

Continuous footings

Continuous footings are support structures that distribute the building’s load evenly. They are either strips or slabs. This method is used for the walls to support that is built on sloppy ground.

Pad footings

Pad footings system is used to distribute the extra load of the foundation evenly. They function by spreading the weight over a larger area, which prevents settling and helps to keep the structure stable.

Stumps

Stumps are concrete pools used to support a home’s subfloor connected to the ground. They can be made of timber, steel and concrete.

Piles

Piles are made from reinforced steel or concrete driven into the ground to strengthen the foundation to bear the building’s weight. It helps to build structures on muddy soils that are usually not suitable for building any structure. Piles are used with either a pad footing or a strip footing.

Piers

Piers are tall, thick posts that hold up a building’s beams. They can be made from either steel or concrete. After the piers are set on the excavated holes, concrete is poured, so they can’t move.

If you want to learn more about underpinning, we have a detailed blog discussing, “does my home require underpinning?

So, if you are experiencing settlement issues with your home, it is important to get it assessed and determine the underlying cause. If underpinning is required, contact a local contractor specialising in this repair.

Not sure which unpinning method is right for your home? The best thing to do is contact a foundation repair contractor. They will inspect your house’s surroundings, foundation, and footing to determine the problem. After that, they’ll tell you what needs to be done and estimate the cost and time. We’ve written a blog about the cost of underpinning so you can get an idea of what they are.

How Much Does It Cost To Underpin A House In Melbourne?

The cost to underpin a house in Melbourne is between $5,000 to $40,000. The total cost is affected by the severity of the damage and how much work needs to be completed. Larger projects which involve a significant amount of underpinning can cost up to $80,000.

In this post, we’ll look at the cost of underpinning a home in Melbourne. We’ll discuss the various underpinning techniques and how they may influence pricing.

What is Underpinning?

Underpinning is a repair process that aims to repair or strengthen the load-bearing capacity of a house’s foundation. 

This is usually done when the original foundation is no longer stable or strong enough to support the weight of the house or structure. Underpinning is also used when additional height is added to a building.

The underpinning process strengthens the foundation of a building by increasing its load-bearing capacity. Usually, piers or pins and other means are used to add extra support to the damaged foundation. Underpinning is essential when the existing foundation loses its strength to bear the load of the house or structure.

What are the different underpinning methods?

The two most traditional and commonly used methods for underpinning a house are Concrete Slab Underpinning and Screwpile Underpinning. Both have distinct advantages and disadvantages and are used in different cases.

Concrete Slab Underpinning

Concrete slab underpinning is the most commonly used foundation underpinning in Melbourne. It involves digging deep into the ground and pouring concrete footing to support the foundation. The technique is quick and safe for your home. However, it isn’t suitable for all types of foundations.

Screwpile underpinning

Screwpile underpinning is the process of repairing a building’s foundation using long steel screws driven deep into the ground to support the building. Screwpiles need to go deep into the soil until it reaches a stronger sub ground. Once it reaches the required depth, concrete is poured to secure the perimeter.

What Should You be Looking for in an Underpinning Quote?

Check your underpinning quote that matches any of these methods: 

Fixed Price Quote

Always request a fixed-price quote when inquiring about an underpinning job. This means that the company cannot change the quoted price later on. Make sure that all the required tasks are included in the quote.

Transparent quote

Underpinning quotes should be straightforward. The price should be all-inclusive, with no hidden costs or extras. The company should also be able to provide a detailed explanation of the underpinning process and what is included in the quote.

Fixed time / fixed schedule:

Ensure the contractor you hire provides you with a fixed time or work schedule that includes all the required tasks and a detailed outline of each stage with the total amount and time.

So, there you have it. The cost of underpinning your home can vary greatly depending on the method used and the extent of the damage. In it, we break down each underpinning method so you can make an informed decision based on your budget. We also provide tips on how to prepare for this major renovation project. Always use a licensed contractor to be safe and sound.

If you still have questions about what is underpinning, check out our other blog here.

6 Things You Should Consider Before Hiring An Underpinning Contractor

resin injection underpinning

Underpinning services typically include engineering fees and other miscellaneous costs. Nonetheless, there are some instances in which you may incur additional costs. To avoid being overcharged, you can request that your contractor adheres to a set schedule. Discuss how you want to proceed with the project with your contractor and be transparent about your budget and expectations.

Agree on a specific timeline and total cost for the project, seek clarification, and address any concerns you may have about the project. There should be a set price for an underpinning service that includes all costs, including soil tests, engineering reports, and site inspections. All work and materials should also be included in the price.

Contact at least two or three foundation companies and ask for a free evaluation, information, and a price quote so that you can compare prices and services.

Question 1: Do I require the services of a structural engineer?

Any underpinning project requires an expert assessment by a structural engineer. Apart from providing professional advice, an engineer’s report is required to obtain the necessary permit to proceed. Because the majority of structural restoration contractors include a structural engineer as part of their underpinning service package, you are not required to obtain a separate assessment. You can contact a contractor directly, and they will prepare everything for you.

Question 2: Are there any other possibilities?

Underpinning can be a time-consuming and costly process. If your home requires underpinning and you and your family are not yet prepared, you may wish to consider the resin injection underpinning technique. Resin injection can compact loose soil and level a structure. Additionally, it is faster than other methods of underpinning. Nonetheless, the design and conditions of a structural engineer are required.

Question 3: Will underpinning provide a long-term solution?

Depending on the soil type beneath your property and the type of underpinning method used, you can determine whether or not your foundation problems can be permanently resolved. Experts in foundation underpinning give honest advice about which method is best for your home.

Question 4: Can I self-underpin a house?

Even if you work in the construction industry or have a working knowledge of the subject, it is best to leave the task to professional builders. Underpinning is a complicated process, and while resources and do-it-yourself instructions are readily available on the internet, attempting it on your own can jeopardise the integrity of your home structure.

Experts strongly suggest that you hire a well-known building and underpinning expert who has a lot of experience to make sure that the work will be done correctly and that it will be done well.

Question 5: What is the underpinning?

Underpinning is a lengthy process that typically takes around four weeks, depending on the extent of the damage. Following the assessment, preparation of reports, and other work, your builder will either use machinery or dig holes beneath the existing foundation and fill them with concrete. They will then replace or reinforce existing structures as necessary.

Question 6: During underpinning, is it necessary for me to move out of the house?

Generally, underpinning repairs and the associated work is not disruptive. However, it can be inconvenient. Consult your builders regarding their preferred course of action. Some builders may ask you to move out of your home while the work is being done.

Conclusion

Underpinning your property to ensure its safety and structural integrity is an investment, but one that is well worth it. One way to save money is to only work with a reputable and skilled structural restoration contractor.

Concrete Underpinning Vs. Resin Injection: Differences And Benefits

For as long as mankind can remember, concrete underpinning was the only way to support a property’s foundation. This scenario changed around three decades ago with the introduction of resin injection underpinning.

It has grown in popularity throughout the world and is preferred by many over the more conventional option. Which option, then, should you choose? The answer is resin injection underpinning, and here’s why.

Differences between Concrete and Resin Injection

Concrete Underpinning

Concrete underpinning has a long and functional history, which is what the majority of people look for when deciding on foundation strengthening methods.

Additionally, there are two types:

  • One involves filling the area beneath the foundation with concrete until it reverts to its original level.
  • Another way is to drive concrete nails or pilings into the ground and attach them to the foundation below the ground to keep it in place.

The most frequently used type of concrete underpinning is for small projects. Even though it is a tried and true technique, it has a slew of disadvantages, including being slow, labor-intensive, and an all-around messy process.

Resin Injection Underpinning

While it is a much more recent and contemporary method, particularly in comparison to concrete underpinning, it has largely demonstrated its utility and practicality. Some people also use the resin injection method to make resin driveways and to make their backyards stronger.

The resin injection method entails drilling small holes and openings into the ground beneath the foundation and injecting an eco-friendly resin material into them. The resin expands beneath the foundation, repositioning the foundation in its proper position. As more resin is filled in, the property gradually improves.

However, if a large gap beneath the property needs to be filled, resin injection may not be the most cost-effective method. However, resin injection underpinning has many advantages over concrete underpinning, some of which are shown below.

The Benefits of Resin Injection

  • It’s a Quick and Efficient Procedure

Pouring concrete to reinforce the foundation and waiting for it to cure takes some time. Contractors will need to dig through areas surrounding the foundation, clear them, and then add supports to ensure that they remain in place throughout the process. With resin injections, workers only need to make small holes in the foundation and then fill them with resin.

  • There will be no mess to clean up afterward

The extensive excavation required to fill concrete using the traditional method typically results in a massive mess that must be cleaned up afterward. Even though the majority of contractors will take care of the cleaning, it will be obvious that significant structural changes have occurred in the area. Additionally, in some instances, you may be required to learn how to clean up the concrete mess around the job site and make some preparations.

  • It Doesn’t Require You to Evacuate

Since concrete underpinning entails extensive construction and digging beneath the property to reinforce its foundation, homeowners must evacuate and relocate until the process is completed.

Conclusion

Not only that, but the large machinery disrupts the neighbor’s daily routine and generates a great deal of noise. On the other hand, resin injection does not need to be evacuated, and it usually takes a day or two to do.

Why use resin injection underpinning for your foundation?

If the foundations of your building sink or crack, it can be a serious problem with the potential to cause major damage, with expensive repair costs and even more left over.

When looking for a solution, you can, of course, consider traditional ways of supporting concrete. But the truth is that it will not work in many scenarios, especially if there are reactive waters or clay soils. Even many commonly used chemical stabilization methods offered by other companies are not designed to solve the problem in such situations. Melbourne Underpinning Group understands this and, using decades of experience in the construction sector, has created a revolutionary system that delivers resin injection underpinning to your building. In this way, the work is done for the first time and in a cost-effective way.

This approach will effectively increase your foundation and give you the strength you can rely on, leveling and reshaping the entire structure. Using the traditional reinforcement method can also be time-consuming and disruptive. You may also have to move for a long time while the work is being done, which will expose you financially, making things even bigger. However, with the Melbourne Underpinning Group approach, the process is relatively fast, which means that congestion, is limited for residents.

Choosing a foundation Company

Get offers from different suppliers and compare them with our underpinning services in Melbourne. Tenders should be detailed and explain what is included, what is not included, and the cost of each service. We demonstrate the costs of removing and replacing concrete slabs, post-work pipeline inspections, and technical inspection services during construction, and labour compensation.

If it’s difficult for you to compare offers, ask anyone who has recently worked for a foundation company for advice. Questions like:

  • Are they friendly and considerate?
  • Have you experienced unexpected cost differences?
  • Did the contractor actually do the work as promised?
  • Did the contractor fail to clean up any clutter that occurred during the work?

At Melbourne Underpinning Group, we provide state-of-the-art foundation repairs and services to commercial and residential neighborhoods to provide informed solutions on a consistent basis. We combine our years of knowledge and expertise and use the latest techniques and equipment to provide quality foundation repairs and support solutions, stopping all kinds of foundation problems in their tracks at a very effective price.

Our Resin injection underpinning services

Resin injection underpinning is a form of trenchless rehabilitation that we offer to all our clients. The process involves the pressure injection of resin into cracks, holes in concrete or other defects as part of a chip-free rehabilitation effort.

Resins are used to fill these holes to make them stronger and more waterproof. We produce injection resins for all our clients because they are so effective in repairing many different types of problems in pipelines, underground tunnels, and more. The resin mixes with water and makes a liquid that can be pressurized and injected into the ground.

Get that satisfying feeling

A resin injection underpinning is a great choice if your property is damaged by flooding, dry or outdated pipes. This method of rehabilitation without canals is fast, cheap, and leaves no problems. Contact us today and let us help you start your project immediately. You should always contact our team before embarking on any type of home improvement project, such as a resin injection, as it is not suitable for all properties depending on the type of damage and severity.

Tips For Hiring The Best Home Underpinning experts

Are you in dire need of the foundation of your home to be repaired? If so, you need to make sure you only hire the best house-underpinning experts in the area. These tips will help you make sure you’re hiring the right people and also tell you what all things make Melbourne Underpinning Group expert in this industry. Continue reading for more tips to help you choose the underpinning experts to hire.

Experience

Experience is important when searching for the right house underpinning experts. It’s because your foundation is the most important part of your home. You need someone who can fix any problem. Ask them when and how many homes they’ve worked on. And what type of work was done? Knowing more about their past work can help you feel more confident in your ability to get the job done correctly, which will cover any potential issues. Melbourne Underpinning Group has been serving for years and has established a name in this industry. Now our vision is to use that vast experience and knowledge to give you a long lasting foundation.

Recommendations

Recommendations are also important when you’re looking for house underpinning experts to assign them work. It would be a good idea to ask family members and friends for their recommendations on who they would recommend for you to hire. It is a smart idea to look online to find out what other people think about the expert you are considering hiring. It is important to do your research so that you can make the best decision for your home and all of its needs. Melbourne Underpinning Group is one of the most trusted underpinning experts in Melbourne. We have earned trust throughout the years with our honest work.

Quotes

Before you hire anyone, make sure to get estimates from several house underpinners. This is especially important if your budget is limited and you want to see exactly what their prices include. Ask them for a detailed quote that includes the cost of all materials, labor, and rental equipment. It is important to let them know that you are looking for other estimates. Ask them if they will match any lower prices.

It can be hard to choose one of the many house sub-contractors that you want to hire. But knowing the criteria and factors can make it easier. You should ensure that you understand the estimates and what is included. You should trust a professional. These, along with recommendations and reviews, are crucial to make the right decision. The best underpinners in Melbourne are here for your repairs and renovations.

Hire our professionals?

If you are looking for a foundational solution for your Melbourne property, our professionals will help you find the best one. It is a wise decision to hire a skilled underpinning service provider. They will listen to what you need, evaluate the site, and recommend a cost-effective solution that meets your budget. Contact our Melbourne Underpinning Group if you need an experienced contractor. We will ensure that you and your neighboring properties do not suffer from our solutions. Melbourne residents can contact us if they have any concerns about commercial land residential underpinning.

How Does Underpinning Work?

“Underpinning” refers to the process of strengthening an existing foundation to increase load-bearing capacities. It is often used to restore old buildings, pop-top renovations (add a new floor to a home), and condo conversion (subdividing the property into multiple units which require additional load-bearing – such as multiple bathrooms or kitchens). You should consider underpinning if there are cracks in the foundation or plans for a taller structure.

An underpinning procedure is used for building and finishing a basement within the existing building. Underpinning involves the deepening of an existing foundation (resting upon poor strata) and putting it on deeper soil strata with higher bearing capacities. It is a method to strengthen a solid foundation.

This method which is traditional is mass concrete underpinning. This technique involves digging a section below the foundation of a building in controlled stages. At the depth where suitable bearing strata. This method is suitable for shallow depth underpinning and is very cost-effective.

 A foundation underpinning is a process to increase strength and structural integrity . An expert can place an underpinning structure underneath your home. This will give your foundation additional stability.

Image is of an underpinning in Adelaide by our team Adelaide Underpinning Group

Many cases of concrete underpinning involve unstable or defective foundations. Such foundations are usually caused by the age or changes in the ground around or below the existing structure.

Underpinning will also be required in the renovation and rehabilitation industry, as investors are planning to add more floors to the property. The foundation must support additional weight if you plan on adding a third or fourth floor to a two-story property. This is possible because the foundation and above-ground structures are protected by the underpinning process.

There are many ways to underpin. How ever, not all methods require structural engineers.

The “pit method”, which is also known by the name of concrete underpinning and has been used for over a century, is the most common. This method employs hand-dug holes that are placed 8-12 feet apart under the existing foundation and then filled with concrete. This method is very popular due to its simplicity of engineering and low-cost labor.

Beam and foundation underpinning (also known as beam and base) is a more complicated method. It involves embedding a concrete beam made from cast concrete. The beam is reinforced which extends to concrete piles beneath the beam. This spreads the load-bearing strain across multiple points.

Why Underpinning is Important?

Underpinning can be important when the foundation of a property has been compromised and is no longer able to bear an additional load. Underpinning is used in both these cases to repair the damage and maintain the property’s structural integrity. Without underpinning, the structure could quickly collapse, causing more damage than underpinning.

No matter if your foundation is damaged from earthquakes or erosion, or if you just want to increase the property’s weight, it is important to have an experienced structural engineer consult you before underpinning. Make sure you choose a contractor who has worked with underpinning. We can provide you with financing as well as guidance during your renovation project.