Everything you need to know about finding an Underpinning Expert
Underpinning is the process of repairing and restoring the foundations of a house, ensuring they are stable. If your foundations are unstable you may become aware of doors and windows not opening properly or cracks in your walls appearing. Underpinning is a specialised task that is typically undertaken by experts in foundations,
excavation and
concretors. The most common remedy is to reinforce the existing structure by inserting concrete under the existing foundations.
This typically requires excavation adjacent to the foundations for access. The footings of the building must ultimately be supported by a strata that is not susceptible to movement. There are also other materials used, including injecting multi-component structural resin into the foundations - which can offer a more time efficient solution when compared to concrete.
Why Underpinning is Required
The most likely reasons for needing underpinning include:
- Poor construction methods on the existing structure
- A rise in the underlying water table
- High moisture content of the soil, i.e. clay soils
- Incomplete preparation of the soil before the existing foundations were laid
How Much Does Underpinning Cost?
There are a number of factors that will determine the final cost of an underpinning job. These include:
- Site access
- Cause and extent of the problem
- Type of foundations
- Volume of material required
- Underpinning method utilised
An underpinning expert will typically assess the scale of your problem and produce a quote based on the above factors.