When an engineer designs a new structure, they will take into account the underlying terrain, geological conditions and the stress that the building itself will present to its foundations. They will make very careful calculations in line with industry standards and government regulations so that the builder can proceed with confidence. However, things can go wrong, and problems may arise even after the building is complete and occupation has been made. What options are available should any issues be encountered with the foundation at this time?
Foundational Issues
While planning or construction mistakes can arise and lead to foundational problems, issues can also develop due to circumstances beyond anyone's control. For example, the underlying soil between the structure can shift due to earthquake or subterranean moisture levels, and when this happens, a foundation may begin to sag as well.
Subtle Hints
Problems like this will rarely happen suddenly or dramatically but will likely be slow to materialise. Instead, a building occupier may begin to notice tiny cracks in a wall or find that a door or window will not open or close properly. In this case, the foundation may have shifted, and action will need to be taken as soon as possible.
Underpinning for Stability
Thankfully, specialist engineers can usually fix these matters by underpinning the slab and recreating some stability. It's involved work but can often be done while the building is still occupied, so it may not be as disruptive as you may imagine.
Installing Screw Piles
To underpin the foundation, the contractor may work with steel screw piles. These are heavy-duty hollow tubes fitted with helix attachments along the shaft. The team will fit a driving mechanism to an excavator or other machine and use powerful hydraulic motors to screw these piles into the ground at strategic intervals.
How Does This Work?
To stabilise the building, contractors will connect the top of each pile to the slab by pouring concrete into the screw pile and then running steel rebar between the pile and the concrete slab itself. This will then help spread the load down through the pile and into the surrounding rock surface, reintroducing stability to the building.
Seeking Help
If you've encountered issues that suggest that your slab may be subsiding, talk with contractors that specialise in underpinning. They may be able to introduce screw piles to rectify the situation and alleviate all your worries. Contact an underpinning service to learn more.
Share24 November 2021
When my husband and I bought our first house, we went out of our way to find a property that was suited to young professionals such as ourselves. So when my ageing mother had to move in with us last year, we instantly knew that the house was going to need some changes to accommodate her. We had both our kitchen and our bathroom remodeled, and we couldn't be happier with the results. We were surprised to find that with some careful planning and clever design, it was possible to create living spaces that worked great for me, my husband, and my mum. I hope you'll enjoy these posts about what I learned during the process.
