Underpinning services are one of the main services offered by construction companies. The term underpinning entails the strengthening or changing of the foundation of an existing building.
Why Is Underpinning Required?
This kind of construction work is necessary when the foundation of the existing building is not strong enough to hold up the entire structure, and therefore it can be hazardous. Other reasons are subsidence, the usage of the structure has changed, the composure of the soil underneath has changed due to natural phenomenon and the construction of nearby structures affects the foundation of the existing one. Also, underpinning may be required in cases where there are other stores to be added on top or under the existent building and where the foundations need to be deeper.
What Is Subsidence and How Do You Prevent It?
When a structure is tilting downward or suddenly sinking with little or no horizontal motion, it is safe to say that subsidence is happening. This can be caused by either natural or human activities. If the houses in your area are prone to subsidence, then you need to be careful and carry out regular inspections of your property.
What Are the Signs That You Need Underpinning?
One of the most obvious signs is cracks on the wall or tiled surfaces in your house. There can also be evident gaps between brickwork and plasters, around windows and door frames, uneven floors and cracks on concrete slabs. Other than that, you might have difficulty opening and closing doors and windows.
How Much Does It Cost to Underpin a House?
This process can be lengthy and expensive based on the surface area that you need to work on and the extent of the damage. Even though it is often an unwanted expense, leaving the problem untreated may cause further damage and put the entire property at risk. Usually, for the sake of safety, investing a high amount now can save you in the long run.
How Long Does It Take to Underpin a House?
An underpinning job will usually take four to six weeks to be completed. In some cases, the time necessary to accomplish the work may be increased due to unexpected findings in the foundation of the house during the construction process.
Is Underpinning Covered by Insurance?
In most cases, yes. Especially when your house has been affected by subsidence, landslip, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters. However, the insurance covers the cost of the repair and not the cost of prevention of subsequent damage by the reasons stated above.