You may have noticed that the floor of an old house tilts a little bit. The unsettling sensation could be more serious than a charm of old age. It may indicate foundation issues. Safety is the main reason to fix these issues. We’ll dig deeper (pun not intended) to find some solutions for those fundamental hiccups – read this?
Let’s first talk about the foundation. Like giving your house new shoes that perfectly fit. The traditional underpinning method involves extending the depth of your foundation to reach a more stable layer of rock or soil. Imagine adding legs to an unstable table. This will stabilize everything above.
What happens if you can’t use the old methods? Enter micro-piling. These are like tiny, but powerful warriors that are drilled deeply into the earth to support the building. The compact size makes them perfect for small spaces, where heavy machinery is not allowed. This makes them ideal for urban environments.
This method sounds like it’s from a sci-fi film, but is actually very effective. This method involves the injection of a high density resin underneath the foundation to lift and fill sagging areas. Imagine blowing up an air balloon beneath your house to make it level again. Except this balloon is made of concrete.
We’ll now move onto some methods that are less conventional. Have you ever heard of soil freezing before? This isn’t just about preserving food! By freezing the soil around your foundation you can create temporary stabilization while permanent repairs are being made. The foundation will glide smoothly as you work beneath.
These methods are not without their challenges. Underpinning is a laborious and time-consuming process that can disrupt daily life. Although micro-piling sounds great, it can be expensive due to the equipment and expertise required.
Don’t do this at home, unless you are Bob Vila reincarnated. This is where hiring professionals who are experts in their field is essential. They’ll evaluate your particular situation and suggest the best possible solution, because let’s face facts, every house is unique.
Remember Aunt Sally trying to fix her leaky roofing with duct tap? When it comes to foundations, you don’t want to be Aunt Sally. Although quick fixes can be tempting, they may lead to more problems down the line.
Consider preventative measures. Water is the silent cause of many foundation issues. Drainage systems divert water from your foundation, preventing erosion. It’s like giving your house a sturdy umbrella in a downpour.
Regular inspections is another important part of the puzzle. Like you wouldn’t miss your annual checkup with your doctor, structural engineers will perform periodic checks to detect small problems before they turn into bigger ones.
Anecdote of the day: I once met someone who ignored minor cracks within their basement walls, until one morning they woke to find that their piano was shifted by several inches over night! The moral? The moral of the story?
Finally, although it may seem obvious, be sure to keep an eye on the trees that are near your house. The roots of trees can slowly undermine the foundations. It is sometimes necessary to remove or trim problematic trees in order to maintain stability.
You now have an array of options for resolving foundation issues, starting from the bottom up. You can use these techniques to combat gravity’s relentless pull against your home.
Do not panic the next moment you feel a slight incline underfoot, or see a stubborn door which won’t properly close. You’ll be prepared to face any foundational challenge head-on, or should I say “foot-down”? Armed with these tips (and hopefully no duct-tape), you won’t panic.
Re-building from the bottom is a great way to build or, should I say, to re-build.