Dos and don'ts of underpinning

Is the pillar of your house damaged? Are you planning to renovate your basement? Do you want to expand the space of your home? We offer you underpinning.

This method is the only suitable solution for you.

Sometimes the landlord plans to change the basement usage, or he needs to strengthen the foundation to change the building. Maybe your neighbour wants to build a big building with a deep foundation. It would be best if you strengthened yours to protect your home from any damage in the future.

The next problem can be the settlement of the building. You may see cracks in the wall or next to the windows. These are the signs of weakening of the pillars, and they need more strength.

In all the examples mentioned, the building needs underpinning. But its prerequisite is excavation, which is complicated and will make the situation difficult for the landlord.

If you get help from a reputable company, like WETFIX Company, to do the underpinning, you won't have any problems. A person with expertise in this field will strengthen the foundation of your house and will not allow irreparable damage to your home and capital by following the principles and performing the correct methods.

In this article, we will introduce you to the dos and don'ts of underpinning so that, in addition to gaining complete knowledge of this renovation method, you will know how a reliable contractor can help you to do these things without defects and problems.

Correct underpinning procedures

The underpinning has several methods we should choose according to the type of building problems and the need to do it.

The choice of underpinning method also depends on the house's foundation. You may need to use only one form, or you may want to use two ways at the same time.

You should pay attention to the type of existing foundation, the amount of excavation, the cost and time of the project, and the local permits and regulations.

There are three types of underpinning methods:

• Mass Pouring
• Beam and Base Method
• Pile Method

The first method does not require a lot of digging; therefore, it is simple and inexpensive. We can say that the mass pouring method is the most common and the oldest one that will be suitable for shallow foundations. This method uses a simple excavation in the foundation's weak soil, filled with resistant concrete.

You can use the Beam and Base method if you intend to put more load on the structure. In this method, the beams are placed below, above, and inside the foundation so that the load is spread evenly on the mass concrete base.

Experts determine the beam's position and size based on the foundation type and the structure's architecture in this method.

Some buildings are built on clay soil or in a flooded area. We should use the pile Method to strengthen this type of foundation.

Access to the foundation of a structure may also be limited. In this situation, the only solution to do underpinning is the pile method.

Experts drive piles at equal distances along the wall, which helps to reduce the load on the existing foundation. Sometimes, the pile is steel, which is later filled with concrete.

Common mistakes in the infrastructure process

Yes, the underpinning will strengthen the foundation of your structure, but only if it is done correctly. A small mistake is enough for the entire structure to be damaged and your total investment to be lost.

If you do not use the proper foundation and temporary solid support for the old structure, the underpinning can cause the entire building to collapse. This danger can also threaten neighbouring houses.

A reliable underpinning company, such as WETFIX, to carry out basic foundation-strengthening projects first conducts a detailed assessment of the project site and presents its report to the homeowner. The company also inspects nearby structures to prevent collapse during or after construction.

A professional subcontractor always tries to reduce the load on the structure. As a result, it eliminates accidents caused by drilling and the collapse of the frame.

Cost and time required for underpinning

The first challenge for any homeowner who wants to do underpinning will be the project's cost. There is no exact answer to that question. But by carefully evaluating the foundation and the condition of the existing structure, the company can reasonably estimate the required cost to the owner.

The cost of each part of the underpinning, such as mapping, drilling, and obtaining permits, will differ. The contractor should determine the required excavation levels, foundation arrangements, plans, details for moving or extending load-bearing walls, the extent of excavation, and the amount of concrete.

The underpinning may be complex and expensive, and the homeowner's life may become disordered. But by strengthening the foundation and changing the use of your basement, you will increase the value of your property and have a significant return on investment.

If you entrust the underpinning project to a reliable and specialized company, the value of your property will increase.

The cost of the infrastructure depends on the type of base required for the structure and the number of pins needed based on the amount of work. For example, the cost of repairs and underpinning for a 10-foot wall will be up to $5,000. An expert will provide you with a more accurate cost estimate by evaluating the structure, its foundation, and the time required to complete the project.

The company can determine the time required to complete the underpinning project by examining the time required to obtain the permit, which is about 25 to 30 days, and the complexity of the work. This time will also differ based on the amount of work and the year's season during which we will do the project.

The importance of a reliable contractor

Your home's foundation is a massive investment because it keeps your home stable. If you leave its repairs and modifications to amateurs, you have gambled away your entire investment.

If the subcontractor performs poorly, the possibility of the structure sinking is very high, and the whole house will collapse.

The WETFIX Company is ​​a reliable and licensed company with 30 years of experience in underpinning, waterproofing, and sump pump installation. The experts of this company will carefully identify the structural repairs needed for your foundation and recommend the correct solution. As an experienced contractor, you never have to worry about permits because this company will do all the work for you.