The Underpinning Process


Posted on June 28, 2022 by Noah Mitchell

If you plan to add stairs to the upper floors, construct activities on adjacent properties, or dig into
the ground, you will need to underpin the project. The soil beneath a house’s foundation can
cause it to be weak. A weak foundation can be identified by small cracks in walls, doors that are
loose from their sockets, uneven floors, and doors that are slammed out.
The most popular method of underpinning involves placing a concrete beam under the existing
footing. This transfers building weight to strategically-placed bases. Another option is to install
screw piles and brackets, which require trenching but are relatively inexpensive. Support
brackets attach to the screw piles as anchor points. These supports are placed beneath the
foundations and allow the building to be raised to a level place.
Underpinning is useful if the footings of your home have sunk or dropped, or if the soil
underneath has not yet been compacted and is unlikely to reverse itself. Foundations can also
be unreliable if there is not enough fill or too much soil. Those situations require underpinning.
To ensure an easy and painless underpinning process, contact a professional. The process will
begin at a corner of the foundation. It will then move inwards beneath the walls.
As it strengthens older homes’ foundations, underpinning is an important part in home
renovation. It helps increase the height of ceilings, increases the value of the property, and
allows for easy access to plumbing and gas lines. Underpinning will strengthen the foundations
and make the ground beneath your home stronger. This is the best method to ensure stability
for your home.
Underpinning, a common practice, will be performed on a large-scale. This process will require
the installation of micropiles and piers. These piers are used to strengthen the foundation of your
home. Installing these piers requires certified installers. Contact a certified contractor if you have
any questions about the local underpinning requirements. Afterward, you can call Intech
Anchoring to ask questions and schedule an appointment.
Underpinning will involve the removal of soil and may require the replacement of landscapes,
fences, or other features. Before you decide to hire a company, ask about their services. Get
multiple quotes so that you can compare the costs. There are also a lot of different things to
consider when you are hiring an underpinning contractor. You need to be familiar with the
process before you hire a contractor. This will ensure that the project is completed correctly.
Counterforce underpinning is an alternative to traditional underpinning methods. It doesn’t
require excavation or disruptive bulkwork. This method uses helical piles, which are anchored in
soil and raised to the proper height using hydraulic jacks. This is a good way to restore
foundation stability to foundations that have suffered settlement. There are several ways to
install the antiforce system.


Underpinning

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