Underpinning a home is a big project you should only take on if you actually need it for your home. Here’s a look at some of the common reasons why you should use underpinning for your home.
The Soil Changed
Good construction takes the soil into account when building a foundation, so you should never have problems there. But sometimes, the soil will shift and change as time wears on, which can cause instability in your home and foundation. Underpinning is a great way to get that stability back.
Need To Strengthen the Foundation
Sometimes, a building needs to undergo a big renovation or reconstruction, which may call for a stronger foundation. This is uncommon, but if you plan on putting a lot more weight onto a foundation, you may need underpinning for houses to strengthen the foundation so it doesn’t sink or shift under the added pressure.
Unusual Events of Instability
The ground under a foundation is normally very stable and won’t shift, but sometimes a major event causes a quick change in the ground. There are many causes for these events, and they’ll be hard to miss if they do come about. Some natural examples include larger earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornados. If you ever experience one of these near or around your home, you should check your foundation’s stability. There are also some manmade events that can cause instability in the ground, like major construction or soil excavation nearby. All these factors can cause ground instability and are great reasons to use underpinning in your house.
If you ever notice that your foundation isn’t as strong as it should be, or you need extra strength for any reason, underpinning is a great way to get a better foundation. However, it’s important to note that most people won’t ever need underpinning for their foundation unless something shifts drastically.
