How Foundation Underpinning Can Strengthen Your Home’s Foundation

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The foundation of a house is the most important element of structural integrity, and without a well functionsing foundation, even the best-built home can develop an array of expected issues, including small cracks in the wall to complete structural failure.

The foundation of a house can settle over time caused by soil settlement, water damage, and natural disasters. If the foundation has become damaged, foundation underpinning may become necessary to repair and correct the issues you have been experiencing and prevent further damage to your home.

In this article, we walk through the process of foundation underpinning and what it is, how it works, and how Jim Gardner Construction Inc. can be there to help keep your foundation strhengthened and keep your home, property, and investemment safe for as long as possible.

 

 

What is Underpinning for Foundations?

Underpinning is the process of repairing or strengthening the foundation of a building by deepening its foundation or enhancing its load-bearing capacity. Underpinning is used when a foundation can no longer support the building because of:

  • Soil settlement - Soil below a foundation can compress or shift, causing the foundation to settle or crack.
  • Water damage - Too much moisture can erode or weaken the materials under a foundation.
  • Bad construction - Sometimes the foundation is constructed poorly or was not designed to support the weight of the building.
  • Natural disasters - A foundation may be destabilized from an earthquake, flood, or soil movement.
  • Structural changes - Whenever a building is being changed, extra floor space or heavy equipment may change the load the foundation is designed to hold.

When considering underpinning, it should be considered a permanent solution, enhancing the foundation's strength and making the rest of the structure more stable.

Why Foundation Underpinning is Important for Your Home


Your home's foundation is the base for your entire home, so it is vital that it is stable and secure. Without that foundation, anything resting on the foundation is in jeopardy. Here are just a few reasons why foundation underpinning can be beneficial for your property:

1. Stops any further damage

Foundation issues, if not addressed, will continue to progress. When you start to see cracks in your walls, floors not level, or doors and windows that will not latch properly, those signs can often indicate a foundation problem. Foundation underpinning will stabilize the existing structure and stop it from deteriorating further, giving protection to your home from more issues it could face in the future.

2. Gives stability to the foundation

Foundation underpinning is effective in enhancing the load-bearing qualities of your home’s foundation that is already existing. By having an underpinning solution, the existing foundation will be able to sustain the weight of the home, and even if you ever decide to add an extra floor or an extension. The reinforced the foundation, the safeguard it will have for whatever you put above it.

3. Increases value of your property

The resale value of homes that have faulty foundations will often be significantly decreased. Many home buyers will hesitate to spend upon the advertisement and indicate that a faulty foundation has been repaired, and repairs by contractors of that requirement can be exorbitant. By investing in foundation underpinning you are augmenting the properties resale value, and by extension, marketability.

4. Shields Against Soil Movement

Moisture fluctuations, natural settling, and multiple other reasons can all cause soil underneath a home to shift. Soil movement can lead to cracks in the foundation, or gaps between the foundation and the framing. Underpinning will help anchor the foundation deeper into a more stable subsoil, and provide more support and lessening the impacts of soil movement.

5. Restores Confidence and Peace of Mind

A failing foundation creates anxiety and stress for homeowners. When ignoring the issue, worried thoughts are occupying your mind, and if not adequately addressed, these thoughts only compound this level of anxiety. Underpinning restores peace of mind, knowing your home is safe and structurally sound for your family. 

How Does Foundation Underpinning Work?

There are multiple ways to underpin a foundation. Which method is the best choice for your home depends on what issues need to be resolved. Here are some common underpinning methods:

1. Mass Concrete Underpinning

One of the oldest and most commonly used methods of underpinning is mass concrete underpinning. This method requires the excavation of soil under the existing foundation so that mass concrete can be poured to create new, deeper footings. This is an effective method to support homes that have shallow foundations and need strengthening.

2. Screw Pile Underpinning

Screw piles are steel shafts with helical plates that are drilled into the ground to provide support. This is a great underpinning technique for homes that are built in an area with untenable soil conditions or if you need to support or strengthen a foundation in a time-sensitive way.

3. Beam and Base Underpinning

Beams are installed under the foundation in this method, which gives evenly distributed underpinnings that transfer all the load to the soil.Existing foundations maynot be centered or may have undergone uneven settlement lead to beam and base underpinning method of choice.

4. Hydraulic Underpinning

Hydraulic underpinning involves hydraulic jacks and has the ability to both lift and stabilize the foundation . When the existing foundations are in a state of settled mediation, such as a slightly missed pour or having settled during the Earthquake, that can have us looking for support that is the "Real Deal", as we say.

What Decides Jim Gardner Construction Inc.?

Jim Gardner Construction Inc. is a top-tier foundation underpinning expert with a proven reputation for quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Here are three reasons why we are the experts you should trust to manage all your foundations:

1. Experience and Knowledge

Jim Gardner Construction Inc. has had extensive experience in construction for many years, varying in project size, scope, and type (Residential or commercial). We have completed numerous upgrades and underpinning projects with knowledge and skill, ensuring that each underpinning project is completed to the highest standards.

2. Unique Solutions

Not every foundation is the same, not every home is the same, and certainly, every home has different needs, that's why our team customizes solutions to meet your needs while providing solutions that provide the best possible outcomes on your building and a safe and stable foundation.

3. Highest Quality Materials and Equipment

We only use the highest quality materials and equipment (The latest) in all underpinning projects. This provides peace of mind that your foundation will be reaffirmed with long-lasting solutions.

4. Affordability

Foundation underpinning can be a huge investment, but here at Jim Gardner Construction Inc., we like to think we are competitive while offering a quality underpinning service. We will work with you to come up with the most cost-effective solution possible.

5. Customer Satisfaction

Our number one priority is the satisfaction and safety of our clients. We are very attentive to the needs of our homeowner clients during underpinning projects in order to make the process as seamless as possible, and we back our work with warranties and support for life! 

Conclusion

The stability of a home depends heavily on its foundation, and the foundation of your home is the most critical to its stability. Foundation underpinning is without a doubt the best and most reliable way to maintain or restore the stability of your home's property. If you're experiencing a foundation issue as a result of settlement of soil, damage caused by water, or any other issue, Jim Gardner Construction Inc. will be there to help you achieve and maintain the foundation of your home. Our team of experts at Jim Gardner Construction Inc. will evaluate the existing foundation and determine the most effective underpinning solution, giving you peace of mind and enhancing the strength of your home for many years to come.

If you're seeing signs of a foundation issue, or simply want to future-proof your home against future foundation issues, then won't hesitate to call Jim Gardner Construction Inc. for a consultation. Let us help you protect your greatest asset - your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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