Homeowners oftentimes don’t pay much attention to the foundation of their properties, usually taking no action until an issue arises. However, they should prioritize maintenance of the foundation. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, twisters, and erosion are all reasons to make sure the foundation is properly constructed, no matter if the building was recently built or has stood for hundreds of years. Everything in a building rest on the foundation, and in certain conditions, floods can occur, causing shifts in the foundation. The foundation may not be able to handle such movements, potentially leading to a breakdown or collapse of the structure. When this happens, the building’s integrity is compromised, leading to costly repairs.
Many people do not think about the base of their residence until a difficulty arises. But it should be the primary goal for everybody to make sure it is in good condition. Natural occurrences like floods, landslides, tornadoes, earthquakes and typhoons make it even more essential to guarantee the foundation of your house is structurally sound, regardless of if the home is new or has been around for centuries. The entire building is maintained by the foundation and the land conditions can cause flooding, leading to adjustments which the base may not be able to manage. When this occurs, the framework is put in danger and costly repairs may be needed.
Methods Used To Strengthen The Foundation Of Existing Structures
It is impossible to always prevent the erosion of the basis, however it is prudent to carry out regular inspections and take care of it before matters get worse. If a serious hazard is identified, it should be reinforced immediately. Here are a few methods to do this.
- Underpinning. Underpinning is a technique used to reinforce a foundation that has been weakened by damage or to add more depth to it. This is accomplished by either permanent or temporary support systems installed under the preexisting foundation to increase its bearing capacity and depth. This process is necessary when the adjacent structure has a deep foundation, or when a shallow foundation needs to be deepened. It is also utilized to build a basement, to reinforce a settled foundation, and to deepen the existing foundation. There are several types of underpinning:
- Mass Concrete. The foundation is excavated in sections below the footing, then concrete is placed into each exposed pit. This process is repeated until the area is completely underpinned.
- The Base And Beam Method. This process is comparable to the mass concrete technique. It entails putting a reinforced concrete beam underneath an existing footing, which enables the load of the construction to be transferred to concrete bases located in strategic places.
- Screw Piles and Brackets. A relatively cost-effective form of underpinning, screw piles and brackets are employed when more traditional underpinning conditions are unsuitable, usually due to extensive excavation work.
- Piled Raft. This method is not commonly used because it is employed in situations where the whole building needs to be underpinned. This method may be used if the foundation is too deep for other methods or if the soil is too hard.
- Jacketing. When a wall needs to be reinforced due to an extra load, such as an expansion, it’s necessary to increase the strength of certain sections. This calls for the construction team to devise a sturdy coating that is applied onto the pre-existing base of the structure. This will guarantee that the wall is capable of bearing the added weight.
- House Lifting Modeling. This method will prevent floods from damaging the building. This process is also referred to as building jacketing; it involves the removal of the structure of the building from the foundation and raising it with screw jacks. Structures that need to be relocated or whose foundations need to be improved can benefit from it.
- Mudjacking. A technique for strengthening the base of limited space areas such as stairways, narrow concrete areas and verandas is available. This method involves injecting cement and additional materials into minute openings in the concrete. As the material spreads, the slab that is not in the right position can be elevated.
Advantages Of Foundation Strengthening
It cannot be stressed enough how beneficial foundation strengthening can be. Strengthening the foundation increases the sturdiness of a building, as well as its value for real estate agents and owners. Without making sure the foundation is solid, it can be difficult to find someone who wants to purchase the property.
Final Words
It is necessary to remember that the strategy you pick to reinforce the structure may vary from one design to another based on the design qualities of the structure. Thus, it is wise to examine the situation before settling on a choice. To achieve this, employing a specialist to review your building and give you the most ideal guidance is ideal. These specialists will investigate the unmistakable indications of the weakening foundation and will decide which techniques will bring about the best outcomes. If you need a proficient and dependable group for ecological and development services, Meridian is available to meet your requirements.