Even the strongest of foundations won’t last forever. Rain, snow, and soil shifts can cause the foundation to shift and compromise its structural integrity. As a consequence, it may no longer support the house adequately. Installing a new foundation might not be doable, but underpinning the foundation is a feasible workaround.
Foundation underpinning is also known as foundation reinforcement. It typically consists of piers pushed underneath the building at a certain depth. Once these steel components are in place, brackets are used to secure and immobilize the foundation, making it less prone to shifting. The result is a more stable property that can endure adverse soil conditions.
Foundation underpinning is the light at the end of the tunnel for many Baltimore properties. Additional foundation support is always welcome, especially when weather conditions challenge the structure. All houses can benefit from this installation, but here are a few most common use cases:
Ground settling: Land that has settled puts the foundation under enormous pressure, and it can drag some of the foundation with it. As a result, certain parts of the house will dip lower than others. Underpinning raises the foundation to its original height.
Large trees are nearby: Dry soil tends to leave a gap, which also causes foundations to settle. One of the main culprits is large tree roots looking for moisture. By underpinning a foundation, the owner can keep roots from causing trouble.
Poor drainage: Some drainage solutions do more harm than good, directing moisture toward the foundation rather than away. Foundation underpinning allows the house to cope with this additional pressure.
Renovations: Painting a room doesn’t require foundation underpinning, but more extensive renovations do. For example, the foundation might not be strong enough to support an addition built onto the current home. Fortunately, underpinning ensures the foundation can bear the additional weight.
While many think that foundation repair and underpinning are the same, there are a few differences between the two:
More specific: Foundation underpinning is a sub-type of foundation repair. It’s just one of the methods used to restore foundations to their original condition.
Requires piers: To underpin a foundation, professionals rely on so-called piers. They’re either helical, push, or concrete.
It usually takes more than a month: Generally, an average foundation underpinning project takes four to six weeks.
Broad term: Foundation repair includes many techniques, including foundation underpinning.
Can require more than piers: Foundation repair can go beyond piers. It can also include C-channels, epoxy sealing, and carbon fiber staples.
It can take a few days or a few months: Some foundation repairs are straightforward and take just a few days. More complex projects can easily take several months.
Foundation underpinning is a long project. However, it can take even longer if the owner doesn’t use appropriate tools and techniques. Even worse, they can do more harm than good if they don’t take every factor into account, such as soil conditions. Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake make none of those mistakes. We’re fully committed to ensuring every Baltimore house has a stable foundation. Our underpinning methods are comprehensive and the best way to prepare your home for future challenges.
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Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
