Does your home lack stability?
How safe is your property? After your home has been built, you can have a reasonable expectation that it isn't going to move anywhere. However, if you notice cracks starting to appear in the property walls, or other signs around your home that there could be a foundation problem, it is wise to take action immediately. Foundation problems don't correct themselves. If you need to call underpinning services, the earlier they can rectify the problem, the easier it will be to carry out the work.
Working with underpinning services
When you call a company providing underpinning services, you must ensure that you work with qualified and experienced people. Your home is probably the most expensive thing that you own. You can't afford to make a mistake and end up with a home that you can no longer use. Here are two steps that you must take to ensure that your home benefits from the underpinning services that it needs.
Ask for a survey
Sometimes, it can be easy to look at the damage and to think you know what is causing the problem. While you could be right, it's also possible that you could be wrong. Maybe, you think that underpinning services are needed when the damage has been caused by a stray tree root or a blocked drain. It is only by commissioning a proper survey that the extent and the cause of the damage can be accurately determined. A structural engineer or a surveyor can work out what is happening below ground level and ensure that the work carried out by the underpinning services company is the most suitable foundation work for your problem.
Select the best solution
A survey can only tell you what the problem is. It is the responsibility of the underpinning services company to determine what the best solution is. They must know how to prevent further damage from occurring and how to rectify existing damage. Ask the company about their experience with similar problems and find out what solutions they recommended in those situations. When the company makes a recommendation to you, check that they have adequately considered the weight of the building, the height of the water table, and all of the other relevant factors when making their choice. Underpinning isn't a job that you want to repeat in a few years. You must have a solution that will ensure the stability of your home for the longer term.
