Imagine yourself sipping your flat white in a trendy Melbourne cafe and noticing the floor underneath you feels uneven. Building experts may not see it as a problem, but you might. Underpinning isn’t just a fancy term thrown around by engineers; it’s the backbone–literally–of maintaining safe structures in our bustling city.
What exactly is underpinning the whole thing? Imagine that your home is like a good friend who has seen you through thick, thin and everything in between. Over the years, they’ve started to develop cracks both metaphorically and literally. The underpinning process is like giving your friend a pair of sturdy crutches that will help him stand taller again. It is the process that strengthens the foundation of a structure or building.
Why is Melbourne in such a hurry to get this? Melbourne’s soil is as unpredictable and unreliable as its weather. One minute, the soil is solid and the next it shifts like quicksand. These ground movements may cause buildings to settle unevenly. They can also lead to structural issues.
Let’s discuss methods. There’s more than just one way to do it go to my blog. Underpinning traditionally involves digging under the existing foundation before pouring concrete in order to create a new system of support. Consider it like buying your home some new shoes, with added cushioning. Then there is screw piling, which is a new twist on the traditional method of screwing piles into the soil to stabilize them from below.
Anyone ever say, “I’m as strong as an Ox”? With underpinning, we want to ensure your building can withstand whatever Mother Nature may throw at it. The road to success is not always straight forward. It takes a team of skilled workers and sharp-eyed minds to work together as if they were a well oiled machine.
When you see cracks appearing in the walls of your home or notice that your floors are sagging, you might be wondering if there is a simple solution. You can simply apply ducttape and call it good. Spoiler: it won’t be enough! Quick fixes don’t work. They only cover up the symptoms and can cause bigger problems down the line.
Melbourne has a lot of older homes, each with its own unique character. You can see this in the Victorian cottage of Mrs. Jenkins on my street. She noticed that last summer her doors stuck more than usual. After a quick inspection, it was discovered that the foundations of her home had shifted because soil moisture levels changed (thanks to the unpredictable weather again!). Underpinning work was performed by local specialists who are experts in their field. Before she knew it, her beautiful home was back to its best.
But let’s not kid ourselves–underpinning isn’t something you decide on after flipping through an issue of Better Homes & Gardens over brunch at St Kilda Beach. It is a serious issue that needs to be assessed by professionals with a thorough understanding of every aspect involved, from soil condition concerns all the way up to structural integrity issues.
But it does cost you money. Why not invest now, rather than pay double the amount later when those cracks grow into chasms that are a mile wide? The same as choosing between regular dental exams and having to deal with root canals in the future–prevention always wins!
This is a way to conclude without bringing anything to a conclusion. It is important to remember that underpinnings will keep Melbourne’s buildings stable and safe despite all the environmental challenges they face. This includes soil shifts caused by weather changes, as well wear and tear from decades past.
If you ever enjoy a latte while strolling down the street, think of what’s beneath those gorgeous heritage homes. It is this unsung hero that holds everything together in spite of all odds.