The British public have always loved a bit of DIY, especially now that we are facing stay at home orders. Over the past 11 months, Brits have decided to take on more and more of their own projects with the amount of free time we all now have. However, DIY underpinning and foundations can lead to a multitude of problems. Committing to doing your own foundation means putting the structural integrity of that building in your hands.
The foundation of any structure can make or break the building and we’ve seen many projects fall through because people wanted to do it themselves. So much so, that we’ve come up with a list of the most common problems we see when people have tried to lay their own foundation. At Dart & Co we provide all of our clients with an engineering design team of experts to find the best foundation for your project. Doing it yourself might seem to be a fun challenge at first, however to ensure the longevity of your building- call an expert.
Bad Signs in DIY Foundations & Underpinning
A poor foundation will begin to show itself almost immediately. If you have any concerns about the integrity of your foundation, do not begin building! As an expensive investment, you don’t want your foundation to negatively affect the longevity of the structure you’re building. The following are common signs of a poor foundation, if you begin to notice any of these issues you should contact a professional as soon as possible. Structural problems can be extremely costly, hence it’s better to catch them sooner rather than later.
At Dart & Co we use underpinning to strengthen the foundation of an already existing structure. Therefore, if you notice any of the following issues in your building you may require underpinning.
Sinking and Settling
One of the most telltale signs of a poorly laid foundation is how it settles. If the foundation has been properly adapted to the soil underneath it should remain sturdy. When the foundation is laid on soil that isn’t dense enough, without the necessary anchoring, the structure will start to sink. This can lead to an eventual collapse, which nobody wants. This is why we strongly recommend a professional; they can carry out a soil survey and design your foundation as such.
Cracks in Walls
Commonly, cracks in your walls are a sign of a bad foundation. Especially in large structures, cracks will begin to appear in your walls where the foundation cannot hold the weight.
Wobbly Foundations
This might go without saying, but before you start building on any foundation make sure it’s straight. Tree roots can cause bumps and cracks in a foundation, which will eventually begin to detriment your structure. Furthermore, some soils require deeper anchoring and when this isn’t done, the foundation will sink in certain areas.
Should I Lay My Own Foundation?
DIY sounds fun at first. While using your own two hands to build an extension or garden shed can be incredibly rewarding, is it the right thing to do? From a professional perspective, definitely not. The foundation will make or break your structure. Regarding longevity, a well engineered foundation can be the difference between a sturdy structure that lasts for decades and a building that requires maintenance after only a few years.
Furthermore, when you’re working with concrete you need to work quickly and effectively. As soon as concrete is laid it will begin to dry. Meaning that if you notice any problems after you’ve already laid the foundation, you’re going to have a costly fix on your hands. To avoid extraneous costs to your project, we would really recommend using a professional foundation company to assure you of the structural integrity of the building. Our experts will supply all the necessary equipment and machinery, meaning no expensive renting costs. Also, Dart & Co understand that your budget is important, hence we will always attempt to match or beat any other quote.
While it may seem expensive to hire a professional to lay your foundation, you will be saving thousands in the long term. A professional will be able to offer you a warranty, extended support and expertise to help you bring your project to life.
DIY Underpinning
If you’ve noticed structural issues in your home then you might require underpinning to strengthen your foundation. Underpinning involves extending the foundation so that it rests on a more supportive system. It may be a more cost-effective solution to improve the current foundation of the building than constructing a new one. Understanding how to properly solve a foundation problem is key to solving the issue. Sometimes, underpinning may be required if the soil underneath the foundation has changed, other times the original foundation is simply not strong enough. A professional underpinning specialist will be able to choose the right method by analysing all the properties of the soil and groundwork. Despite this, some may consider opting for a DIY underpinning job.
Types of Underpinning
There are three common methods of underpinning;
- Concrete underpinning
- Beams
- Piling
While there are lots of different methods, these three are the most commonly used. All three have different benefits and will solve different problems. Therefore, it’s important to have an expert understanding of your foundation’s problem before you begin your own DIY underpinning project. There are lots of mistakes you can make when underpinning your own existing foundation. For example, you may begin underpinning in the wrong place or you might not even need underpinning at all! By having an expert survey the problem, they can instantly tell you of the right solution. Similar to laying your own foundation, if underpinning is done incorrectly you can expect costly fixes later on.
When choosing your piling contractor, you should look for quality. A good contractor will include a warranty with their underpinning, as well as expert advice and information on available to you as the customer. You want to ensure that whoever you hire has a substantial amount of expertise and experience, as well as all the machinery and equipment necessary for the job.
Dart & Co are an independent firm, who have successfully completed thousands of projects across the UK and Ireland. Our team of contractors and sub-contractors work with some of the best-known names in the construction industry. Our piling and foundation services cannot be matched on commercial, domestic and industrial construction projects. We are reliable, dynamic and looking forward to hearing about your project. Get in touch with us for a no-obligation quote or just some general advice.