Various factors can affect your decision to proceed with your foundation underpinning project. However, the top thing on your priority list should be safety. Adhering to safety precautions during underpinning projects is paramount. Some of the crucial safety precautions your foundation underpinning contractor should observe include, but are not limited to, the following;
Surveying Adjoining Buildings
While you might choose to serve your neighbours notices informing them of your upcoming underpinning project, that alone might not be enough. Your underpinning contractor should also perform a thorough assessment of adjoining structures. Often, the foundation underpinning process for your property might, in various ways, impact adjoining structures, the primary reason conducting a survey is necessary.
Minimising Imposed Load
Reducing the amount of applied load will aid in making the underpinning process safer and more efficient. While some underpinning contractors might not oversee this process, you can always count on their experience and expertise regarding best practices while reducing imposed loads. They will share insights into what you should remove or move before the project commences.
Safety Dealing with Utility Lines
Your underpinning specialist can locate, track and establish safety measures to protect essential utility lines, including electrical, water and gas pipes. Tampering with such essential utilities during the underpinning project can result in safety hazards, not to mention the costly repairs and restorations you might incur.
Additionally, your underpinning contractor might identify potential leakage and recommend appropriate repairs. For instance, it might be a considerable concern if flooding occurs during pit underpinning. Underground electrical cables are also a significant concern that you must address with extreme caution.
Installation of Non-Permanent Support
Ensuring short-term or temporary support might be necessary before commencing any underpinning project. However, this might depend on various factors on your property. Your underpinning contractor can install temporary shoring, which sometimes isn't only installed on your building but also on adjacent structures. Your contractor might also consider timber or steel shoring, depending on the load capacity requiring support.
Final Thoughts
If you notice cracked walls, uneven floors, leaning structures or difficulty closing or opening your doors, your property could need some underpinning. Underpinning is an excellent way of reinforcing weaker foundations using timber, concrete or metal supports.
However, underpinning projects require the skills and expertise of an experienced contractor. Besides, never overlook the safety of your underpinning team, family and neighbours. As discussed above, consider these four precautions to guarantee higher safety standards during the underpinning process.
Contact a professional for more information about underpinning.
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